Apple Pie Yeast Bread: A Sweet Pull-Apart Loaf
This apple pie yeast bread combines the sweet and comforting flavors of apple pie with a soft and rich yeasted dough. It’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. I love apples, and I try making as many apple recipes as possible in the fall. This particular recipe requires patience! You have to allow the dough to rise properly.
Apple Pie Yeast Bread
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour may need more
- 1½ teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons butter softened to room temp
- ⅓ cup water
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
For the Apple Filling
- 3 apples
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Optional Garnish
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cubes
- Sesame seeds or Swedish pearl sugar
- Sugar (if using sesame seeds)
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Instructions
- Make dough. Mix the dough ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well using a wooden spoon. If the mixture seems too sticky to handle, add more flour until a dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but not too hard to work with. Knead into a soft dough by hand or machine. Dough is finished kneading when smooth and stretchy.
- Rise. Cover with a clean, damp tea towel and leave the dough in a warm place to rise. It will not double in size but should become noticeably puffier. This will take at least 1 hour.
- Prepare apple mixture. While the dough rises, wash, peel, and dice the apples. Mix apples, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a bowl. Mix gently and set aside.
- Cook apples. Heat a deep pot over medium heat and add the apples. Cook until soft. Note: If they start to burn, add 2 tbsp of water. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare a bread pan. Prepare a bread loaf pan by liberally coating it with oil or cooking spray.
- Divide dough. After the dough has doubled, divide it into 12 equal balls.
- Flatten, fill, and fold. Roll each ball into a circle about 2-3 inches in diameter and ¼ inch thick. Add some of the apple filling and fold in half. Place in the prepared loaf pan with the filled side down. Repeat the step with each ball of dough.
- Second rise. Arrange the dough balls in the loaf bread pan and set aside for at least 45 minutes or until increased in size.
- Prepare oven. Preheat oven to 375F.
- Garnish bread (optional). Add cubed butter to the top and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sugar.
- Bake and cool. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the apple bread from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before removing it from the loaf pan. Then, leave it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
You know those recipes that feel like a warm hug on a chilly day? This recipe is one of those for me. It’s simple to make (mostly off-hand, letting the dough rise), and the smell of cinnamon and apple baking is pure heaven.
My family goes crazy for it, and it always makes the house feel extra cozy. I have a feeling it’ll become a favorite in your home, too! I like to enjoy this with a warm caramel apple latte (I told you I like apples).
Key Ingredients and Tools
The right tools and ingredients can make a big difference in your baking. Here are a few things you’ll want to pay close attention to for this recipe:
- Instant Yeast. This type of yeast doesn’t need to be proofed (activated in warm water) before using, which saves time. You’ll usually find it near the other dry yeasts in the baking aisle.
- Apples. Tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best in this recipe, as their flavor holds up well during baking. You can use a sweeter variety like Gala or Fuji if you’d rather have a sweeter bread.
- Tea Towel. A clean, damp tea towel is essential for covering the dough while it rises. This helps to prevent the dough from drying out.
Now you’re prepared to bake a delicious loaf!
Troubleshooting and Help
Oh no! Don’t worry. It happens to the best of us. Here are a few things to check:
Yeast: Was your yeast fresh? Old yeast might be the culprit.
Temperature: Did you use warm water for the dough? Water that’s too hot can kill the yeast, and water that’s too cold won’t activate it properly. Aim for lukewarm.
Environment: Is the dough rising in a warm, draft-free place? Yeast needs a cozy environment to do its thing.
Hmm, a few things could cause that. Overbaking is a common one, so make sure to check the bread a little early. You could add a tablespoon or two of extra butter or oil to the dough for added moisture. And don’t forget to let the bread cool completely before slicing – this helps it retain moisture.
You absolutely can experiment with different flours! Remember that whole wheat flour will absorb more liquid, so you might need to add a bit more water to the dough. You could also try a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat for a slightly nuttier flavor.
If you have any more questions, leave me a comment below, and I’ll be happy to help.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe that will fill your home with the most amazing aroma. I hope you try this recipe and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of apple pie in a slice of soft and fluffy bread. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends or enjoying a special treat for yourself.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.