If you love the cozy, comforting flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples baked into a soft, moist bread, then this Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe is going to become your new favorite treat. Imagine all the warm, nostalgic aromas of apple fritters captured in a loaf you can slice and share, complete with a sweet glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch. This recipe brings together tender chunks of apple, a generous dusting of cinnamon sugar, and a simple yet irresistible glaze to create a homemade bread that feels like a sweet hug in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering just a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is all you need to whip up this delightful apple bread. Each one plays a vital role in balancing flavor, moisture, and texture to bring your loaf to life.
- Nonstick cooking spray: To ensure your loaf comes out of the pan cleanly without sticking.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings that classic warming spice essential for apple desserts.
- Two apples (peeled and chopped): Fresh apples lend juicy bursts of flavor and texture throughout the bread.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create a delicate crust.
- Butter (softened): Adds richness and keeps the bread tender.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors with a hint of warmth.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the loaf for a perfectly soft crumb.
- Baking powder: Helps the bread rise for a light texture.
- Milk or almond milk: Keeps the bread moist and mixes the dry ingredients smoothly.
- Powdered sugar: The main ingredient in your sweet glaze for that final irresistible touch.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
How to Make Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with nonstick cooking spray to make sure your bread lifts out easily once baked.
Step 2: Mix Your Cinnamon Sugar and Prepare Apples
In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon — this trio is what creates those signature apple fritter swirls. Toss the peeled, chopped apples in a couple of tablespoons of granulated sugar. This adds sweetness and helps to slightly soften the apples during baking.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar, Add Eggs and Vanilla
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter with the remaining granulated sugar until the mixture turns fluffy and pale. This step is essential for a light texture. Then, incorporate the eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly before adding the next. Finally, stir in your vanilla extract for that warm, aromatic lift.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. The baking powder ensures your bread has the perfect rise and tender crumb, while the salt keeps the sweetness in check.
Step 5: Alternate Mixing Dry Ingredients and Milk Into Batter
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture while alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry mixture. Take care not to overmix — this will keep your bread soft rather than dense.
Step 6: Layer the Batter, Cinnamon Sugar, and Apples
Pour half of your batter into the prepared pan, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top. Layer half of the sugared apples over this. Repeat these layers with the remaining batter, cinnamon sugar, and apples, creating those beautiful pockets of cinnamon-sweet apple throughout.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden and Done
Place your loaf in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. This step is crucial for ensuring your loaf is cooked perfectly inside.
Step 8: Cool and Drizzle the Glaze
Let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. In the meantime, mix powdered sugar with a little milk until you reach a smooth, drizzling consistency. Pour this sweet glaze generously over the cool bread for that classic apple fritter finishing touch.
Step 9: Slice and Enjoy Your Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe
Once glazed, slice your bread and prepare to savor a truly comforting and flavorful experience.
How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of extra powdered sugar or a small pat of butter melted on each warm slice enhances the sweetness and richness even further. Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top make a beautiful garnish that adds an exciting crunch.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea — perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Serve alongside vanilla yogurt or a scoop of cinnamon ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bread into cubes and serving them skewered with apple rounds and drizzled with honey for a fun and interactive dessert. You can also toast slices lightly and spread with cream cheese mixed with a touch of honey for a creamy, tangy twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover apple fritter bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This helps the bread retain its moisture and flavor.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe later, wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It will keep perfectly for up to two months in the freezer.
Reheating
To warm your bread slices, pop them in a toaster oven or microwave for short intervals until heated through. This refreshes the soft texture and brings back the freshly baked aroma.
FAQs
Can I use any type of apple for this bread?
Absolutely! Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best as they hold their shape and add a nice balance to the sweetness.
Can I substitute the butter with oil?
Yes, you can substitute butter with an equal amount of vegetable or canola oil for a dairy-free option, but the flavor will be slightly different and the texture may be a bit denser.
Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free baking?
To make the Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe gluten-free, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Just keep in mind that texture might vary slightly depending on the flour blend.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the recipe?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins make delicious additions to the batter, adding extra texture and flavor that complements the apples beautifully.
How thick should I slice the bread?
Slicing the bread about 3/4-inch thick is ideal — thick enough to hold together well, but thin enough to enjoy the balance of glaze, cinnamon sugar, and apple in every bite.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe is one of those special treats that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly day. It’s easy to make, comforting to eat, and sure to become a beloved favorite whether you enjoy it for breakfast, dessert, or anytime in between. Trust me, once you try baking this, you’ll be excited to share it with friends and family again and again.
Print
Apple Fritter Bread with Cinnamon and Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings (1 loaf)
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Apple Fritter Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf packed with tender apple pieces, layers of cinnamon sugar, and finished with a sweet powdered sugar glaze. This delightful apple bread makes a perfect breakfast treat or a comforting dessert any time of the day.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the pan
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 apples (any kind), peeled and chopped
- 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup plus 1 to 3 tablespoons milk or almond milk
For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Milk (enough to achieve drizzling consistency, approximately 1-2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar and Prepare Apples: In a small bowl, combine light brown sugar and ground cinnamon and set aside. Toss the chopped apples with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar to add sweetness and enhance moisture, then set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and the remaining granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This helps incorporate air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract to add flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to ensure even distribution.
- Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the bread.
- Layer the Batter with Cinnamon Sugar and Apples: Spread half of the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter, then layer half of the sugared chopped apples. Repeat layering with the remaining batter, cinnamon sugar, and apples for a lovely swirl effect.
- Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool and Glaze: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Mix the powdered sugar with just enough milk to create a drizzle-able glaze, then drizzle it over the cooled bread for a sweet finish.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the Apple Fritter Bread and enjoy it fresh as a delicious breakfast treat, snack, or dessert.
Notes
- You can use any variety of apples, but tart apples like Granny Smith or Fuji offer a nice balance to the sweet bread.
- Adjust the milk quantity slightly if needed to achieve the right batter consistency and glaze drizzle thickness.
- Store leftover bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a dairy-free option, use almond milk and a dairy-free butter substitute.
- Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can add an enjoyable crunch to the bread.
