Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of autumn with this moist and delicious Apple Fritter Bread. It’s like a cross between a cinnamon-sugar-coated apple fritter and a tender loaf of bread, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients:
- For the Bread:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled and diced
- For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter.
- For the optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or apple juice.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Apples and Dry Ingredients:
- Peel and dice the apples into small, even pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- In a shallow dish, combine the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.
- Melt the 1/4 cup of butter in a seperate bowl.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Generously brush the top of the batter with the melted butter.
- Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the buttered top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Glaze:
- While the bread cools, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or apple juice), and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread.
- Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips and Variations:
- For extra flavor, you can sauté the diced apples in a little butter and cinnamon before adding them to the batter.
- Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added texture.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- For a deeper apple flavor, you can add 1/4 cup of applesauce into the wet ingredients.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly decadent dessert.
Enjoy your delicious Country Apple Fritter Bread!