Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of fall with this Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf. This moist and fluffy loaf is infused with sweet apples and a delightful cinnamon swirl, making it perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Whether served warm with butter or toasted with a drizzle of honey, this loaf is sure to become a favorite in your home.
Ingredients
- For the Loaf:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar)
- 1 cup peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the Apples: Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed.
- Layer the Batter: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture on top. Add the remaining batter and finish with the rest of the cinnamon swirl mixture, swirling gently with a knife or toothpick.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your delicious Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf!
Tips
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped nuts or raisins to the batter.
- This loaf can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for a week. It also freezes well for longer storage.
Enjoy your baking adventure!