There’s something magical about the aroma of cinnamon and apples wafting through your kitchen on a cozy morning. This Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread brings together the best of both worlds – the comfort of a traditional apple fritter and the convenience of a quick bread. Inspired by classic bakery favorites, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a masterpiece of swirled cinnamon and tender apple pieces, all crowned with a delicate vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1¾ cups (219g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (5g) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5g) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (2.6g) ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- ⅓ cup (79ml) whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 1 medium apple (about 120g), cored and diced into ½-inch chunks
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons (5.2g) ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon (15g) melted butter
For the Vanilla Glaze:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C)
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper
- Leave paper overhang for easy removal
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon
- Set aside
- Prepare Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar
- Whisk until well incorporated
- Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract
- Beat until smooth and consistent
- Combine Mixtures
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients
- Mix until just combined
- Fold in diced apples gently
- Create Cinnamon Swirl
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl
- Pour half the batter into prepared pan
- Sprinkle with half the cinnamon-sugar mixture
- Add remaining batter
- Top with remaining cinnamon-sugar
- Use a knife to create swirls throughout
- Bake
- Bake for 45-50 minutes
- Test with toothpick for doneness
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes
- Transfer to wire rack
- Glaze
- Mix powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla
- Drizzle over cooled bread
Nutritional Information
(Per slice, assuming 12 slices)
- Calories: 265
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 38mg
- Sodium: 185mg
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 26g
- Protein: 3g
Timing:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Pro Tips and Tricks
- Use cold apples for better distribution in the batter
- Room temperature eggs and milk create a smoother batter
- Don’t overmix the batter to ensure tender crumb
- Tent with foil if top browns too quickly
- Test doneness in center, not just edges
Variations and Substitutions
- Apple Options: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn work best
- Milk Alternatives: Buttermilk or plant-based milk
- Sugar Options: Replace brown sugar with coconut sugar
- Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Add-Ins: Chopped nuts, raisins, or cranberries
Common FAQs
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Bake up to 2 days ahead and store in an airtight container. Glaze just before serving.
Q: Why did my bread sink in the middle?
A: This usually happens from opening the oven door too soon or overmixing the batter.
Q: Can I freeze this bread?
A: Absolutely! Wrap unglazed bread tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
Q: How do I know when it’s done?
A: A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, and the top should be golden brown.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Counter Storage: Up to 3 days in airtight container
- Refrigerator: Up to 1 week, wrapped tightly
- Freezer: Up to 3 months, double-wrapped unglazed
- Make-Ahead: Prepare batter night before, refrigerate, bring to room temperature before baking