Description
Warm, spiced Apple Cinnamon Delight Loaf brings comfort from first bite. Fragrant notes of cinnamon and sweet apples create a perfect companion for morning coffee or afternoon tea, inviting friends and family to savor each delectable slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) peeled and diced apples
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) unsalted butter, softened
Sweeteners:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) granulated sugar for the cinnamon swirl
Flavor and Binding Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon for the cinnamon swirl
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coating a 9×5-inch (23×13 centimeters) loaf pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain and ingredients are evenly distributed.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume.
- Crack eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, homogeneous blend. Pour in whole milk and pure vanilla extract, mixing until completely integrated.
- Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the loaf’s tender texture.
- Carefully fold diced apples into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Create a cinnamon swirl by mixing additional granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture over the batter and use a knife to create elegant marbled patterns.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick or thin knife into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow the loaf to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, which helps it set and prevents breaking when removing.
- Carefully turn out the loaf onto a wire cooling rack, allowing it to cool completely for approximately 1 hour before slicing to maintain structural integrity.
Notes
- Softened butter ensures a smoother, more even mixing of ingredients, creating a tender and moist loaf texture.
- Dice apples uniformly to guarantee consistent baking and prevent some pieces from becoming too soft or undercooked.
- Swirling cinnamon sugar creates beautiful marbling effects and adds delightful pockets of sweet, spicy flavor throughout the loaf.
- Use room temperature eggs for better integration and to prevent the batter from becoming lumpy or separating.
- Cool the loaf completely before slicing to maintain structural integrity and prevent crumbling.
- Check doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center, which should come out clean without wet batter clinging to it.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg