Kristen L
May 06, 2021

If you’ve never had apple bread before, you’re in for a real treat.

Slathered with rich, creamy cinnamon butter, this bread will practically melt in your mouth! The strong, warming flavor of the cinnamon mixed with the sweetness of apple makes the perfect combination.

Combined with the fluffy, thick bread, this recipe will win the approval of your taste buds.

Apple bread is believed to have originated in France in the 1860s. Since it only required apples, flour, and yeast, its simplicity and affordability made it quite famous.

While this recipe calls for a few more ingredients, it still doesn’t require too many steps. It would help if you had a little elbow grease to knead the dough and perhaps a bit of patience.

How to make apple bread topped with cinnamon butter

Without further ado, we’ll tell you how to make homemade apple bread with a delicious cinnamon butter spread.

What you’ll need:

Large mixing bowl

Two smaller bowls

Large wooden or silicone spoon

Plastic wrap

Cutting board

Knife

Baking dish

Paper towel

Hand mixer

Ingredients for the apple bread:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp instant yeast

Pinch of salt

1 3/4 cup cool water

Three medium-sized apples

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp olive oil

Ingredients for the cinnamon butter:

1 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions for the apple bread:

Pour the flour, yeast, salt, and cool water into the mixing bowl. Stir with a spoon until thoroughly combined.

Use your hand to scrape any flour off the sides and begin kneading the dough. Continue kneading until you’ve formed a ball shape, and cover the bowl with saran wrap.

Allow to proof for 8 hours at room temperature.

Once the dough has risen, grab a cutting board and peel three medium-sized red apples to remove the skin.

Next, cut the apples in half, then make two cuts lengthwise to remove the core from each.

Finally, cut the slices into cubes.

Once that’s done, transfer the cubed apples into a small bowl.

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Sprinkle the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, and use a spoon to coat the fruit thoroughly.

Next, transfer the apples to the bowl with the dough, and use your hand to mix them.

After kneading the apples into the dough, drizzle the olive oil into a baking dish. Use the paper towel to coat the pan evenly.

Then, transfer the dough into the dish. Cover the dish or pan with a lid for two hours to proof the dough at room temperature.

Once that’s done, place the bread in a cold oven with the lid still on. Set it to 425 degrees F and bake for 45 minutes.

Then, remove the lid and bake for another 15 minutes.

Directions for the cinnamon butter:

1. In a small bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
2. Use a hand mixer to blend it all so you have a nice, creamy texture.
3. Transfer the butter to a sheet of saran wrap and wrap tightly.
4. Chill in the fridge for one hour before use.

Cut a slice of your apple bread and slather it with as much cinnamon butter as desired. Enjoy!

Tips for making the best homemade apple bread

Make sure to peel the apples before placing them in the dough. If you skip this step, the skin will separate from the apples while baking. This creates air pockets and a chewy, unappetizing texture. You can use an apple peeler to make this step easier.

Opt for crisp, tart apples rather than sweet ones. Red or granny smith apples are a good choice; Fuji or Gala apples will make the bread overly sweet.

Ensure that your bread isn’t underbaked, as the center will be gooey and mushy. Stick a toothpick in the middle, and if it comes out clean, your bread is cooked. If the toothpick has bread on it, bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Other topping options

If you want something a bit more interesting than butter, we’ve got you covered. If you’re craving more dessert bread, frosting or glaze makes the perfect topping.

Vanilla Glaze: In a small bowl, blend 1 cup of powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream, and one teaspoon of vanilla. After the bread has completely cooled, pour over the top. Keep in mind that two tablespoons of cream will yield a thicker glaze, while one tablespoon will make it thinner.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Place ½ cup (1 stick) of room temperature unsalted butter into a mixer. Add in 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 4 cups of powdered sugar. Blend until smooth. Spread the frosting on the bread after allowing it to cool.

Cinnamon Sugar: Place ¼ cup sugar and one tablespoon of cinnamon in a bowl, stirring with a spoon to combine. Sprinkle the mixture over the bread before baking.

Keep in mind that you can still make the cinnamon butter if you choose the cinnamon sugar topping. It may be a bit of a cinnamon overload, but if you’re a cinnamon lover, go for it! We loved the cinnamon butter, but the other toppings taste just as delicious. This recipe pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re in the mood for some extra sweetness.

Final Thoughts: This apple bread topped with cinnamon butter is simply perfect

If you’ve never made apple bread before, you’ll be hooked once you try this recipe. Cinnamon and apples go together like peanut butter and jelly, and people have used them together in recipes for centuries. This apple bread is no different, as you’ll find that the sweet apples are the perfect complement to the warmth of cinnamon.

Bake this bread to have as part of your breakfast or for a sweet dessert. No matter when you have it, this bread will add a touch of comfort and warmth to your day.