Fall in a slice with this soft, buttery apple loaf layered with a sweet cinnamon swirl. Perfect for cozy afternoons, breakfast with coffee, or a simple homemade dessert. Moist, fragrant, and full of warm apple flavor.
Ingredients
For the cinnamon swirl
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the loaf
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk or plain yogurt
For the apples
2 medium apples, peeled and finely diced or grated
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon for the apples
Instructions
1 Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and lightly flour a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2 In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside for the swirl.
3 In a large bowl, cream together the white sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy.
4 Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5 In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
6 Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk or yogurt. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
7 Toss the diced or grated apples with lemon juice and optional cinnamon, then gently fold them into the batter.
8 Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
9 Add the remaining batter on top, then finish with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.
10 Use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter.
11 Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
12 Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Serving Tips
Delicious warm or at room temperature
Perfect on its own or with a light dusting of powdered sugar
Keeps well for several days and freezes beautifully