Easy Apple Cinnamon Bread with Buttery Crumble Topping
There are few things better than having something warm and cinnamon-y baking in the oven on a fall day, and this Apple Cinnamon Bread is one of my favorites.
It’s soft and buttery with fresh grated apples throughout and a brown sugar cinnamon crumble layered inside AND over the top. The apples keep the bread incredibly moist while the crumble gives every slice a little extra sweetness and texture.
And as good as it smells while it’s baking, it might be even better warm from the oven with a cup of coffee.
This is such an easy recipe for fall brunches, after-school treats or weekend baking. It also makes the sweetest little homemade gift for a neighbor, teacher or friend. Wrap the loaf in parchment, add a little twine and you’re done!
If you’re hosting brunch or need something easy and delicious to gift to a neighbor, this Apple Cinnamon Crumble Bread is always a hit. It looks impressive with that golden crumble top but couldn’t be more simple to make. Slice it up warm with coffee, or wrap it in parchment and share! It’s fall baking made effortless.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Bread
This is one of those recipes that looks like you put a lot more effort into it than you actually did.
There’s no yeast, no waiting for dough to rise and no complicated technique. It’s a simple quick bread that comes together with basic baking ingredients and a couple of fresh apples.
You’ll love it because it’s:
And your kitchen will smell amazing while it bakes.
the Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Bread
Most of what you need for this recipe is probably already in your pantry.
For the Apple Bread
You’ll need:
For the Crumble Topping
The crumble is made with just four ingredients:
I love that we don’t just put the crumble on top, either. Half goes inside the loaf, and the other half goes over the top.
That way you get little pockets of buttery cinnamon crumble throughout every slice.
The Best Apples for Apple Cinnamon Bread
I usually reach for Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples for this recipe.
Both have a really nice balance of sweet and tart flavor, and they’re easy to grate into the batter.
You could experiment with other firm baking apples, too, but I especially love the flavor of Honeycrisp here.
The recipe calls for two large apples. Peel them first and then grate them before folding them into the batter.
Why Grate the Apples?
Instead of adding big chunks of apple, this recipe uses grated apples.
I love doing it this way because you get apple flavor throughout the entire loaf instead of a few scattered pieces.
The grated apples also add moisture to the bread and practically melt into the batter as it bakes.
It’s one of the things that makes this apple cinnamon bread so soft!
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Bread
1. Prepare Your Pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a bread pan and line it with parchment paper. I like leaving a little parchment hanging over the sides so the loaf is easy to lift out after baking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
Set aside.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and melted butter until combined.
4. Add the Apples
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until they’re just combined.
Fold in the grated apples.
Be careful not to overmix the batter. It’s okay if it’s fairly thick!
5. Make the Cinnamon Crumble
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, softened butter and cinnamon.
Use a fork to work everything together until you have a crumbly mixture.
You want the crumble to hold together slightly when you pinch it between your fingers while still having that loose, sandy texture.
6. Layer the Apple Bread
Pour half of the apple bread batter into your prepared loaf pan.
Sprinkle some of the cinnamon crumble over the batter.
Add the remaining batter and finish with the rest of the crumble.
This gives you that delicious brown sugar cinnamon layer inside the loaf as well as the golden crumble topping.
7. Bake
Bake the apple cinnamon bread for about 60 minutes.
Every oven is a little different, so I recommend starting to check it around the 50-minute mark.
Insert a toothpick into the center. When it comes out clean, the bread is ready.
Let the loaf cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes before removing it.
Then comes the hard part—trying not to eat the entire thing while it’s still warm!
Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Bread
Don’t overmix the batter. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir only until everything comes together. Overmixing can make quick breads dense instead of soft.
Grate the apples. Don’t skip this step! Grated apples distribute moisture and apple flavor throughout the entire loaf.
Use a good baking apple. Honeycrisp and Pink Lady are my favorites for this recipe.
Check your loaf early. Start checking around 50 minutes since ovens and loaf pans can bake differently.
Use parchment paper. It makes removing the loaf from the pan so much easier—especially with all that delicious crumble on top.
How Do You Know When Apple Bread Is Done?
Quick breads can be tricky because the outside sometimes looks completely baked while the very center still needs a little more time.
Insert a toothpick into the thickest part of the loaf.
If it comes out with wet batter, give the bread a little longer. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached, it’s ready.
If the crumble topping is getting too brown before the middle is finished baking, you can loosely cover the loaf while it finishes.
What to Serve With Apple Cinnamon Bread
I love this bread slightly warm, all on its own.
But you could also serve it with:
Add it to a fall brunch spread with eggs, breakfast potatoes and fresh fruit, or serve slices as an easy afternoon treat.
And yes, I absolutely think it counts as dessert too.
Apple Cinnamon Bread for Fall Brunch
This would be such an easy addition to a fall brunch because you can bake the loaf before everyone arrives and slice it when you’re ready to eat.
Set it out on a cake stand or wooden board alongside butter, coffee and a few other breakfast favorites.
It’s simple, cozy and exactly the kind of thing everyone keeps going back for another little slice of.
Make It for a Fall Gift
This is also one of my favorite kinds of recipes to give away.
There’s something about receiving a loaf of homemade bread that feels extra thoughtful without requiring you to make an elaborate dessert.
Let the loaf cool completely, then wrap it in parchment paper and tie it with twine or ribbon.
You could make it for:
Or make two loaves, one to give away and one to keep at home!
some of my favorite gifting supplies for baked goods:
How to Store Apple Cinnamon Bread
Once the loaf has cooled completely, wrap it well or store it in an airtight container.
It will stay soft and moist for a few days.
You can serve slices at room temperature or warm them slightly before eating.
Can I Make Apple Bread Ahead of Time?
Yes!
Because the apples help keep this bread moist, it’s a great recipe to bake ahead.
Make it the night before a brunch or gathering, allow it to cool completely and store it well wrapped until you’re ready to serve.
Apple Cinnamon Crumble Bread
Ingredients
For the bread:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup butter melted
- 2 large apples peeled and grated
For the crumble topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4-6 Tablespoons butter softened
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a bread pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, and melted butter until combined.
- Combine and add the apples. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the grated apples. Don’t overmix, a slightly thick batter is perfect.
- Make the crumble. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon with a fork until crumbly. It should hold together slightly when pinched but still feel loose and sandy.
- Layer and bake. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle a layer of crumble over the top. Add the remaining batter and finish with the rest of the crumble.
- Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Every oven is a little different, so start checking around the 50-minute mark.
- Cool and enjoy. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before removing. Slice warm or at room temperature. Either way, it’s delicious.
Apples: Honeycrisp and Pink Lady apples are my favorites for this recipe. They have a great balance of sweet and tart flavor and grate easily.
Don’t overmix: Stir the batter just until everything is combined to help keep the bread soft.
Baking time: Every oven is different, so start checking the loaf around 50 minutes.
Storage: Store the cooled bread well wrapped or in an airtight container to keep it soft and moist.
Gifting: Allow the loaf to cool completely, then wrap it in parchment paper and tie with twine for an easy homemade fall gift.
More Apple Recipes to Make This Fall
If you have a kitchen full of apples this time of year, there are plenty of ways to use them!
For dessert, try my Caramel Apple Pie, made with tart Granny Smith apples and a buttery brown sugar caramel sauce.
Or head to my 5 Apple Desserts You’ll Want to Try This Fall for even more ideas to add to your fall baking list.
If you make this Apple Cinnamon Bread for a fall brunch, wrap it up for a neighbor or just bake a loaf because you have apples sitting on the counter, it’s one of those easy recipes you’ll want to come back to every fall.
If you try this apple cinnamon bread recipe, let me know! I’d love to hear what you think.
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