Description
A moist and flavorful Apple Streusel Bread featuring tender chunks of apples swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a buttery streusel. This quick bread is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, offering a delightful combination of sweet and spiced flavors with a crisp glaze finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups finely diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Streusel Topping
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Swirl: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the swirled layer to add a sweet, spiced contrast inside the bread.
- Make Streusel Topping: In another small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter to create the crumbly streusel topping. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly. Stir in the milk or buttermilk until well incorporated.
- Mix Batter: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined; avoid overmixing for a tender crumb. Fold in the finely diced apples carefully.
- Layer Batter and Swirl: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mix over this layer. Add the remaining batter on top and use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter for a marbled effect.
- Add Streusel Topping: Sprinkle the prepared streusel mixture evenly over the top of the batter to create a crunchy topping as it bakes.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the bread is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, mix powdered sugar with milk to create a glaze and drizzle over the top before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture contrast.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, increase the cinnamon in the swirl or streusel slightly.
- Ensure the bread is fully cooled before applying the glaze to prevent it from melting.
- You can substitute milk with buttermilk for a richer flavor and softer crumb.
