Introduction: Cozy Slices of Autumn
There’s something magical about baking in the fall. The air gets cooler, apples are piled high at every market, and suddenly your kitchen feels like the heart of your home again. For me, nothing captures that cozy autumn spirit quite like a loaf of Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread With Apple Cider Glaze.
The smell alone is enough to make your whole house feel like a warm hug — spiced cinnamon, sweet apples, and the faint tang of cider caramelizing in the oven. I first made this recipe one chilly October weekend when I had a basket of orchard-fresh apples and a craving for something sweet but easy. The result? A golden, moist, fragrant loaf that tasted like everything I love about fall.
Unlike traditional yeast breads, this quick bread lives up to its name — no kneading, no waiting for dough to rise. You simply mix, bake, glaze, and slice. It’s the kind of recipe that feels fancy but comes together effortlessly — perfect for Sunday brunch, an afternoon snack, or gifting to friends.
So, grab your apples and your coziest sweater — it’s time to bake this show-stopping Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread With Apple Cider Glaze!
🍏 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes this bread moist, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. You probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry!
🧁 For the Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled for accuracy.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – the star spice!
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth).
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar – for depth and moisture.
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce – keeps the loaf soft and adds extra apple flavor.
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil for a richer flavor).
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups peeled and diced apples – choose firm, tart-sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith.
🍯 For the Apple Cider Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons apple cider – simmered down slightly for extra flavor.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar – balances sweetness.
🌱 Substitution & Variation Ideas
- Vegan Option: Replace eggs with ½ cup mashed ripe banana or flaxseed “eggs” (2 tablespoons ground flax + 5 tablespoons water). Use non-dairy milk for the glaze.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix. Add an extra tablespoon of applesauce if needed for moisture.
- Healthier Version: Replace half the sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup, and use whole-wheat flour for a nuttier texture.
- Extra Crunch: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- Apple-Cinnamon Swirl: Mix 2 tablespoons brown sugar with ½ teaspoon cinnamon and swirl it through the batter before baking.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
This Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread With Apple Cider Glaze is beginner-friendly and foolproof. You’ll go from mixing bowl to warm slices in just over an hour.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
This step ensures your leaveners and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter, giving your bread that perfectly soft crumb and balanced spice flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, applesauce, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
The applesauce not only replaces some of the fat but also adds natural sweetness and moisture — a secret weapon for soft quick breads!
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two parts, mixing gently with a spatula. Do not overmix — stop as soon as the flour disappears.
The batter should be thick but pourable.
Step 5: Fold in the Apples
Gently fold in the diced apples. The chunks will soften as they bake, creating juicy, sweet-tart pockets throughout the loaf.
Optional: toss apples in a teaspoon of flour before folding them in — this helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay). If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with foil halfway through baking.
Your kitchen will smell like a cozy autumn dream at this point — sweet apples, warm spices, and caramelized sugar filling the air.
Step 7: Cool
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before glazing — patience pays off here!
Step 8: Make the Apple Cider Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, and lemon juice until smooth and pourable. If it’s too thick, add more cider a teaspoon at a time.
Drizzle generously over the cooled loaf. The glaze will set into a shiny, sweet-tangy coating that perfectly complements the bread’s spiced interior.
Step 9: Slice and Enjoy!
Use a serrated knife to cut into thick, satisfying slices. Serve warm or at room temperature with a hot cup of tea or cider.
🍎 Extra Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread
🌟 Serving Suggestions
- Serve slices warm with butter or cream cheese spread for breakfast.
- For dessert, top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and drizzle extra glaze.
- Pair it with your favorite fall beverage — hot apple cider, chai latte, or pumpkin spice coffee.
🧊 Storage and Reheating
- Room temperature: Wrap tightly and store for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days — just bring it to room temperature before serving.
- Freezer: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, microwave slices for 20–30 seconds.
🔄 Ingredient Swaps & Variations
- Pear Cinnamon Bread: Replace apples with diced pears and use pear nectar in the glaze.
- Caramel Apple Bread: Add ½ cup caramel chips to the batter for gooey caramel pockets.
- Nutty Delight: Fold in a handful of chopped toasted almonds or pecans.
- Mini Loaves or Muffins: Divide the batter into smaller pans or muffin tins and reduce baking time to 20–25 minutes.
📊 Nutritional Information
(Adapted from The New York Times Cooking)
Per serving (1 slice, based on 10 slices):
- Calories: 310
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Sugar: 28g
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
These values are approximate and will vary depending on ingredient substitutions and glaze thickness.
❓ FAQ Section
1. How long does it take to make Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread With Apple Cider Glaze?
From start to finish, about 1 hour and 15 minutes — 15 minutes to prep, 55–60 minutes to bake, and 10 minutes to glaze.
2. Can I substitute fresh apples with applesauce?
You can replace half of the diced apples with more applesauce for a smoother texture, but keep at least some chunks for that signature apple bite.
3. Can I freeze this bread?
Absolutely! Wrap the cooled loaf (or individual slices) in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or warm briefly in the oven.
4. What kind of apples work best?
Tart-sweet apples hold their shape best in baking. Try Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Braeburn.
5. My glaze is too thin! What should I do?
Add a little more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it thickens. If it’s too thick, loosen it with a teaspoon of warm cider.
🍁 Conclusion: A Loaf Full of Fall Comfort
If fall had a flavor, it would taste exactly like this Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread With Apple Cider Glaze — cozy, fragrant, and bursting with apple goodness. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you want to light a candle, pull on fuzzy socks, and watch the leaves fall outside your window.
What I love most about this bread is its simplicity — no fancy mixers, no complicated steps, just wholesome ingredients that come together to make something truly special. The moist crumb, the warm cinnamon spice, and that shiny cider glaze — it’s pure autumn magic in every bite.
So go ahead, bake a loaf (or two). Share one with a friend, keep one for yourself, and let this recipe become your new fall favorite. 🍎✨
And if you make this Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread With Apple Cider Glaze, be sure to share your creation in the comments below or tag me on social media — I’d love to see your cozy bakes! ❤️