Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
A tender, buttery apple loaf with a sweet cinnamon swirl running through the middle, finished with an optional powdered sugar glaze—this cozy bake is simple, budget-friendly, and full of comforting fall flavor.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Loaf:
- ⅔ cup white sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk or substitute: 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 tsp vinegar, let sit 5 minutes
- 1 medium apple peeled, cored, and diced (about 1 cup)
Optional Topping:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 –2 teaspoons milk or cream to make a drizzle
Instructions
- Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment, letting edges hang over.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Beat softened butter and white sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add dry mix to wet mix in batches, alternating with buttermilk. Mix just until combined. Fold in apples.
- Spread half the batter into the pan. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar over it. Top with remaining batter and swirl gently with a knife.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs. Cover loosely with foil if browning too fast.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Drizzle with glaze once fully cooled (optional).