Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf

Here’s a cozy, sweet treat recipe for a Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf — perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a fall-inspired snack. It’s moist, full of warm spices, and has a beautiful swirl of cinnamon sugar and apples throughout.

🍎 Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf

📝 Ingredients:

For the Loaf:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work great)

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• 1/3 cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper.

2. Make cinnamon swirl mixture: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

4. Cream butter & sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

5. Add wet ingredients: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract.

6. Combine dry and wet: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the diced apples.

7. Layer the loaf:

   • Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

   • Sprinkle half the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter.

   • Add the remaining batter on top.

   • Finish with the rest of the cinnamon swirl, then gently swirl with a butter knife.

8. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil around the 40-minute mark.

9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

🍏 Optional Glaze (for extra indulgence):

Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tbsp milk and a splash of vanilla. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.