🍎 Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf
🧂 Ingredients:
For the batter:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 ½ tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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¾ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
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1 ½ cups peeled, diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
For the cinnamon swirl:
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⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
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1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Optional glaze:
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½ cup powdered sugar
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1–2 tbsp milk
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Splash of vanilla
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the cinnamon swirl mix:
In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Mix the dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Cream butter and sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
5. Add eggs and vanilla:
Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
6. Add sour cream and dry ingredients:
Mix in the sour cream (or yogurt), then gradually add the dry ingredients. Do not overmix — just until combined.
7. Fold in apples:
Gently fold in the diced apples with a spatula.
8. Assemble the loaf:
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Pour half the batter into the loaf pan.
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Sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar swirl mixture on top.
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Add the remaining batter, then top with the rest of the cinnamon sugar.
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Use a knife to gently swirl through the top layer for a marbled effect.
9. Bake:
Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil during the last 15 minutes.
10. Cool:
Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
11. (Optional) Glaze:
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over cooled loaf.
🍏 Tips:
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Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice contrast to the sweetness.
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You can add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
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Tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld!
Would you like a gluten-free or vegan version of this recipe too?
