Description
A soft, moist quick bread infused with apple cider and layered with a sweet cinnamon swirl. Perfect for cozy fall mornings or holiday gatherings, this Apple Cider Cinnamon Bread combines warm spices with a tender crumb for a delightful treat any time of day.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup apple cider (reduce for stronger flavor if desired)
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
Cinnamon Swirl
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth texture for the bread.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Incorporate Liquids: Mix in the apple cider and sour cream until the batter is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Layer Batter and Cinnamon Swirl: Pour half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Repeat with the remaining batter and cinnamon sugar. Use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the bread is golden brown.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps maintain its shape and texture.
Notes
- For a stronger apple flavor, simmer the apple cider until it has reduced by half before incorporating it into the batter.
- Add chopped apples or pecans to the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- This bread is freezer-friendly; wrap the cooled loaf tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
