Description
This loaf is everything cozy fall baking should be: rich apple flavor, warm spices, and a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. By reducing fresh apple cider, you get a deep, natural sweetness that makes this bread taste just like cinnamon sugar donuts—only easier to slice and share. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a simple dessert, it’s bound to become a seasonal favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread
- 1 ½ cups apple cider (to reduce)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Finish
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Reduce the cider. Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until it cooks down to about ½ cup. Set aside to cool.
- Prep the oven. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, both sugars, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and cooled cider.
- Combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Make the batter. Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir only until combined—overmixing will make the loaf dense.
- Bake. Spread the batter evenly into the loaf pan. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool. Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack.
- Finish with cinnamon sugar. While the bread is still warm, brush the top with melted butter. Mix sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle generously over the loaf, pressing lightly so it sticks.
Notes
- Be patient when reducing the cider—it’s what gives the bread its signature apple flavor.
- Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt if you’d like a tangy twist.
- Keep the crumb tender by avoiding overmixing the batter.
- Store the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze (well-wrapped) for up to 2 months.
- To enjoy later, reheat slices gently in the microwave or toast them for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert