Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for an irresistible, cozy treat that your whole family will rave about, you’re in the right place. This Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe is one of those gems I love to pull out during apple season (or honestly, any time I can get my hands on fresh apples). It’s moist, tender, and has this perfectly sweet cinnamon streusel on top that adds just the right crunch. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to bake it again and again!

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve fine-tuned this Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe so the ingredients complement each other harmoniously—each one plays a role, from the tangy Greek yogurt that keeps it moist to the cinnamon spice that warms every bite. Here’s a quick guide to these essentials and why I choose them.

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes to the streusel, balancing sweetness with a hint of molasses flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Keeps sweetness light and blends perfectly in both streusel and batter for balanced flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of both the bread and streusel, providing structure without weighing things down.
• Cinnamon: The warm spice star of the show—sprinkle liberally to complement the apples beautifully.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors, making every bite sing.
• Unsalted Butter: Using room temperature butter ensures it creams smoothly with sugar for a light, fluffy batter.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to make the bread rise perfectly.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
• Vanilla Extract: A subtle, sweet aroma that rounds out the flavors.
• Greek Yogurt: Keeps the bread tender and adds a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the batter.
• Apple (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious): Fresh, diced apples bring natural sweetness and a bit of texture—crucial for that classic apple bread feel.

Variations

The fun part about this Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I’m always tweaking it depending on what I have in the kitchen or who I’m baking for. Don’t be shy about trying different combinations—you might stumble upon your new favorite twist!

• Add Nuts: I sometimes toss chopped walnuts or pecans into the streusel or batter for a lovely crunch that my family loves.
• Use Different Apples: I’ve used tart Granny Smiths for a tangy bite or sweeter Honeycrisps when I want the bread to lean more dessert-like.
• Swap Yogurt: If you prefer, you can substitute sour cream for Greek yogurt—it still turns out moist and delicious.
• Make It Gluten-Free: I once experimented with a gluten-free flour blend, and while the texture was a bit different, it was still a winner!

How to Make Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. This is crucial because a hot oven helps the bread rise evenly and bake through without drying out. Next, grab a 9×5-inch loaf pan and grease it well (I like to use a little softened butter). Then, line it with parchment paper, making sure you leave about an inch of overhang on the long sides—this sling is a lifesaver later for lifting the bread out without a fuss.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cinnamon Streusel Topping

In a medium bowl, mix together your brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Then, drizzle in the melted butter slowly, tossing everything with a fork as you go to get a crumbly, dough-like mix. This streusel is everything—it melts into little pockets of crunch on top of the bread, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Step 3: Combine Your Dry Ingredients

Dry ingredients go into a separate bowl: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Give them a good whisk to make sure they’re evenly distributed—this helps your bread rise evenly without weird pockets of baking soda or powder.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Wet Ingredients

This is where the magic begins: Using your mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until the mix is light and fluffy—about 2 minutes. This step traps air and helps your bread be tender. Next, add in the egg and vanilla, mixing again until combined. Follow that with the Greek yogurt and whole milk, continuing to mix until everything is smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Bring It Together—Wet and Dry

Pour your dry ingredients into the wet mix gradually. Start mixing on low speed to avoid a floury cloud in your kitchen, then bump it up to medium for 1-2 minutes until the batter is smooth and has no lumps. Careful not to overmix here—you want it just combined for the best texture.

Step 6: Fold in the Apples Gently

Grab a rubber spatula and gently fold in your diced apples. This ensures that the apples are evenly distributed without smashing them, which keeps nice texture and juicy bites throughout the bread.

Step 7: Fill the Pan and Add Streusel Topping

Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top lightly with your spatula. Then sprinkle your cinnamon streusel mix all over the top. It’s okay to be generous here—this topping becomes golden-crisp and insanely delicious.

Step 8: Bake and Cool Your Bread

Bake for 45-50 minutes until the streusel is golden-brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. I learned that ovens vary, so start checking at 45 minutes. When done, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes—this helps it set up. Then use the parchment sling to lift it out and transfer to a wire rack to cool another 5-10 minutes before slicing. This short cooling time means you’ll still get warm, melt-in-your-mouth slices.

How to Serve Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle a little powdered sugar right before serving for a simple, pretty touch. Sometimes I add a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese frosting when I’m feeling indulgent. Fresh apple slices on the side also make a cute, thematic garnish.

Side Dishes

This apple bread pairs wonderfully with sharp cheddar cheese or a mild slice of brie if you want to get a little fancy. For breakfast, serve alongside a hot cup of coffee or chai tea for that ultimate cozy vibe. I also sometimes bring it out with a bowl of cinnamon-spiced yogurt for dipping.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special brunch, I’ve cut the bread into thick slices and served them on a wooden board with little bowls of honey, butter, and nut butter for guests to customize their bites. It’s simple but feels super festive and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This apple bread holds up well for a couple of days at room temperature—just cover it loosely with foil or wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it moist. I usually store mine on the counter when I’m planning to eat it within 2 days.

Freezing

If I want to save leftovers longer, I slice the bread and wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place them all in a freezer-safe bag. This way, I can pull out just what I need without thawing the whole loaf. It freezes beautifully without losing texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices in the toaster oven for a few minutes or briefly microwave them covered with a damp paper towel to bring back moisture. This refreshes the bread nicely, almost like it just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Apple Bread with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe brings a little bit of fall warmth into my kitchen any time of year. Whenever I make it, the house fills with the best aroma that puts everyone in a good mood (and the first slice always disappears fast). You’ll enjoy how simple it is, yet how much joy it delivers with every bite. So next time you have apples sitting on your counter, grab this recipe and bake it up—you won’t regret it!

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