Name: Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 1 cup oil; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped (about 2 medium apples); 1/2 cup apple cider; 1 tablespoon salted butter; 6 tablespoons powdered sugar; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, you’re going to love this Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe. It’s the perfect balance of moist, spiced bread and a tangy-sweet glaze that brings everything together beautifully. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how simple ingredients transformed into something either great for breakfast or a comforting snack. Stick around—I’m excited to share all my tips and tricks so your Apple Bread comes out perfect every single time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Fall Flavors: The cinnamon and nutmeg play so well with sweet apples and cider, creating a classic autumn vibe.
Moist, Not Dense: Unlike some quick breads, this recipe stays light and moist without being heavy.
Simple Yet Stunning Glaze: The apple cider glaze gives it an extra layer of flavor that’s worth the little extra effort.
Family Favorite: My kids and friends always ask for seconds, and it’s a recipe I return to when I want something easy but special.

The image shows four thick slices of apple cinnamon bread lined up on a piece of white parchment paper on a wooden board. Each slice has a golden-brown crust and a soft, textured inside filled with chunks of white apple pieces. Three cinnamon sticks lie next to the bread on the left side. On the right, there are several thin green apple slices neatly stacked. A striped blue and white cloth is partially visible in the upper background next to a red and yellow apple. The scene is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Bread with Cider Glaze, apple bread recipe, spiced apple bread, fall apple bread, apple loaf with cider glaze

Ingredients You’ll Need

To get that perfect texture and flavor in this Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe, you’ll want fresh apples and a nice balance of spices. Don’t skip the apple cider; it’s what makes the glaze sing. Here’s what you’ll gather before getting started:

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of packed light brown sugar, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a smaller white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl with baking powder, a small white bowl with salt, four large whole brown eggs, a small white bowl filled with golden oil, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of peeled chopped fresh apples, a small white bowl of amber apple cider, a small white bowl with a pat of salted butter, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, and a smaller white bowl with clear vanilla extract, all arranged symmetrically and evenly spaced in perfect balance, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Apple Bread with Cider Glaze, apple bread recipe, spiced apple bread, fall apple bread, apple loaf with cider glaze

All-purpose flour: The base for your bread; it gives structure without weighing it down.
Granulated sugar: For sweetness and to help with browning.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that complements the apples wonderfully.
Ground nutmeg: A touch of earthy spice to round things out.
Baking soda and baking powder: The leavening agents that help your bread rise nicely.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
Large eggs: For moisture and binding – make sure they’re at room temperature for best mixing.
Oil: I use neutral oil like vegetable or canola for a moist crumb without extra flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet, aromatic note.
Apples, peeled and chopped: About two medium apples give texture and fresh sweetness.
Apple cider (for glaze): Use good-quality cider, it’s key to that tangy glaze.
Salted butter (for glaze): Adds richness and smoothness.
Powdered sugar (for glaze): Makes the glaze silky and sweet.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): Complements the cider with a warm undertone.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to adjust to your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to mix things up and make it your own!

Walnut or pecan add-ins: I’ve sprinkled nuts into the batter before, and my family loves the texture and extra flavor it adds.
Gluten-free version: By swapping in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum, you can enjoy the same soft texture without wheat.
Maple syrup glaze: If you want a twist, replace some apple cider in the glaze with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dry ingredients for a spicier fall vibe.

How to Make Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prepare your pan and preheat

I always start by preheating the oven to 350°F and prepping my loaf pan with grease and parchment paper. This step is crucial because it ensures the bread won’t stick and your beautiful loaf comes out cleanly. Make sure to grease the parchment too—it’s a little trick I learned that really helps.

Step 2: Whisk your dry ingredients together

Combine the flour, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisking these together first is key because it evenly distributes the spices and leavening for a consistent, perfect bread.

Step 3: Mix wet ingredients separately

In another bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Using room temperature eggs helps everything come together smoothly. When adding the wet ingredients to the dry, stir gently but don’t overmix—the batter will be thick, and that’s a good sign!

Step 4: Fold in the apples and bake

Gently fold the chopped apples into your batter, then pour it all into your prepared pan. Pop it in the oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. If your loaf browns too fast, tent it with foil after 40 minutes. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack; this helps it set and makes slicing easier.

Step 5: Make the luscious cider glaze

While the bread cools, bring your apple cider to a boil then simmer until it’s reduced by half—that’s where the flavor intensifies. Take it off the heat and whisk in butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Pour the warm glaze over the cooled bread and watch it trickle down, adding a gorgeous sheen and that subtle tang that elevates the whole loaf.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Batter: I learned the hard way that a few lumps are okay—overmixing makes the bread tough.
Use Tart Apples: Varieties like Granny Smith hold their texture well and balance the sweetness.
Reduce Cider Slowly: Simmering too fast can burn flavors, so keep it gentle and watch it closely.
Glaze at the Right Time: The bread must be cool before glazing or the glaze will melt off too quickly.

How to Serve Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe

A stack of five thick slices of brown cake with a moist texture and visible chunks of light-colored fruit inside is placed on white parchment paper on a wooden surface. The cake has a slightly rough crust with a shiny glaze dripping down the sides. A woman's hand is holding the top slice at the right side of the image. In the background, there are green slices of fruit and a whole fruit blurred out. Cinnamon sticks are placed on the bottom left corner of the wooden surface. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple Bread with Cider Glaze, apple bread recipe, spiced apple bread, fall apple bread, apple loaf with cider glaze

Garnishes

I love topping slices with a light dusting of cinnamon or some chopped toasted nuts for crunch. Sometimes a dollop of whipped cream or a smear of cream cheese frosting turns it into a dessert-worthy treat. These little touches add texture and make it feel special.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for breakfast or brunch. It also pairs beautifully with sharp cheddar cheese if you want a savory twist. My go-to is a simple salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the sweet bread for a light lunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, slice the bread and stack the pieces on a platter drizzled with extra glaze and sprinkled with apple slices and fresh thyme sprigs. It’s a stunning centerpiece. You can also cut it into mini loaves to gift friends wrapped in parchment and tied with twine—such a lovely homemade gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It’s surprising how moist it stays—if your kitchen is humid, just pop it in the fridge.

Freezing

I sometimes slice the bread before freezing; then I wrap slices individually in parchment and foil, so I can thaw exactly what I need. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

To refresh leftover slices, I like to warm them in a toaster oven or microwave for just 15–20 seconds. This brings back that freshly baked feel, especially if you add a little butter or cream cheese on top.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

You can, but frozen apples tend to be watery when thawed, which may affect the bread’s texture. If you do use frozen, make sure to thaw and drain them well before folding into the batter.
Is this bread dairy-free?

Yes! The recipe calls for oil and butter only in the glaze. To make the glaze dairy-free, you can substitute the salted butter with a non-dairy alternative or omit it—just know the texture will be slightly different.
Can I make this bread in muffins?

Absolutely! Just reduce the baking time to around 20-25 minutes and keep an eye on them. Muffins make a great portable snack version of this Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe.
What type of apple works best?

I recommend tart apples like Granny Smith—they hold up well during baking and offer a nice balance to the sweetness. But you can experiment with sweet apples if you prefer a milder flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Bread with Cider Glaze Recipe is one I turn to time and again because it’s just so reliably delicious and full of warmth. Whether you’re baking for a weekday treat or a special occasion, it always impresses without a fuss. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—and if you share it with friends or family, I bet it’ll become one of their favorite sweet breads, too!