There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm cinnamon and apples baking in the oven — it instantly makes your kitchen feel cozy and welcoming. This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf captures all the comforting flavors of fall in one soft, moist, and beautifully swirled loaf.
It’s the kind of recipe that brings people to the table — sweet, fragrant, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Each slice is tender and buttery with a ribbon of cinnamon-sugar goodness and little chunks of apple baked right in. It’s simple enough for everyday baking but elegant enough to share with guests or serve at brunch.
If you love the cozy aroma of baked apples and cinnamon filling your home, this recipe will quickly become one of your all-time favorites.
❤️ Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Irresistible flavor: The combination of cinnamon, apples, and buttery loaf is unbeatable.
- Moist and tender texture: Stays soft for days thanks to the apples.
- Easy to make: No fancy mixer or complicated steps required.
- Perfect for gifting: Wrap it in parchment and ribbon — it’s a homemade gift everyone loves.
- Versatile treat: Enjoy it for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a sweet dessert.
🧂 Ingredients
For the loaf:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups peeled, finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
For the cinnamon swirl:
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
For topping (optional):
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar or cinnamon sugar mix
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. - Mix dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside. - Cream butter and sugar:
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to beat together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). - Add wet ingredients:
Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the sour cream (or yogurt) and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined. - Combine with dry ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until no flour streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix. - Fold in the apples:
Gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter. - Layer and swirl:
Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly on top, then pour in the remaining batter. Use a knife or skewer to swirl gently through the layers to create that signature cinnamon swirl. - Add topping (optional):
Sprinkle coarse sugar or a bit of extra cinnamon-sugar mix on top for a light crunch. - Bake to perfection:
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes. - Cool and slice:
Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift it out using the parchment paper and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
💡 Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Loaf
- Use firm apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples hold up beautifully when baked.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing makes the loaf dense instead of soft.
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add great texture and flavor.
- Make it extra moist: Substitute half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce.
- Double the batch: This loaf freezes well — perfect for meal prep or gifting!
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Serve your Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf warm or at room temperature. It’s wonderful on its own, but here are a few extra ideas to take it to the next level:
- Toast slices lightly and spread with butter or cream cheese.
- Drizzle with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
- Pair with coffee, chai tea, or hot apple cider for the perfect cozy treat.
Whether it’s breakfast on a chilly morning or a sweet snack after dinner, every bite tastes like homemade happiness.
🧊 Storage & Freezing
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for up to 5 days when covered tightly.
- Freezer: Wrap slices or the entire loaf in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Pro tip: Warm slices in the microwave for 10 seconds to make them taste freshly baked again!
✨ Conclusion
This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is everything a cozy baked treat should be — warm, fragrant, moist, and packed with that perfect balance of sweetness and spice. It’s the kind of recipe that brings back childhood memories and fills your home with the comforting aroma of fall.
Whether you bake it for family, friends, or just yourself, this loaf never disappoints. One slice and you’ll understand why it’s a timeless favorite that deserves a spot in every home baker’s collection.
