Apple Cider Bread

Spiced apple flavor and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping make this quick bread recipe a must-make for fall. It’s great for breakfast, brunch, snacks, and even dessert. It does all the things!

Ingredients

• Apple cider – To get the best apple flavor, use apple cider. It’s like apple juice’s country cousin – it’s raw, unfiltered, and (usually – check the label) unsweetened. To get the biggest apple bang for the buck, we’re reducing the cider first to concentrate the flavor even more.
• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Unsalted butter – Be sure to leave the butter out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before making the bread. This will make it easier to cream with the sugar. I like to slice the butter first so it softens faster.
• Brown sugar – Brown sugar works really well in this bread – the flavor is more complex than granulated sugar. That said, if you only have white sugar, you can use the same amount, and the bread will turn out fine.
• Large eggs
• Pure vanilla extract
• Whole milk – I like to use whole milk because the extra fat makes the bread more tender and soft. You can use the same amount of 2% milk or even almond milk or oat milk if that’s what you have on hand.

How to Make It

Apple cider reduction: We’re getting fancy with the apple cider and reducing it so you get a concentrated flavor and thick consistency. It’s easy – just boil it until the total amount equals about 1/2 cup. It takes about 15 minutes, but the time is worth it. Your apple bread will have so much flavor.

Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Set this mixture aside while you do the next step.

Cream the butter: Place the sugar and butter in a large bowl. Beat them with an electric mixer for a couple of minutes or until the mixture is light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, vanilla, and the reduced apple cider.

Bring it all together: Turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture and milk, alternating between each. Doing it this way ensures they both get absorbed into the batter without over-mixing it.

Topping: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Bake: Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the sugar topping over the top. Bake the loaf for about 50 minutes. It’s done when a toothpick comes out clean.

Recipe Tips

• Use the spoon and level method when you measure the flour. This means you should lightly spoon the flour into your dry measuring cup and level it off.
• Once the bread is baked, leave it in the pan for 10 minutes and then carefully turn it onto a wire rack. Allow it to cool to room temperature before slicing it.
• If you want to make it ahead, you can freeze it! Once it’s cooled, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for several months.
• I love this bread for a special fall breakfast or brunch – it pairs great with coffee! You can also serve it as a cake for dessert – add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce if you’re feeling extra.

I hope you try this apple cider bread soon! It’s got all the fall vibes going for it 🍂

Happy baking,

More Fall Bread Recipes

• Pumpkin Pecan Bread
• Cinnamon Banana Bread
• Peanut Butter Banana Bread