If fall had a smell, this would be it! Warm cinnamon, toasted pecans, buttery streusel, and sweet apples all baked together in one yummy loaf. This easy cinnamon apple streusel bread is tender, moist, and has a crunchy pecan streusel in the middle and on top. It's the perfect quick bread for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a sweet slice after dinner.
Why you'll love this apple streusel bread recipe
This loaf captures everything that makes fall magical: juicy apple pieces, a soft buttery crumb, and a cinnamon-pecan streusel swirl that runs through the center and crowns the top. It's as delicious as it looks, and it makes your kitchen smell amazing while it bakes.
Easy to make. No yeast, no rising. Just a simple batter layered with apples and streusel.
Comfort in every bite. Sweet apples and cinnamon mingle with a crunchy pecan streusel for the perfect contrast of textures.
Similar to Dutch apple pie. With all its sweet crumbs and apple filling, this bread loaf tastes a lot like Dutch apple pie, but easier to make and perfect to slice and serve.
Great for any occasion. It's a hit at brunch, holiday gatherings, bake sales, or wrapped up as a homemade gift.
Versatile. Enjoy it as-is, warm it up with a pat of butter, or drizzle on a glaze for an extra indulgent finish.
Ingredients and what they bring to the bread
This recipe comes together with pantry staples and fresh apples, but each ingredient plays an important role in flavor and texture. Here's what you'll need to make the magic happen:
Pecan streusel swirl and topping
- Pecans - Toasted for deeper flavor, they bring crunch and nutty richness.
- Brown sugar - Adds sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor.
- All-purpose flour - Helps bind the crumble together.
- Cinnamon - Warm, cozy spice that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Cold butter - The key to a crumbly streusel that bakes up crisp.
Bread batter
- Apples - Pressed into the batter for juicy bursts of fruit throughout.
- Granulated sugar - Sweetens the loaf.
- Butter - Gives rich buttery flavor and creates a tender crumb.
- Eggs - Add structure.
- Milk - Adds moisture and keeps the loaf tender.
- Vanilla extract - Sweet and fragrant, enhances all the other flavors.
- All-purpose flour - The base of the batter.
- Baking powder - Gives the bread lift and lightness.
Best apples for bread
When purchasing apples for this apple crumble bread look for a hardy apple that will hold its shape during the baking process. Honey Crisp apples are the best in my opinion, but Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady will also work. Avoid soft apples such as Red Delicious that will tend to disintegrate under the heat.
How to Make Cinnamon Apple Streusel Bread
Making this bread is easier than you might think. With just a few simple steps, you'll layer juicy apples and a buttery pecan streusel into a quick bread batter. Here's what to do:
Pecan Streusel
- In a small bowl, combine toasted pecans, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Stir the mixture then add diced cold butter.
- Using a pastry cutter or fork, mash the pecan mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Apple Bread Batter
- Place sugar and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth and pale yellow, 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract and continue to beat until well mixed.
- Next add the flour and baking powder, continuing to mix.
- Lastly, pour in the milk and beat until combined.
How to Assemble
- Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan.
- Sprinkle on half of the apples and press lightly into the batter.
- Add ⅓ of the pecan streusel and press into apples.
- Pour remaining batter on top of apples and streusel, evening out so batter is level.
- Sprinkle with remaining apples, lightly pressing into batter.
- Follow with the rest of the pecan streusel. Press gently into apples.
- Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes then turn out of the pan and let it cool the rest of the way.
Bake up this easy, sweet cinnamon apple streusel bread and enjoy the most delicious aromas floating through the house. Plus, I know, the flavors of cinnamon apples, crunchy pecans, and sweet crumbs will have everyone smiling at your breakfast table.
Recipe tips for success
Even though this apple bread is simple, a few little tricks can make it turn out bakery-perfect every time.
- Toast the pecans. It brings out their rich, nutty flavor and makes the streusel even better.
- Cut apples into even cubes. Uniform size ensures they bake evenly and distribute throughout the bread.
- Use cold butter in the streusel. This helps create the best crumbly swirl and topping.
- Line with parchment. Makes lifting the loaf out easy and keeps slices neat.
- Don't skip cooling. Letting the loaf cool before slicing keeps it from falling apart.
Recipe variations to make it your own
One of the best things about quick breads is how easy they are to customize, and this cinnamon apple streusel bread is no exception. There are plenty of ways to put your own twist on this cozy loaf.
- Add a glaze. Drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze or whisk apple cider, melted butter, and powdered sugar together for a fall-inspired topping.
- Nut swap. Try walnuts instead of pecans, or leave nuts out entirely.
- Extra spice. Add nutmeg, ginger, or allspice to the batter for more warmth.
- Muffins. Divide batter into muffin tins for individual servings. Bake 18-22 minutes.
The best apple cinnamon bread to make and share
Make this delicious bread today and, if you can actually refrain from taking a bite, freeze it for the busy Christmas holidays or save it for a home-baked gift for your friends. Enjoy!
More Delicious Apple Dessert Recipes
Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake - will be your new fall dessert! It's moist and rich with all the flavors of an apple cider donut combined with the denseness of a pound cake.
Apple Bundt Cake - is as easy as 1-2-3. Just put all the ingredients, apples, sugar, flour, and spices, in a bowl, mix and bake. That's it!
Apple Plum Crumble with crispy and crunchy oat topping.
Caramel Apple Crumb Bars - are easy to make with a base of cinnamon oatmeal crunch, topped with fresh apples then drizzled with caramel.
Easy Apple Dumplings - apples flavored with cinnamon sugar are nestled in a pie crust, either homemade or store-bought, and served with sweet vanilla sauce.
Find more fall recipes here on 2CM!
Cinnamon Apple Bread
Ingredients
Pecan Streusel
- 1 ½ cups pecans toasted & chopped (see notes for toasting instructions)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoons cold butter diced
Bread
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- 1-2 large apples peeled and diced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a loaf pan.
Pecan Streusel
- In a small bowl, combine toasted pecans, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir.
- Add diced cold butter and using a pastry cutter or fork, mash until it resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Bread
- Place sugar and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth and pale yellow, 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract and continue to beat until well mixed.
- Add flour and baking powder, continuing to mix, then add milk and beat until combined.
To assemble
- Pour half of the batter into prepared pan.
- Sprinkle on half of the apples and press lightly into the batter.
- Add ⅓ of the pecan streusel and press into apples.
- Pour remaining batter on top of apples and streusel, evening out so batter is level.
- Sprinkle with remaining apples, pressing into batter, and follow with the rest of the pecan streusel. Press gently into apples.
- Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick in center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes then turn out of pan and let it cool the rest of the way.
- Store covered with plastic wrap.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs to Know About Quick Breads
Quick breads don't need kneading or rising time. Instead of yeast, they use baking powder or baking soda as the leavening agent, which makes them much faster to prepare.
Classic examples include loaves like banana bread, zucchini bread, and apple bread. Muffins, coffee cakes, scones, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles are also types of quick breads.
This usually means there was too much liquid compared to the dry ingredients. It can also happen if your baking powder is expired or if the batter sat too long before going into the oven.
The bread may have been underbaked or left in the pan too long, which traps steam. If your loaf isn't quite done, return it to a 350°F oven for another 10-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Wrapped well, it will keep on the counter for up to 344 days. For longer storage, wrap in foil, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm before serving.
Yes! Fill muffin cups about ⅔ full with batter. Top with apples and press them in the batter, sprinkle with streusel, and bake at 350°F for about 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
This post has been updated with more information to help you make the best Dutch Apple Bread every time. It was first posted on November 22, 2019.
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