This Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Caramel Apple Glaze is as delicious as it sounds. Fresh apples, a cinnamon sugar swirl, and then drizzled with an apple caramel glaze. This bread makes a delicious treat that's perfect for dessert or with coffee!
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Why I Love This Recipe
This Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Caramel Apple Glaze is to die for and it's pretty easy to make. There are TWO layers of fluffy cake, fresh apples, cinnamon, and sugar. And if that wasn't enough, I decided to top it off with a Caramel Apple Glaze that really takes this bread over the top!
If you love caramel recipes, check out my Saltine Cracker Caramel Bars and my Caramel Filled Cupcakes. This recipe was inspired by The Baking Chocolatess apple bread.
Key Ingredients for This Recipe
- Ground Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is the star of this recipe along with the apples. Don't be shy with the cinnamon, it makes all the difference.
- Freshly Grated Nutmeg (or Ground Nutmeg): Nutmeg is another spice used for flavor. I highly recommend freshly grated nutmeg but you can use ground nutmeg as well.
- Apples: You can use any apple you like but I recommend a less sweet apple like Granny Smith to balance out the other sweeteners in this bread.
- Soft Caramel Candies: Caramel candies are used for the glaze. You can also use already melted caramel sauce if desired.
- Apple Flavoring: Apple flavoring takes the glaze from good to really good! it's easy to find online or at craft stores with a cooking section like Michael's.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Apple Bread with Caramel Apple Glaze
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a bread pan.
Step 2: Peel the apples and cut them into cubes, trying to keep them similarly sized. Add the apples to a bowl and add the lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon stir and set aside.
Step 3: In another small bowl, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix together with a fork. Set the bowl aside with the apples.
Step 4: Whisk flour and baking powder in a bowl; set aside. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs and vanilla, then mix in flour with a spatula. Stir in milk until thick and creamy.
Step 5: Pour half of the batter into the prepared bread pan, add half of the apples, and then half of the cinnamon brown sugar mixture on top. Repeat with the rest of the batter, apples, and sugar mixture. lightly press everything on the top with your spatula.
Step 6: Bake for 50-55 minutes. Check with a toothpick and when it comes out clean, the bread is done! Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
How to Make the Caramel Apple Glaze
The Caramel Apple Glaze is surprisingly easy to make, but you have to be a little speedy with it. Melted caramel candies are delicious but the caramel will start to set as soon as it cools so be swift but careful because caramel is hot!
In a microwave-safe bowl, add the caramel candies and zap in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl, stir the caramel, and zap for 15 more seconds if needed. Quickly stir in the heavy cream and apple flavoring before drizzling on top of the apple cinnamon swirl bread.
How to Serve This Apple Bread
This bread is delicious served warm, at room temperature, or cold, and can be served for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. As with a lot of the baked goods I make, this Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread is really, really good with coffee in the morning.
Everyone in my house loved this bread so much it disappeared in one day so you may want to make a double batch if you want some for the next morning.
Recipe FAQs
You can use most varieties of apples for this recipe. Granny Smith apples are my go-to because they are tart and balance out the sweetness of the bread.
You can substitute ground nutmeg for freshly grated nutmeg. If you use ground nutmeg, increase the measurement by ¼ teaspoon as indicated in the recipe card.
Use a toothpick or a cake tester and insert it in the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.
Yes, you can freeze this apple bread without the glaze. Allow it to cool completely first and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Store any leftover apple cinnamon swirl bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. It will last 2-3 days.
No, you can omit the caramel glaze if desired. This will reduce the amount of sugar in the serving and the bread will still be delicious!
More Delicious Apple Recipes to Try
If you get a chance to make this Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Caramel Apple Glaze, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Apple Cinnamon Swirl Bread with Caramel Apple Glaze
Equipment
- 9x5 bread pan
- 2 small mixing bowls
- 1 large mixing bowl
Ingredients
Apples
- 2 apples, peeled and cut into cubes I used granny smith
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg)
Brown Sugar Mixture
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg)
Bread Batter
- 1½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon baking powder
- ½ cup butter, room temp
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temp
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk, room temp
Caramel Glaze
- 8 soft caramel candies, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream, room temp
- ¼ teaspoon apple flavoring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9"x5" bread pan with butter and parchment paper.
Prep the Apples
- Peel the apples and cut them into cubes, trying to keep them similar-sized. Don't worry if there is a little peel or they aren't exactly the same size, they don't have to be perfect. Add the apples to a bowl and add the lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon stir and set aside.
Brown Sugar Mixture
- In another small bowl, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix together with a fork (I found this works best). Set the bowl aside with the apples.
Bread Batter
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour and baking powder and whisk to mix together. Set aside with the other bowls.
- Add the butter and sugar to a large mixing bowl and beat with a mixer until creamed together, about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing each one individually. Add the vanilla and fully mix everything together.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir in with a spatula. After everything is combined, add the milk and fully incorporate it. The mixture will be nice and thick and creamy.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared bread pan, add half of the apples, and then half of the cinnamon brown sugar mixture on top.
- Repeat with the rest of the batter, apples, and sugar mixture. Lightly press everything on the top with your spatula.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes. Check it with a toothpick and when it comes out clean, the bread is done! Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Remove the loaf from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
Caramel Glaze
- While the bread is cooling, make the caramel glaze. In a microwave-safe bowl, add the caramel candies and melt in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and microwave for 15 more seconds. Once the caramel is fully melted, stir in the heavy cream and apple flavoring. Immediately drizzle the glaze over the top of the cooled bread and enjoy!
Notes
- You can omit the caramel glaze if desired.
- Store any leftover bread sealed in an air-tight container or plastic wrap for 2-3 days.
- You can freeze this bread for later without the glaze on top. Make sure it has cooled completely before wrapping and freezing.
- This bread is also delicious the next day as the flavors settle in. You can serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Emily Woodward says
Mmm. that caramel apple glaze! This is delicious!
Emily says
Thanks, Emily! The glaze definitely makes this bread amazing!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
My mouth is literally watering. My family would love this..
Emily says
This apple bread is definitely a crowd-pleaser!
michele h peterson says
This is perfect for the holidays! I love the caramel icing and could eat it by the spoonful!
Emily says
I totally agree, Michele. I only make enough caramel apple glaze to top the bread otherwise I'd be in big trouble...lol!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
Oh, my dear gosh, what a combination of flavours! I'm so craving right now!
Emily says
It's apple on cinnamon on apple on caramel on cinnamon on apple. LOL!
Alyssa Hixenbaugh says
What a beautiful bread! Cinnamon and apples are a delicious combination, especially in bread. Thank you for sharing!
Emily says
Thanks, Alyssa! You can never go wrong with cinnamon and apples.
Sunrita says
Love the caramel swirl. Does takes the taste to another level.
Emily says
100% agree!!
Sue says
I love apple bread and its been ages since I've had it. But this version? With all that cinnamon and that incredible caramel apple glaze? MUST. HAVE. NOW.
Emily says
The glaze is a game-changer for sure, I hope you make it soon!
FOODHEAL says
Oh, the browning, the glace, and the yumminess! this bread wouldn't go beyond breakfast, all gone lol. Thank you for the beautiful work
Emily says
That's what I love about this bread, it's breakfast dessert, and a snack all in one!
Kay says
Such a delightful mix of flavours, enjoyed by all!
Amy says
Can't go wrong with apple and cinnamon! Delicious!
Emily says
I totally agree, Amy apples and cinnamon all day long!
Audrey says
Caramel apple glaze? Yes, please!
Emily says
Oh yes, it takes this bread from great to AMAZING!!
Ramona says
This apple bread was simply superb. Will make again this weekend with the organic apples that I have plenty of.
Emily says
I'm so glad to hear it, Ramona! I bet organic apples are amazing in this bread!