Easy Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf — A Cozy, Traditional Recipe

Nothing beats the smell of warm spices and baking apples filling the kitchen. This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is my go-to when I want something comforting, slightly nostalgic, and totally homemade. It’s an easy, traditional loaf that works for weekday breakfasts, slow Sunday brunches, holiday dessert tables, or as a thoughtful neighbor gift.

Whether you’re baking for a busy weeknight, a family gathering, or a chilly afternoon with tea, this apple cinnamon swirl loaf feels like a hug in bread form.

🧂 Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour (see gluten-free swap below)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (plus 1 tbsp for the swirl mixture)
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter)
• 2/3 cup (135 g) granulated sugar (or 2/3 cup erythritol/monk fruit blend)
• 1/3 cup (70 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs (or flax eggs — 2 tbsp flaxseed meal + 6 tbsp water)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk (or dairy-free yogurt)
• 1 large apple (about 1 to 1 1/4 cups), peeled and finely chopped or grated (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work great)
• Zest of 1 small lemon (optional — brightens the flavor)

For the cinnamon swirl:

• 1/3 cup (70 g) light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (or 2 tsp for extra spice)
• 1 tbsp melted butter (or melted coconut oil)

Optional cinnamon glaze:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk or plant milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of cinnamon

👩‍🍳 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. Make the swirl mix: In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, and melted butter. Set aside.
4. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
5. Add eggs and flavor: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and lemon zest. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
6. Alternate wet and dry: Add one-third of the dry mixture, then half the yogurt, then another third of dry, the rest of the yogurt, and finish with remaining dry. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix.
7. Fold in apples: Gently fold the chopped/grated apple into the batter.
8. Layer batter and swirl: Spread half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over batter. Spoon remaining batter on top, smoothing gently. Sprinkle remaining swirl mixture. Using a butter knife, create 6–8 figure-eight swirls through the batter — don’t overdo it or the swirl will blend away.
9. Bake: Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 35–40 minutes.
10. Cool: Let loaf cool in pan 15 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to a rack. Cool at least 30 minutes before glazing or slicing.
11. Optional glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over cooled loaf and let set before slicing.
12. Slice and enjoy: Use a serrated knife for clean slices. Serve slightly warm with butter or a smear of cream cheese.

Baking tips and timing notes:

• Prep time: ~15–20 minutes. Bake time: 50–60 minutes. Cooling: ~30–60 minutes.
• Room-temperature ingredients help everything come together smoothly.
• If using grated apple, squeezing out excess juice isn’t necessary for small amounts; larger amounts may make the batter too wet.
• For a deeper caramelized apple flavor, sauté apples in a tablespoon of butter and a pinch of cinnamon for 3–4 minutes before folding in.

💡 Tips & Variations:

• Gluten-free: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (look for one with xanthan gum) and add 1–2 tbsp extra yogurt if batter seems dense.
• Vegan: Use vegan butter, substitute eggs with flax eggs (2 tbsp flaxseed meal + 6 tbsp water = 2 eggs), and use dairy-free yogurt.
• Lower-carb / lower-sugar: Use almond flour substitution with caution (texture will change) or swap granulated sugar with erythritol/monk fruit. Reduce brown sugar in swirl and add a touch of cinnamon for full flavor.
• Protein boost: Swap half the flour for oat flour and add 1/4 cup of vanilla or plain protein powder. Or serve slices with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
• Add-ins: Chopped walnuts or pecans (1/2 cup) add crunch. Fold in 1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries for a holiday twist.
• Apple preparations: For pronounced apple pockets, dice apples rather than grate. For softer texture, use peeled apples; for a rustic look, leave skins on.
• Storage: Room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Refrigerate up to 5 days. Freeze wrapped slices for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge or pop directly into a toaster oven.
• Serving ideas: Serve warm with butter, cream cheese, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Pair with coffee or tea for brunch. Slice thinly for lunchbox treats.

🩺 Health & Lifestyle Tie-in:
Apples are a great source of fiber and bring natural sweetness so you can use less added sugar. Cinnamon not only tastes cozy but has been linked to helping steady blood sugar levels when used as part of a balanced diet. Choosing homemade treats over processed options can support better long-term health — and small choices like this one can add up to saved health care costs over time. If you’re tracking calories, lower-sugar swaps and smaller slices let you enjoy comfort without overdoing it.

If you’re into kitchen gear: a good 9×5 loaf pan, a silicone spatula, and a sharp serrated knife are worth investing in — they’ll make this recipe (and many others) reliably beautiful. (If you like, I’ll share my favorite tools and where to get them.)

❤️ Conclusion:
This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is simple to make, full of heartwarming flavor, and flexible enough to fit into many diets. I hope it fills your kitchen with that cozy, nostalgic scent and becomes a favorite in your home. If you make it, let me know in the comments or tag me on social — I’d love to see your version and any personal twists you add!

Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf

This Homemade Apple Cinnamon Swirl Loaf is comforting and slightly nostalgic, perfect for breakfasts, brunches, or as a gift.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free flour
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon Plus 1 tbsp for the swirl mixture
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg Optional
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened Can use vegan butter
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar May substitute with erythritol or monk fruit blend
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs Can substitute with flax eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt Can substitute with buttermilk or dairy-free yogurt
• 1 large apple Peeled and finely chopped or grated
• 1 small lemon zest Optional for added flavor

Cinnamon Swirl Mixture

• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon Or 2 tsp for extra spice
• 1 tbsp melted butter Or melted coconut oil

Optional Cinnamon Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk Or plant milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch cinnamon

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, and melted butter to make the swirl mix. Set aside.

Mixing the Batter

1. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
2. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and lemon zest. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
3. Add one-third of the dry mixture, then half the yogurt, then another third of dry, the rest of the yogurt, and finish with remaining dry. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix.
4. Gently fold the chopped/grated apple into the batter.

Baking

1. Spread half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over batter. Spoon remaining batter on top, smoothing gently. Sprinkle remaining swirl mixture.
2. Using a butter knife, create 6–8 figure-eight swirls through the batter — don’t overdo it or the swirl will blend away.
3. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly.
4. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out and transfer to a rack. Cool at least 30 minutes before glazing or slicing.

Optional Glazing

1. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over cooled loaf and let set before slicing.
2. Use a serrated knife for clean slices. Serve slightly warm with butter or a smear of cream cheese.

Notes

Room-temperature ingredients help everything come together smoothly. If using grated apple, you may not need to squeeze out excess juice unless the amount is large.