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This cinnamon-dusted apple cider loaf with its sweet sugar shell makes every breakfast extra snuggly. You'll get all those wonderful apple cider donut tastes without the hassle of deep frying. The inside stays soft and moist while the outside turns delightfully crunchy—perfect for both everyday family meals and special holiday gatherings.
The first time I pulled this loaf from my oven, it didn't even have time to cool down completely. Everyone in my house kept sneaking by for just one more small slice until it was gone.
Round Up Your Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: Builds the backbone and soft texture. Grab a new package for the most accurate measurements.
- Salt: Cuts the sweetness and lifts the spice notes. Regular fine table salt works great here.
- Unsalted butter: Creates moisture and rich taste. American Challenge or Land O'Lakes can make this loaf extra yummy.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and forms the outer crust. Plain white sugar from your pantry is perfect.
- Apple cider: Brings natural apple sweetness and flavor punch. Try Martinelli's or a local farmers market brand for the best taste.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth to the sugar coating. McCormick or Simply Organic brands will do the trick.
How to Make It
- Warm Up the Oven:
- Turn your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait until it's completely heated for the best rise. Get a 9x5 inch loaf pan ready with cooking spray or parchment paper.
- Beat Butter and Sugar:
- Drop softened butter and sugar into a big bowl. Use an electric mixer to whip them together until they look pale and fluffy. This usually takes 3-5 minutes and helps make your loaf light.
- Mix Dry Stuff:
- In another bowl, stir flour and salt together until they're totally mixed. This helps avoid flour lumps in your finished loaf.
- Add the Liquid:
- Pour apple cider into your butter-sugar mix. Stir gently until it's just combined. The cider will make everything smell amazing as it mixes in.
- Combine Everything:
- Slowly add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or with a spoon until barely combined. Don't mix too much or your loaf will turn out tough. Stop once you can't see any dry flour.
- Fill the Pan:
- Dump the thick batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top so it bakes evenly.
- Bake it Up:
- Put the pan on the middle rack and bake for 30-45 minutes. Check if it's done by poking a toothpick in the middle. It should come out clean or with just tiny crumbs.
- Mix the Topping:
- While it's baking, mix sugar and cinnamon in a small dish for the coating. This sweet, spicy mix should be ready when your loaf comes out warm.
- Finish with Sugar:
- After baking, let the loaf sit in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Take it out while still warm and right away cover the whole outside with cinnamon sugar. Tip the loaf different ways and sprinkle sugar all over until it's completely coated.
I always take a little sip of the cider before adding it to the batter. My children love to help me sprinkle the sugar coating, which turns baking into a fun family activity.
Flavor Boosters
Try adding a bit of orange zest in springtime. During Christmas, toss a tiny bit of nutmeg and allspice into the cinnamon sugar mix. In warmer months, swap the apple cider for pear cider to shake things up.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy big chunks plain alongside your morning brew. For something fancier, brown slices in a pan with a bit of butter or top with a dollop of vanilla ice cream as a simple dessert. It's amazing with hot spiced cider for a double apple treat.
Creative Twists
You can use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and still get fantastic results. If you don't have fresh cider, regular apple juice works too—just add extra cinnamon for more flavor. Out of butter? Melted coconut oil can work as a substitute, though it will change the taste a bit.
I found out the hard way that if you let the loaf get too cool before adding sugar, it won't stick properly. Don't rush it, but don't wait forever either. That first bite will remind you why nothing beats something made from scratch.
Common Questions About This Recipe
- → How do you achieve a moist texture in this loaf?
The combination of apple cider and properly mixing butter with sugar helps create softness and keeps moisture locked in.
- → What's the best way to coat with cinnamon sugar?
Let the bread cool for around 10 minutes, then dust or roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture while it's still slightly warm.
- → Can you substitute ingredients for non-dairy needs?
You can swap in non-dairy butter alternatives and plant milks with similar outcomes in this bread.
- → How should you store leftovers?
Cover the bread completely and store at room temp for up to three days to keep it soft and flavorful.
- → Can you make this loaf ahead?
You can bake it early and add the cinnamon sugar coating right before you serve it for maximum freshness and texture.