This delightful apple cinnamon crumb bread is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a simple dessert.
Its tender crumb and irresistible pecan streusel topping combine to create a treat that feels both comforting and special. You’ll find yourself reaching for another slice before you know it!
Making this bread is a breeze, even for novice bakers. With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, you can whip up a batch that will fill your home with the warm, inviting scent of apples and cinnamon. Get ready to enjoy a slice of pure homemade happiness!
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Crumb Bread with Pecans
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Description
This delightful apple cinnamon crumb bread is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a simple dessert. Its tender crumb and irresistible pecan streusel topping combine to create a treat that feels both comforting and special. You’ll find yourself reaching for another slice before you know it!
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to easily lift the bread out later.
2. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well combined and there are no lumps.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly fine.
4. Gently fold the finely diced apples into the batter. Ensure the apple pieces are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
5. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until crumbly. Stir in the chopped pecans.
6. Pour the bread batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the pecan streusel topping generously over the entire surface of the batter. Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
7. Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before carefully lifting it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla extract for the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
Keywords: apple, cinnamon, crumb bread, pecan, streusel, breakfast, snack, dessert, easy, homemade
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This apple cinnamon crumb bread is a fantastic recipe for so many reasons, making it a go-to choice for busy families and anyone craving a delicious homemade treat without a lot of fuss. It’s incredibly forgiving, meaning even if you’re new to baking, you’ll likely achieve a wonderfully moist and flavorful loaf. The combination of sweet apples and warm cinnamon is universally appealing, making it a hit with both kids and adults. It’s perfect for a weekend brunch, a thoughtful gift for a neighbor, or simply to have on hand for a quick breakfast or an after-school snack. The nutty pecan streusel adds a delightful crunch and extra layer of flavor that elevates this simple bread to something truly special.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the baking process smooth and enjoyable. You’ll find most of these items are pantry staples, making this a convenient recipe to pull together on short notice.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil (or other neutral oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups peeled, cored, and finely diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
When it comes to ingredients, feel free to use your favorite type of apple. Granny Smith apples offer a nice tart contrast, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples provide a sweeter, softer bite. If you don’t have pecans, walnuts make an excellent substitute in the streusel. For the milk, any dairy or non-dairy milk will work perfectly. If you prefer to skip the glaze, the bread is still absolutely delicious on its own!
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, allowing you to enjoy a warm, homemade treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Follow these simple steps to create your perfect apple cinnamon crumb bread with pecans.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to easily lift the bread out later.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients for the Bread: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these dry ingredients together until they are well combined and there are no lumps.
- Combine Wet Ingredients and Add to Dry: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Fold in the Apples: Gently fold the finely diced apples into the batter. Ensure the apple pieces are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Prepare the Pecan Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the ½ cup all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until crumbly. Stir in the chopped pecans.
- Assemble and Bake the Bread: Pour the bread batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the pecan streusel topping generously over the entire surface of the batter. Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze (Optional): Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before carefully lifting it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla extract for the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread just before serving.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This apple cinnamon crumb bread is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a more intense apple flavor, you could add a tablespoon of apple pie spice to the dry ingredients. If you’re not a fan of pecans, walnuts or even a mix of nuts would work beautifully in the streusel. For a kid-friendly twist, you might omit the nuts from the streusel and instead sprinkle a handful of mini chocolate chips over the batter before adding the crumb topping.
This bread makes a fantastic addition to any breakfast or brunch spread, served alongside fresh fruit and a cup of coffee or tea. It’s also perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up with a glass of milk. For a more decadent dessert, warm a slice slightly and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It’s also sturdy enough to pack in lunchboxes for a sweet treat.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help ensure your apple cinnamon crumb bread turns out perfectly every time.
- Overmixing the Batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense bread instead of a tender crumb. Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated into the wet, and stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.
- Not Dicing Apples Finely Enough: If your apple pieces are too large, they might not soften properly during baking, leaving you with crunchy bits. Finely dicing ensures they cook through and integrate well into the bread’s texture.
- Baking at the Wrong Temperature: An oven that’s too hot can burn the streusel before the inside of the bread is cooked, while an oven that’s too cool can result in a dry, underbaked loaf. Use an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is at the correct temperature.
- Not Cooling Properly: Slicing into warm bread can cause it to crumble and lose its structure. While tempting, allow the bread to cool for at least 10-15 minutes in the pan and then completely on a wire rack before slicing. This allows the internal structure to set.
- Uneven Streusel Distribution: Make sure to sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top of the batter. This ensures every slice gets a delightful crumbly topping.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Proper storage is key to keeping your apple cinnamon crumb bread fresh and delicious.
Once completely cooled, store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you’ve added a glaze, it’s best to store it in a container with a loose-fitting lid or on a plate covered lightly with plastic wrap to prevent the glaze from becoming sticky.
For longer storage, this bread freezes beautifully. Once completely cooled, wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, simply unwrap and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours, or warm individual slices gently in the microwave or toaster oven.
You can also prepare the streusel topping ahead of time. Mix the dry streusel ingredients and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Melt the butter and combine with the dry mix just before sprinkling over the batter. This can save you a few minutes on baking day.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions people have when making this delightful apple cinnamon crumb bread.
Q: Can I use frozen apples? A: While fresh apples are best for texture, you can use frozen apples if thawed and patted very dry to remove excess moisture. This prevents the bread from becoming too soggy.
Q: What kind of apples are best for baking? A: Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp,
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
