This incredibly delicious apple bread recipe is really an apple streusel bread because it is topped with brown sugar, cinnamon, and oat streusel. It is our most favorite quick bread recipe. Prefer it without streusel? Try my apple carrot bread recipe.

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One of my favorite recipes is from the amazing cookbook Apples for Jam, which I adore. Everyone in my house loves this recipe, even my picky eater, though he prefers his without topping and no crusts, thankyouverymuch.
I love it for the kids especially because the bread is the perfect go-to item to have on hand - for breakfast, for a snack, even for dessert with a little whipped cream - it's just perfect! Plus it's got apples in it, and anywhere I can sneak some good stuff into my kids, I will!
The bread is moist and the topping is all caramelized, ooh it's just heavenly! I've made this sweet treat for friends and breakfast meetings at work, and playdates for the kids. For apple season, it doesn't get much better than this recipe. (Though my Sweet Potato Bread is pretty good too.)
I hope you enjoy this, it's one of our most favorite recipes. You'll love this cookbook, too - so many wonderful recipes!

🧂 Ingredients
- apples
- granulated sugar
- unsalted butter
- eggs
- pure vanilla extract
- baking soda AND baking powder
- all-purpose flour
- cardamom and cinnamon
- salt

Cinnamon Brown Sugar & Oat Streusel Topping
For me, the thing that takes this great recipe to the next level is the irresistible cinnamon streusel topping.
- rolled oats
- brown sugar (light or dark)
- ground cinnamon
This is meant to be a brief overview of the apple bread recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
🔪Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter and flour the pan really well! This cinnamon apple bread tends to stick for sure.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Sift the flour mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix them until just combined – do not overbeat.
- Stir in apples and pour into the pan.
- Mix the topping ingredients together in a small bowl (do not add butter!) and gently press the topping down on top of the batter.
- Bake for 45 minutes, check the bread after 30 minutes or so and cover the top with foil if it seems to be getting too brown. It is finished when the top is crusty and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread rest for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Wait until the bread cools before cutting.

Equipment
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- Bread Pan
- Cutting Board and Paring Knife
- Vegetable Peeler and Box Grater
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons and Dry Measuring Cups
- Stand Mixer or hand mixer with a large bowl
- Spoonula (for scraping down the bowl)
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💭 Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this easy quick bread recipe.
My personal favorite apples are Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apples and I love how they hold up for baking. I don't particularly care for MacIntosh apples as they can become mealy and mushy. Some of the other best apples for baking: Jonagold, Cortland, Braeburn, and Fuji. However, many readers have told me that they prefer granny smith apples.
Yes! Just wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Don't forget to label it!
For this bread in particular however, the topping does not freeze well. You could make the bread and leave off the topping, but that's my favorite part.
Streusel is usually made with butter, sugar, and flour plus your chosen spices.
📖 Variations
For this apple streusel bread, you can use individual spices, as I have listed in the recipe card below, or you can use 1 teaspoon of my Apple Pie Spice.
This is really best with fresh apples, however, it can be made with apple sauce. Substitute ⅓ cup of apple sauce instead of using a freshly grated apple. For both apples, use ⅔ cup.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Apple bread is yummy for breakfast or as a snack after school. It's great for a lunch box snack, too.
If you like, you can make a quick glaze for your bread using 1 cup of sifted confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar) with 1-2 tablespoons of milk, water, or even apple juice if you like. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and add additional liquid if you want your glaze to be thinner. You can also add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or apple spice mix to make a cinnamon glaze.
⏲️ Storage
This bread will last about 4-5 days in an airtight container. As it is a very moist bread, I find that it's best chilled and from the refrigerator. Therefore, I recommend that you store your apple bread in the refrigerator. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To freeze, follow the baking instructions, and then allow the bread to cool completely. Although it may seem excessive, the best way to freeze this bread is to wrap it in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag. (Don't forget to label!) Quick breads packaged this way will last in the freezer up to 6 months.
Related: apple blueberry muffins
😋 Similar Recipes
Quick breads are such a great versatile recipe and I really love making them. If you enjoy this easy apple bread recipe, then you have to check out these other recipes:
- DownEast Maine Pumpkin Bread
- Banana and Carrot Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
- Chocolate Marble Zucchini Bread
- Blueberry Sour Cream Bread
- Pineapple Banana Bread
Related: 55+ Delicious Apple Recipes for Fall
You might also like to take a peek at some of my favorite apple recipes like this Easy Toffee Apple Dip or Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler - both nice simple recipes. Our Apple Spiced Bundt Cake is super popular with readers, also.
Not ready to make this delicious quick bread yet?
Don’t forget to pin the recipe so you can enjoy this yummy goodness later! If you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

Apple Bread with Cinnamon Brown Sugar and Oat Topping
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Equipment
- Bread Pan
Ingredients
- 2 apples peeled and grated
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 10 tbsp butter room temperature
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
Cinnamon Brown Sugar & Oat Topping
- ⅔ cup rolled oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter and flour the pan really well! This bread tends to stick for sure.
- Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.⅔ cup sugar, 10 tablespoon butter
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla.1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 eggs
- Sift the dry ingredients into the bowl and mix them until just combined – do not overmix.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon cardamom, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, pinch salt
- Fold in the grated apple.2 apples
- Pour into the pan.
- Mix the topping ingredients together (do not add butter!) and gently press the topping down on the batter.⅔ cup rolled oats, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Bake for 45 minute, check the bread after 30 minutes or so and cover the top with foil if it seems to be getting too brown. It is finished when the top is crusty and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread rest for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Wait until the bread cools before cutting.
Notes
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Linda says
When you say 1/4 pound of butter I think you are talking about 1 stick of butter. Am I right?
Ang Paris says
yes that is correct Linda 🙂
tanya Richard says
This recipe is so easy and yummy!
Ang Paris says
So glad you enjoyed it!!