Spiced Apple Bread with Crumble Topping

Introduction

Spiced Apple Bread with Crumble Topping is a moist, fragrant quick bread that combines the warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with the natural sweetness of apples. What makes this bread extra special is the buttery crumble topping — golden, crunchy, and slightly sweet, it adds both texture and bakery-style charm. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, this bread tastes like autumn wrapped in a loaf.

Why I Love This Recipe ❤️

I love this recipe because it has everything I want in a cozy homemade bake:

• The bread itself is tender and moist thanks to fresh apples.
• The warm spices make your kitchen smell heavenly while baking.
• The crumble topping creates a bakery-quality finish that’s both rustic and irresistible.

It’s the kind of bread you make on a chilly morning with a hot cup of coffee or tea, or when you want to share something special with family and friends.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Perfect for Fall & Winter: Apples and warm spices bring seasonal comfort.
• Bakery-Style Crumble: Makes it extra indulgent and beautiful.
• Simple but Special: Quick to prepare, yet impressive enough for gatherings.
• Versatile Treat: Works for breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 55–65 minutes
• Total Time: ~1 hour 25 minutes (including cooling)
• Servings: 8–10 slices (1 loaf)
• Calories: ~280–320 per slice (depending on topping and add-ins)
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups peeled, finely diced apples (about 2 medium apples)

For the Crumble Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven and prepare loaf pan.
2. Mix dry ingredients for bread in one bowl.
3. Whisk wet ingredients in another bowl, then combine.
4. Fold in apples.
5. Prepare crumble topping by rubbing butter into flour, sugar, and cinnamon.
6. Pour batter into loaf pan, top with crumble, and bake until golden and cooked through.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Preheat & Prep Pan:
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
   • In a large bowl, whisk eggs, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Combine Batter:
   • Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined (do not overmix).
   • Fold in diced apples.
5. Prepare Crumble Topping:
   • In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
   • Add cold butter cubes and rub with fingers or a pastry cutter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
6. Assemble & Bake:
   • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
   • Sprinkle crumble topping evenly over the batter.
   • Bake for 55–65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool & Slice:
   • Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
   • Remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

How to Serve

• Serve warm or at room temperature with butter or cream cheese.
• Pairs wonderfully with coffee, chai, or apple cider.
• Can be dressed up with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use tart apples (like Granny Smith) for contrast, or sweet apples (like Honeycrisp) for extra flavor.
• Ensure apples are finely diced so they bake evenly into the bread.
• If topping browns too quickly, tent loaf loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
• Let bread cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.

Variations

• Nutty Twist: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
• Glazed Finish: Drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze instead of crumble topping.
• Spiced Upgrade: Add ginger or allspice for a more complex spice profile.
• Mini Loaves or Muffins: Divide batter into mini loaf pans or muffin tins, adjusting baking time (20–25 minutes for muffins).

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Wrap cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • To serve, thaw overnight in fridge and rewarm slices in the microwave or oven.

Special Equipment Needed

• 9x5-inch loaf pan
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Whisk and spatula
• Pastry cutter or fork (for crumble topping)
• Cooling rack

Conclusion

Spiced Apple Bread with Crumble Topping is a comforting, bakery-style loaf that fills your home with the aromas of cinnamon and baked apples. Moist, tender, and crowned with a golden buttery crumble, this bread is a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of fall. Whether for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a sweet ending to dinner, this recipe is bound to become a seasonal favorite.