Description
A soft, spiced loaf soaked with real apple cider and finished with a crunchy cinnamon-sugar top — all the cozy vibes of an apple cider donut in sliceable loaf form.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cinnamon-sugar topping
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment, then set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until evenly blended.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk the melted butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each until the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the apple cider and vanilla until the wet mixture is uniform.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a spatula, mixing just until there are no large streaks of flour. Avoid overmixing to keep the crumb tender.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Bake 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Ovens vary, so begin checking at about 40 minutes.
- Let the loaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the warm loaf top with the 2 tablespoons melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the surface, pressing lightly so it adheres.
- Allow the loaf to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Substitute apple juice or buttermilk for apple cider in a pinch.
- Fold in 1 cup diced apples or ½ cup chopped nuts for more texture.
- Use plant-based butter to make the loaf dairy-free.
- For a dessert twist, drizzle with caramel sauce or a simple powdered-sugar glaze after cooling.
- To refresh leftovers, warm a slice for 8–10 seconds in the microwave or toast briefly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg