Go Back
–+ servings
Braided Apple Cinnamon Bread

Braided Apple Cinnamon Bread

This delicious, soft apple bread is perfect for breakfast or dessert. Rolling the apple-cinnamon filling inside a log of dough (like the start of cinnamon buns), then cutting that log in half and twisting it leaves the filling half in and half out, resulting in a lovely swirled appearance.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Bread, Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Slices

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Apple Filling

  • ⅓ c granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon spice
  • 3 c apples peeled and diced granny smith or honey crisp work well
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 c cheddar cheese shredded

Crumb for Filling

  • ¾ c all-purpose flour
  • ½ c brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • ¼ tsp maple extract

Dough

  • 4 c flour  plus extra for rolling out dough
  • ⅓ c granulated sugar
  • 2 envelopes active dry yeast
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ c water
  • ½ c buttermilk
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg white beaten
  • 1 tbsp water

Icing

  • 1 c powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk or half and half
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • ⅛ tsp maple extract

Instructions
 

Apple Filling

  • Combine granulated sugar, corn starch, cinnamon. Add in chopped apple and lemon juice. Toss until well-coated.
    Apple Filling

Crumb Filling

  • Place flour, brown sugar, maple extract, and butter in a bowl and cut in with a fork or pastry blender until it is a crumbly texture. If not dry enough to crumble, add in a bit more flour.
    Crumb Filling

Dough

  • Using a stand mixer, mix together 1 cup flour, granulated sugar, yeast powder, and salt.
    Dough
  • Heat water, buttermilk, and butter until warmed to about 125 degrees. Add gradually to the flour mixture.
    Dough Wet Ingredients
  • Beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, scraping bowl as needed.
  • Add the eggs and 1½ cups flour, mixing until combined.
  • Stir in enough of the remaining flour to achieve a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for approx. 8 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let dough rest for 15 minutes.

Assembly

  • Divide dough in half and roll each half to a 12x14 inch rectangle, trying to keep sides as straight as possible.
    Divide dough
  • Remove rectangles to the parchment lined baking sheets.
    Rolled out dough
  • Spoon ½ of apple mixture down center of rectangle in an approx. 3-inch strip.
    Apple Mixture
  • Sprinkle ½ of the cheddar cheese over the apples.
    Shredded Cheese over apples
  • Sprinkle ½ of the crumb filling over the apples and cheese.
    Crumbs over filling
  • Starting at one long end of the dough, make knife cuts approx. 3-inch long and 1-inch wide down length of the dough rectangle. Repeat for the other end.
  • Alternating sides, fold strips across to the center of the dough.
  • Repeat the process for the other half of the dough.
    Braided Dough
  • Cover braids and let rise for 1-hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Using a fork, mix water into egg white till thoroughly combined.
  • Brush egg white mixture across the top of each bread.
    Egg Wash Dough
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approx. 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Transfer from pans to wire racks to cool.
    Cooling Bread

Icing

  • Combine powdered sugar, milk, butter, and maple extract with a fork or whisk until smooth.
    Icing
  • Drizzle icing across the cooled braids.
    Finished Icing
Keyword Apple Cinnamon Bread, Braided Apple Cinnamon Bread, Homemade Apple Cinnamon Bread
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!