Apple Cinnamon Bread

Well this is my second attempt at baking bread, and I know it’s been a while, but this recipe has been a long time coming. Back in December/January we spent New Years Eve and the days following it in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and there was an adorable apple orchard and store that sold the most amazing apple cinnamon bread ever! If they would let me I would probably just live in the cafe and eat nothing but fresh bread all day long. Maybe not, but it’s a good dream. So I was feeling like some apple bread and decided to go for it. This recipe is tasty, and you really should be patient and let the dough rise – trust me it’s worth it, I know, I know, I have a hard time waiting around for the rising time too. So if you’re interested, here it is:

Apple Cinnamon Bread

Ingredients:

1 c milk
6 tbs butter
2-½ tsp active dry yeast
2 eggs
⅓ c sugar
3-½ c flour
1 tsp salt
⅓ c sugar
2 tbs cinnamon
1 small apple, diced

1/3 c powdered sugar
1-2 tsp milk

Directions:

Melt butter with milk. Heat until very warm, but do not boil. Allow this to cool until still warm to the touch, but not hot. Sprinkle yeast over the top, stir gently, and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
Combine flour and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix sugar and eggs with the paddle attachment until combined. Pour in the warm mixture and stir to combine. Add half the flour and beat on medium speed until combined. Add the other half and beat until combined.
Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead the dough on medium speed for ten minutes. If dough is still sticky, add 1/4 cup flour and beat for another 5 minutes. Heat a metal or glass mixing bowl so it’s warm. Drizzle in the oil and toss the dough in the oil to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm, place for about 2 hours.

Turn the dough out onto the work surface. Roll into a neat rectangle no wider than the loaf pan you’re going to use. Spread on the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the dough and top with apples. Starting at the far end, roll the dough toward you, keeping it tight and contained. Pinch seam to seal. Coat the loaf pan with softened butter. Place dough, seam down, in the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 2 hours. Mix a little egg with milk, and spread over the top. Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees on a middle/lower rack in the oven.

After baking, remove the bread to cool and drizzle the top with icing, serve warm, enjoy and maybe even share a few slices!