Description

A moist, spiced quick bread made with browned butter and reduced apple cider, finished with a cinnamon sugar coating. It’s a forgiving, one-bowl recipe perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup apple cider
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for coating)
2 tablespoons butter, melted (for coating)

Instructions

Pour 1 cup of apple cider into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until reduced to about 1/4 cup of syrupy liquid. Pour into a bowl and let cool completely.
Melt 1/2 cup butter in a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly until the milk solids turn golden brown and it smells nutty (about 3-5 minutes). Immediately remove from heat and pour into a heat-proof bowl. Let cool for 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, reduced cider, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and apple pie spice.
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.
While the loaf bakes, mix 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack.
While still warm, brush the top and sides generously with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Immediately sprinkle or roll the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered loaf.
Let cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Ensure the cider is reduced to a syrupy consistency to avoid a dense loaf. Brown the butter carefully as it burns quickly. Room temperature ingredients mix better. Check the loaf at 35 minutes and tent with foil if browning too fast. Cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. The sugar coating may soften after a day but flavor remains fresh.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 280
Sugar: 26
Sodium: 220
Fat: 11
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 42
Fiber: 1
Protein: 4

Keywords: fall baking, apple cider, brown butter, quick bread, donut loaf, cinnamon sugar, easy dessert, weeknight treat