Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread Recipe

Hey y'all! If you love cozy fall flavors and gorgeous swirls, this Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread Recipe will absolutely make your kitchen smell divine. Tender, pillowy dough wraps around ribbons of sweet-cinnamon apples, creating a bread that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or gifting. With its stunning appearance and melt-in-your-mouth texture, you'll want to make this babka again and again. Let's get cooking!

Why You'll Love This

• Swirled with juicy apples and sweet cinnamon sugar, every slice bursts with comforting flavor.
• The dough is incredibly soft, rich, and stays moist for days—ideal for snacking!
• This recipe yields a showstopper loaf that's perfect for holiday brunches or gifts.
• Easy-to-follow directions ensure home bakers of all levels can succeed.
• It fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of baked apples and warm spices.

Ingredients

• For the Dough:
  • 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, warmed to 110°F
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened
• For the Apple Cinnamon Filling:
  • 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup (55g) brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
• For Brushing & Topping:
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling
  • Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix briefly to combine.
2. Add the warmed milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed (using a stand mixer with dough hook or by hand) until a shaggy dough forms, about 2 minutes.
3. Gradually add the softened butter, mixing after each addition. Continue kneading for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky.
4. Form dough into a ball, transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the Apple Cinnamon Filling

1. While dough rises, toss diced apples in lemon juice. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
2. Add apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring, 4-6 minutes until apples are soft and liquid is syrupy. Let cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Assemble the Babka

1. Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 10x18-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.
2. Evenly spread the cooled apple filling over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
3. Starting from a long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
4. Slice the log lengthwise down the center to reveal the apple filling. Twist the two halves together, keeping the cut sides facing up.
5. Carefully transfer the twisted dough to a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cover loosely and let rise about 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.

Step 4: Bake and Finish

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
2. Whisk together egg and water for the egg wash and brush over babka. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired.
3. Bake 40-45 minutes, until golden brown and the center registers 190°F (88°C). Tent loosely with foil at the 30-minute mark if browning quickly.
4. Let babka cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing, if you like.

Notes

• If your kitchen is cool, let the dough rise in an oven with the light on to help speed up fermentation.
• Be sure to allow the apple filling to cool fully so it doesn't melt the dough.
• Chilling the rolled dough for 10 minutes makes slicing and twisting the babka much easier.

Variations

• Maple Walnut: Add ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts and 2 tablespoons maple syrup to the apple filling.
• Cream Cheese: Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese before adding the apples for a tangy twist.
• Chocolate Apple: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the apple filling for a decadent flavor combo.

Required Equipment

• Stand mixer with dough hook (or large mixing bowl and wooden spoon)
• Rolling pin
• 9x5-inch loaf pan
• Small skillet
• Wire cooling rack
• Parchment paper (optional, for easy removal)

Storage Instructions

• Store babka at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• To reheat, warm slices in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes to refresh texture.

Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations

• Enjoy warm with a generous spread of salted butter or apple butter.
• Serve alongside coffee, chai, or hot apple cider for a comforting treat.
• Top slices with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.

Pro Tips

• Be patient when kneading—the dough should be very soft but pull away from the bowl cleanly.
• Twisting the cut dough halves with the filling facing outward makes the loaf extra beautiful and flavorful.
• If you want neat slices, let the babka cool completely before cutting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough up to step 1, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let warm up at room temp before shaping.

Which apples work best for this recipe?

Firm, tart-sweet apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold up best during baking.

Why did my babka collapse after baking?

This can happen if it's slightly underbaked or slightly over-proofed. Be sure to bake until the center registers 190°F (88°C).

Prep and Total Time

• Prep Time: 35 minutes (plus rising time)
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: about 2 hours 30 minutes

★★★★★ 4.70 from 50 ratings

Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread Recipe

yield: 8 servings

prep: 35 mins

cook: 45 mins

total: 50 mins

This Apple Cinnamon Babka Bread is a soft, braided yeast bread filled with spiced apple filling and a swirl of cinnamon sugar, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

🖨️ Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ½ cup whole milk, warm
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. 1
   In a large bowl, combine warm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2
   Add the remaining sugar, eggs, butter, salt, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8-10 minutes, then cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
3. 3
   Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, cook diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened. Let the filling cool.
4. 4
   Roll the dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the apple-cinnamon filling evenly over the dough.
5. 5
   Roll the dough up tightly into a log, then slice lengthwise and twist the two halves together. Place in a greased loaf pan, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
6. 6
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the babka for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool before slicing and serving.

CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 290 caloriescal

Protein: 6gg

Fat: 7gg

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 0mg

Potassium: 0mg

Total Carbs: 50gg

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Net Carbs: 0g

Vitamin A: 0

Vitamin C: 0mg

Calcium: 0mg

Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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