Apple Pull Apart Bread is filled with bits of apple, a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar all wrapped around a sweet yeast dough. In other words, delicious!
I've made a few different types of apple bread in the past. I've made Apple Babka, Apple Fritters, Cranberry Apple Bread, Apple Quick Bread and Baked Apple Cider Donuts! I love apples and cinnamon together. It's just such a great combination.
What is pull apart bread?
Pull apart bread is bread that is made in layers and is easy to pull apart. No knife needed to cut apart a slice. Monkey bread is a type of pull apart bread. Monkey bread is traditionally made with balls of dough. This pull apart bread is made with flat layers of dough.
I've tried a couple of different ways to layer this bread. I came up with two different methods. My first method is to place the layers all in one even row. This creates a nice uniform looking bread.
My second method is stacking four layers together and then randomly placing the stacks in the pan for the second method. It creates a fun rustic-looking bread. Both are equally delicious - the choice is all yours!
What type of apples are best to use?
You want to use a firm apple that won't fall apart when baking. I've used Fuji and Braeburn. Other good apples to use include Granny Smith and Gala. Usually, if it's a crisp apple, it's great for baking.
Do I grate or chop the apples?
I've chopped the apples because I like biting into bits of apple. Grating the apple would also work in this recipe.
To make the layers
- Roll out your dough into a rectangle.
- Brush on butter and sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar.
- Sprinkle chopped apples on top
- Cut dough into small pieces using a pizza cutter
- Stack dough
- Place dough in a bread pan with the ends facing up
- Layers can be placed in a straight row or in a random pattern
To place the layers in a bread pan, first stack four pieces together, turn layers on their side and then place in pan.
Some of the filling will fall off, but just scoop up any apple bits and add to the top after you've placed the dough in the pan. You can place the layers all in a straight row, or add each stack of four in a random placement.
Do I need to add a glaze?
You can add a glaze if you'd like. I've made it both ways. The glaze gives it a nice finished look and adds a bit of extra sweetness, but this bread is just as delicious without a glaze.
If you are looking for other great bread recipes to try, you might want to check out apricot cinnamon rolls and raspberry sweet rolls.
Another great pull apart bread you might want to try is my Garlic Pull Apart Bread.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my bread recipes.
Apple Pull Apart Bread
Equipment
- Bread Pan
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (warmed)
- 1 package yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 5 ½ - 6 cups flour
Filling
- 1 large apple (about 1 cup chopped)
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Glaze
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk
Instructions
Dough
- Use a stand mixer with a dough attachment.
- Add milk to bowl. Sprinkle on yeast and sugar and stir lightly. Let sit for 5 minutes until mixture is bubbly.1 ½ cups whole milk, 1 package yeast, 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- Stir in melted butter, salt, eggs and 2 cups of flour.½ cup butter, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 eggs, 5 ½ - 6 cups flour
- Continue adding flour with the mixer running on low speed until dough begins to come together and forms a ball. You might not need to add the last ½ cups of flour.
- Knead dough in stand mixer at low speed for 10 minutes.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit until dough has doubled in size, approximately 60 minutes.
- When dough has doubled, punch down dough lightly to deflate dough.
- Place dough on counter and roll out into a rectangle - approximately 18" x 12" You can make larger if desired. The larger the rectangle, the thinner the layers.
Filling
- Brush dough with butter. Sprinkle with sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkling apples evenly over dough.¼ cup butter, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 large apple
- Use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut dough into smaller 3" x 4" pieces.
- Gently pick up squares and place in stacks of four. Place each stack with the end sides up in a greased bread pan. Stacks can be placed in a straight line or each stack of four can be place in a random order.
- Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes.
- Allow bread to cool for 20 minutes before removing from pan.
- Continue cooling on a baking rack.
- Cover with glaze if desired.
Glaze
- Mix powdered sugar and milk together in a bowl until smooth.¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon milk
- Pour glaze over top of bread allowing glaze to flow down the sides.
Video
Notes
- You want to use a firm apple that won't fall apart when baking. I've used Fuji and Braeburn. Other good apples to use include Granny Smith and Gala. Usually if it's a crisp apple, it's great for baking.
- The glaze gives it a nice finished look and adds a bit of extra sweetness, but this bread is just as delicious without a glaze.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Jae says
Tried making it with gluten free 1:1 all purpose flour. Turned out terrible. Never rose, cracked and crumbly, and didn't fluff when baking. Any suggestions?
Kathy says
I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I don't have much experience using gluten free flour. Make certain your yeast is still active. And here is a quote from King Arthur baking "Gluten-free baking with yeast can be trickier than other recipes, due to the unique role that gluten plays in breads, pizzas, and other yeasted baked goods. As a result, it's best not to try to make an existing yeast bread recipe gluten-free"
Wren says
If I only have one bread pan and can only bake one loaf at a time, would you recommend refrigerating the half that I'm baking second (while the first is baking) and baking the individual loaves for less time than the recipe originally says?
Kathy says
Hello,
You can bake one pan at a time. I would recommend you split the dough in half right before the first rise. Refrigerate one half and proceed with the second half. You should be able to keep the dough refrigerated for a couple of days. The baking time should not be adjusted when cooking just one loaf.
Enjoy,
Kathy 🙂
Renee Searles says
Is there a lazy way to make something similar? ☺️ Maybe with pillsbury biscuits or something?
Kathy says
Hi Renee,
I know the feeling - sometimes we just want something a bit quicker! 🙂 I have only made this bread with the yeasted dough. However, I know there are recipes out there that use a quick version with ready made biscuit dough. I have not tried them though!
Happy baking - Kathy 🙂
Kinnari says
Can I substitute oat milk for whole milk or would I be ruining it? Looks so pretty!
Kathy says
Hi Kinnari,
I have not ever used oat milk before. However I did a quick search and it sounds like you can substitute it 1:1 for whole milk. Let me know how it turns out!
Kathy
Cheryl says
Yummy! Looks great! Have you tried freezing it? I tend to bake goods on the weekend, eat them for a day or two and then freeze the rest to enjoy later.
Kathy says
Hi Cheryl,
I have not tried freezing this bread. It disappears too quickly in my house with three teenagers. If you do freeze, don't add the glaze until the bread if fully thawed.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
OMG Kathy! This bread looks delicious! Perfect for weekend brunch!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
Oh Kathy, this looks incredible! Delicious - what a great way to start a weekend with a nice cup of coffee and this bread!
Fred G says
Looks great. Can almost smell it cooking.
Adina says
Absolutely perfect looking bread! I would love some of it right now.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Ok, this looks absolutely DIVINE, Kathy! Apple and cinnamon in a delicious pull apart bread form? I could eat the entire loaf, I'm sure of it! Pinned! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks, Dawn!
David @ Spiced says
You are totally calling my name with this recipe, Kathy! I love a good pull-apart bread, and the flavors in this one are right up my alley. I love cinnamon anything, and I could totally go with a couple slices (or maybe just the whole darned loaf) along with my coffee right now! 🙂
Kathy says
It is hard to stop at just a couple of slices!