Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

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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 and Apple Fritters, Fresh Apple Tart 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 come 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 – 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.

What ingredients do I need for apple cinnamon pull apart bread?

• milk
• yeast
• sugar
• butter
• salt
• eggs
• flour
• apples
• ground cinnamon

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.

How do you 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.

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5 from 5 votes

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Apple Pull Apart Bread

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Rise time

1 hr 30 mins

Total Time

1 hr 15 mins

 

Layers of bread with chunks of apples and a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar between each layer.

Course: Bread, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Apple Bread, Apple Pull Apart Bread, Pull Apart Bread

Servings: 2 loaves

Calories: 140 kcal

Author: Kathy

Ingredients

Dough

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk warmed
• 1 package yeast
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 5 1/2 - 6 cups flour

Filling

• 1 large apple about 1 cup chopped
• 1/4 cup butter melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

Glaze

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon milk

Instructions

Dough

1. Use a stand mixer with a dough attachment.

2. Add milk to bowl. Sprinkle on yeast and sugar and stir lightly. Let sit for 5 minutes until mixture is bubbly.

3. Stir in melted butter, salt, eggs and 2 cups of flour. 

4. 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 1/2 cups of flour. 

5. Knead dough in stand mixer at low speed for 10 minutes.

6. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit until dough has doubled in size, approximately 60 minutes. 

7. When dough has doubled, punch down dough lightly to deflate dough. 

8. 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

1. Brush dough with butter. Sprinkle with sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkling apples evenly over dough. 

2. Use a pizza cutter or a knife to cut dough into smaller 3" x 4" pieces.

3. 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. 

4. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

5. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes.

6. Allow bread to cool for 20 minutes before removing from pan.

7. Continue cooling on a baking rack.

8. Cover with glaze if desired.

Glaze

1. Mix powdered sugar and milk together in a bowl until smooth. 

2. Pour glaze over top of bread allowing glaze to flow down the sides.

Nutrition Facts

Apple Pull Apart Bread

Amount Per Serving (2 slices)

Calories 140 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 55mg18%

Sodium 243mg11%

Potassium 60mg2%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 355IU7%

Vitamin C 0.7mg1%

Calcium 40mg4%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.