“Scrumptious Apple Cinnamon Loaf with Vanilla Glaze”

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Cinnamon Apple Mixture:
   • In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with 1/4 cup brown sugar and set aside. This will help enhance the flavor of the apples and keep them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
   • Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two parts, alternating with the sour cream (or yogurt). Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the Apples:
   • Gently fold the apple mixture into the batter until evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Optional Cinnamon Swirl:
   • In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
   • Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter. Add the remaining batter on top and swirl it with a knife to create a marbled effect.
8. Bake the Loaf:
   • Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs). If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
9. Prepare the Vanilla Glaze:
   • While the loaf is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
10. Cool and Glaze:
    • Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Once cooled, drizzle the vanilla glaze over the top of the loaf.
11. Serve:
    • Slice and enjoy your Scrumptious Apple Cinnamon Loaf with Vanilla Glaze! It’s perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tips:

• Apple Variety: Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance or sweet apples like Honeycrisp for a milder flavor.
• Storage: Keep the loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• Make it Moist: If you want an even moister loaf, you can substitute part of the butter with applesauce.

This Apple Cinnamon Loaf with Vanilla Glaze is the perfect fall treat, packed with warm spices and sweet apple chunks. The vanilla glaze adds a nice touch of sweetness to finish it off beautifully! Enjoy!