You can always count on this recipe—it's the first thing people finish at gatherings.

There's just something so comforting about the smell of apples and cinnamon wafting through the house, especially on a cool fall day. This apple fritter bread is a lovely twist on the classic donut shop favorite but in a loaf form that's perfect for slicing and sharing with family and friends. It's a wonderful treat for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert, and it’s a great way to use up those extra apples you might have from a recent trip to the orchard.

This apple fritter bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy breakfast. If you're looking to make it more of a complete meal, try serving it with a side of scrambled eggs or an egg casserole to add some protein. For a more decadent twist, consider adding a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream when you serve it as a dessert.

Servings: 8-10 slices

1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
2 cups peeled and chopped apples (choose your favorite variety)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2-3 teaspoons milk or cream

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

In a small bowl, mix together the light brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a larger mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, alternating with the 1/2 cup of milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.

Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Add half of the chopped apples on top, followed by half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Pour the remaining batter over the apple layer, then top with the remaining apples and cinnamon-sugar mixture. Lightly press the apples into the batter.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the glaze, mix together the powdered sugar with 2-3 teaspoons of milk or cream until you reach a drizzle-friendly consistency. Once the bread is cool, drizzle the glaze over the top.

If you have picky eaters at home, feel free to finely dice the apples so they blend more seamlessly into the bread. For a nutty addition, consider folding in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter. You can also switch up the fruit; pears or peaches would make delightful substitutions. For a healthier twist, try using whole wheat flour or reducing the sugar by a third—trust me, it will still be plenty sweet and delicious!