When I was younger, I was obsessed with this dish and always asked my mom to make it.
This indulgent loaf features layers of soft, buttery dough packed with sweet apples and cinnamon sugar. Its pull-apart design makes each bite a gooey, irresistible treat, finished with a delicate glaze.
Apple Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients
Dough
- All-purpose flour – 3 cups
- Granulated sugar – ¼ cup
- Active dry yeast – 2¼ tsp
- Salt – ½ tsp
- Unsalted butter, melted – ¼ cup
- Whole milk – ⅓ cup
- Water – ¼ cup
- Large eggs – 2
- Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Filling
- Apples, peeled and finely diced – 2 medium
- Granulated sugar – ½ cup
- Ground cinnamon – 2 tsp
- Unsalted butter, melted – ¼ cup
Glaze
- Powdered sugar – 1 cup
- Milk – 2/3 tbsp
- Vanilla extract – ½ tsp
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Warm the Liquids
Gently heat the melted butter, milk, and water in a small saucepan until warm (about 110°F). Pour into the dry ingredients, then add eggs and vanilla. Stir to combine.
3. Knead the Dough
Gradually add the remaining 1 cup of flour until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and knead about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Roll Out
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a glass baking dish. Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
6. Add Filling
Brush dough with melted butter. Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the surface, then scatter the diced apples on top.
7. Slice and Stack
Cut the dough into vertical strips. Stack the strips, then divide into smaller sections. Stand the pieces upright in the prepared pan.
8. Second Rise & Bake
Cover and let rise another 30 minutes. Bake 30–35 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
9. Glaze and Serve
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the warm bread and enjoy immediately.
