There's something undeniably comforting about the combination of warm apples, cinnamon, and sweet dough. This delectable dish takes the beloved apple fritter and transforms it into a pull-apart bread, making it easy to share with family and friends. With its fluffy layers, sweet apple filling, and a dusting of cinnamon sugar, it's perfect for weekend brunches or as a delightful dessert after dinner.
Ingredients
Scale:
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F (43°C)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy.
Add the melted butter, eggs, salt, flour, and cinnamon to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean dish towel, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, combine the diced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Toss well and set aside.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
Spread the apple mixture evenly over the dough, then cut the dough into strips approximately 3 inches wide. Stack the strips and cut them into squares.
Arrange the squares in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan, cover, and let rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon for topping. Once the bread is out of the oven, brush with melted butter and sprinkle topping over the top.
