Imagine walking into your kitchen and being greeted by the intoxicating aroma of warm, freshly baked bread infused with the sweet essence of cinnamon and juicy apples. This isn't just any bread – this is a game-changing Apple Cinnamon Sourdough that will transform your baking game and impress everyone from casual home bakers to serious bread enthusiasts. With a perfect balance of tangy sourdough, warm spices, and tender apple chunks, this recipe is about to become your new weekend obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup diced apples
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of sourdough starter and 1 cup of warm water. Stir gently until the starter is dissolved in the water.
- Add 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Gradually add 3 cups of all-purpose flour to the mixture, one cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon or a spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
- Once the dough starts to come together, add 1 cup of diced apples. Gently fold them into the dough until they are evenly distributed.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a loaf by folding the edges toward the center and rolling it tightly.
- Place the shaped loaf into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cover it again with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen slightly above the rim of the pan.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough is rising for the second time.
- Once the loaf has risen, place it in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- Enjoy your homemade Apple Cinnamon Sourdough Bread fresh or toasted, with butter or your favorite spread!
Tips
- Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly before beginning the recipe for the best rise and flavor.
- Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that won't turn mushy during baking.
- Dice apples into small, uniform pieces to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area to help develop complex flavors and achieve optimal texture.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the bread's internal temperature reaches 190-200°F for perfect doneness.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent a gummy texture and help it set properly.
- Store your sourdough bread in a paper bag or bread box to maintain its crisp crust and soft interior.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
