Description
This Apple Cider Pull-Apart Bread is a warm, comforting fall treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Soft, fluffy dough is infused with the sweet and tangy flavor of apple cider, then baked to golden perfection. Each pull-apart piece is buttery, cinnamon-sugar coated, and ideal for sharing with family and friends during the autumn season.
Ingredients
Scale
For the dough:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm apple cider (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cinnamon-sugar coating:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For the glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. In a small bowl, activate the yeast by mixing it with warm apple cider. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix and knead the dough: Add the yeast mixture, milk, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until the dough starts to come together. Knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Assemble the bread: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle, about 12×18 inches. Brush the dough with the melted butter, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Cut and stack: Cut the dough into 6-8 equal strips, then stack the strips on top of each other. Cut the stack into squares (about 3-4 per strip).
- Place in pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and arrange the stacked dough squares inside, laying them on top of each other. Cover with a towel and let the dough rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed up.
- Bake the bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Glaze the bread: While the bread is baking, make the glaze by mixing powdered sugar and apple cider together until smooth. Once the bread is done, allow it to cool for 10 minutes before drizzling the glaze over the top.
- Serve and enjoy: Pull apart the bread into individual pieces and enjoy warm!
Notes
- You can make this bread ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for 1-2 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months—just reheat it before serving.
- If you don’t want to use a glaze, the bread is delicious on its own with the cinnamon-sugar coating.
- For extra richness, you can add chopped apples to the dough before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg