Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

Apple cinnamon pull apart bread has multiple layers of soft bread studded with sweet apple bits and warm cinnamon sugar. It’s a like a loaf of apple cinnamon rolls!

Fans of cinnamon rolls will love this pull apart bread! It has all the textures and flavors of apple cinnamon rolls in a more convenient form. No need for plates or utensils. This cinnamon bread is meant to be picked and pulled at like monkey bread.

These apple cinnamon pull apart bread is suitable any time of day! From breakfast to after dinner dessert, it’s good time to enjoy this sweet baked treat.

It’s a soft and fluffy bread that is meant to be shared and eaten as soon as it’s baked. Making this the perfect treat to serve during celebrations when you’ve got plenty of people to feed. I love serving it for Sunday brunch with friends or a sweet appetizer leading up to Thanksgiving.

Best of all, you can make and bake the bread loaf ahead of time. Pop in the oven before serving to warm it up.

Forgiving Yeast Dough

If you are new to working with yeast, I highly recommend this yeast tutorial. The comprehensive guide demystifies yeast. You will be equipped to handle and tackle any recipes dealing with yeast!

The dough is very soft and easy to work it. It’s similar to the kind of dough you’d use to make a regular cinnamon roll. It can be made with either active dry yeast or instant yeast. 

For ease, I recommend using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment to mix the dough. However, with some additional time and effort, you may certainly mix the dough by hand.

The key to easy to roll dough is resting time. The dough is pushed and pulled and agitated during mixing and kneading. All that tension creates the flexible, elastic gluten in the dough.

When the gluten is given ample time to relax and rest, the dough will be much easier to roll out! It will not shrink back! Suggested resting time for stand mixer dough is about an hour. It’s a little longer for hand mixed dough, about 90 minutes resting time.

Apple Cinnamon Filling

The filling is a mixture of diced Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Granny Smith work best in this recipe. They hold their shape well during baking and their slightly tart flavor pops through the sweet cinnamon mixture. 

Other apple varieties may turn into mush. Or, they may make the filling taste even sweeter.

I chopped up the apples in a fine dice. You can slice them any which way you’d like. Thinly sliced apple also work great!

How to Assemble Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

• 1. Roll dough to a rectangle about 20 x 12-inches. Spread softened butter all over dough.
• 2. Distribute apple cinnamon mixture over buttered dough.
• 3. Cut the dough in half lengthwise (the long way) and then cut into 5 sections vertically. 

• 4. Make two stacks using the 10 strips of dough. The, cut each stack into three parts. 
• 5. Place the stacks on their side in bread pan. Stagger stacks or simply file them in rows. Pour any cinnamon sugar mixture that may have escaped into the bread pan.

Yes, assembling the pull apart bread loaf can get messy. Don’t worry. You can pour all the escaped apple cinnamon sugar mixture into the bread pan later.

Place the stacks on their sides in a bread pan.

Stagger them to create movement and drama, or simply file them in rows. Cover the bread pan with plastic wrap and allow the bread to rise.Once the bread reaches the top of the pan, it’s time to pop them in the oven.

Honey Glaze

This wonderfully aromatic, warm and inviting apple cinnamon pull apart bread is delicious straight from the oven.You may certainly start snacking on the bread as is.

However, I highly suggest adding a generous drizzle of honey glaze. The honey glaze is a simple mixture of butter, honey, confectioners’ sugar, and milk.

You may add a touch of vanilla extract or almond extract to add even more flavor! The honey glaze may used in a variety of recipes including: lemon shortbread cookies, banana bundt cake, or morning glory muffins.

Serving and Storage

This pull apart bread should be served the day it is baked. I suggest serving it within hours of baking for the best experience. 

Store leftovers at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days.

Make Ahead Option

If you would like to make the bread ahead of time- unmold bread and cool to room temperature. Do not add glaze yet! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to two days.

Gently reheat in 325 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes until warm. Remove from the oven and unmold. Top with honey glaze. Serve immediately while the bread is still warm!

More Apple Cinnamon Recipes

• Apple Cinnamon Rolls
• Apple Cinnamon Pop Tarts
• Cinnamon Apple Pancakes