The Best Ever Caramel Apple Bread

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Liberally grease an 8" or 9" loaf pan with cooking spray; set aside.

Step 2

Cream the butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer in a medium bowl until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda into the lemon juice - mixture may fizz and bubble up, this is okay. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla until combined and pour the egg mixture into the butter mixture, beating well.

Step 3

Add in the flour, salt, and spices until just barely combined - do NOT over mix. There should be lots of flour spots still throughout the batter. Fold in the apples and mix until just barely combined again. Over-mixing will lead to a tough bread or a bread that sinks in the middle once baked.

Step 4

In another medium bowl, whisk together the dry streusel ingredients. Using 2 forks or a pastry cutter, cut the cold butter into the streusel mixture until you achieve coarse crumbs. Spread HALF of the apple bread mixture into the prepared pan. Top with HALF of the streusel and a drizzle of caramel (about 1/4 cup). Repeat layers.

Step 5

Bake for approximately 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the bread comes out clean or with moist - not wet - crumbs. Cool completely before serving. Just before serving, drizzle with more caramel sauce.