Apple Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread

It was my birthday last Thursday, so my amazing sister and mom threw me a Mexican fiesta at my parent's house. I am not big on going out for my birthday anymore, and am happiest when my family and close friends are around me. I've mentioned this before, but my mom always cooks for an Army. There was about 15 people over the house last night, but enough food to feed 35. I told her I wanted nachos, but instead she makes: nachos, homemade burritos (with her famous refried beans), cheese and shredded beef enchiladas, and a whole taco bar. To top it off, she made me a German Chocolate Cake, which she's made every year for me since as long as I can remember. It's one of those things I'll never switch up on my birthday because it's become tradition.

After your yeast mixture sits for 10 minutes, you'll see bubbles forming on top

Anyway, enough rambling about all the Mexican food I consumed last night. I am now old enough where I feel the repercussions of eating too much cheese and beans. I'm also guilty of taking antacids all the time. Where did those days of eating whatever I wanted and bouncing back go?!

The dough before the first rise

My friends and family are completely supportive of everything I do, but they've been getting frustrated that I haven't been giving them any of my baked goods. I wasn't doing very much before my party, so I decided to bake this pull apart bread and bring it on over. Well, I failed. We ate pretty much the whole thing before it even got there. The good thing is that it's so delicious, that I'll make it again just for them.

There's a lot of different ways to do these pull apart breads. I tried layering it in a loaf pan and really love the way it turned out. You an make these savory but decreasing 1 tablespoon of sugar and layering it with cheese, garlic, bacon, chives, etc.

INGREDIENTS

DOUGH

• 2/3 cup warm whole milk (110 degrees F)
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, 1 tsp Kosher salt

FILLING

• 1 cup apples, diced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 3 tablespoon butter, melted

ICING

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoon whole milk

DIRECTIONS

1. To prepare the dough, combine yeast, milk, and sugar in your stand mixer bowel. Let sit for 10 minutes
2. Whisk in eggs and melted butter
3. Attach your dough hook to the standing mixer and add in half of the flour. Mix on low speed until combined. 
4. Add your salt and then remaining flour and continue mixing until the dough forms into a ball
5. cover with a towel and let it rest for 1 hour or until it doubles in size
6. Mix together apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl
7. Roll your dough into a large rectangle (16"x18") and brush the melted butter all over it
8. Pour your apple mixture all over the dough and using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 4 strips, each 4"x18" and stack them. Then cut that stack of strips into 6 small stacks. Place the stacks sideways into a greased loaf pan. Make sure you don't crowd the loaf pan because the bread will expand
9. Cover the loaf pan with a towel and allow rise for another 40-60 minutes
10. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 35-40 minutes. over the top of your loaf with foil after the first 20 minutes to ensure it doesn't brown too quickly
11. Once you remove the bread from the oven, allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and flip the bread over on a serving dish. I like to flip it because the bottom is usually gooey from all the brown sugar/butter
12. Make the icing by mixing together powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle it all over the top and serve right way!