Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Stop everything—your future favorite loaf is about to steal the show!

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Hello, darling dough enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a buttery, tangy, apple-studded sourdough swirl that’ll have your kitchen smelling like grandma’s secret bakery—if grandma were a sassy foodie rock star.

This recipe marries the rustic charm of a sourdough loaf with the cozy sweetness of cinnamon-kissed apples and brown sugar, all wrapped up in a luxurious butter bath. If you think sourdough is intimidating, hold onto your oven mitts: I’m going to break it down so simply even your pet cactus could follow along (no offense, Spike).

Whether you’re a seasoned sourdough slayer or a rookie kneader, this apple-butter swirl loaf is your next weekend project. It’s perfect for breakfast toast, afternoon tea, or sneaking slices at midnight when everyone’s asleep. Let’s get that flour dust flying and those taste buds tingling!

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Ingredients

4 cups (500 g) bread flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast
100 g active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
2 cups (480 ml) lukewarm water (around 80°F/27°C)
10 tablespoons (140 g) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 2 cups)
1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, divided
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prep Your Play Area
  Lightly grease a large mixing bowl and a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter. Set aside a bit of olive oil for your hands.
2. Mix the Dough
  In a big bowl, whisk together the bread flour, salt, and instant yeast. In a separate jug, combine the sourdough starter with lukewarm water until it’s a smooth, milky swirl. Pour the wet into the dry and stir with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Autolyse & Butter Bath
  Let your shaggy dough rest, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Then, add your 10 tablespoons of softened butter in chunks. Pinch, fold, and smush until the butter is fully incorporated. This is therapeutic—think of it as doughy stress relief.
4. Bulk Fermentation with Folds
  Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the dough, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise at room temperature for 2–3 hours. Every 30 minutes, perform a series of stretch-and-folds: lift one side of the dough, stretch it up, then fold it over. Rotate the bowl and repeat 4 times. This builds gluten strength for a lofty loaf.
5. Prepare the Apple Swirl
  While your dough is puffing, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped apples, ½ cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Sauté until apples are just tender and glossy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat to cool completely.
6. Shape and Swirl
  On a lightly floured surface, gently deflate the dough and roll it into a rectangle roughly 12×16 inches. Spread the cooled apple mixture all over the dough. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon evenly. Starting at the long edge, roll the dough into a log, pinch the seam shut, and tuck the ends under.
7. Second Rise in the Pan
  Place the loaf, seam-side down, into your greased loaf pan. Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap and let proof for 1–1.5 hours, or until puffy and nearly doubled.
8. Bake Your Masterpiece
  Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 45–50 minutes, rotating halfway, until the crust is golden-brown and the internal temperature reads 200°F (93°C). If the top browns too fast, tent with foil after 30 minutes.
9. Cool & Slice
  Let the loaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack. Allow at least 30 minutes before slicing so the crumb sets and your knife doesn’t turn it into a gooey disaster.

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Calorie Count (Per Slice, 12 Slices Total)

Each generous slice clocks in at approximately:

Calories: 310
Fat: 13 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Protein: 6 g

Dive into one slice and feel zero guilt—this is artisan-level comfort!

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Nutritional Facts

Nutrient	Per Slice
Calories	310 kcal
Total Fat	13 g
Saturated Fat	7 g
Cholesterol	25 mg
Sodium	320 mg
Total Carbohydrate	42 g
Dietary Fiber	3 g
Sugars	12 g
Protein	6 g

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Cooking Tips

Starter Strength: Make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly. Feed it 4–6 hours before mixing if needed.
Water Temperature: Lukewarm water helps yeast wake up without killing it—think cozy bath, not scalding-hot spa.
Butter Consistency: Softened butter blends easier. If it’s too cold, you’ll struggle; too melted, you’ll turn your dough into soup.
Fold Technique: Don’t rush the stretch-and-fold. It’s the secret handshake your dough uses to build structure.
Apple Filling: Pat apples dry before sautéing to avoid a soggy swirl. Use a hot pan to sear edges for caramelized bits.
Pan Choice: A snug loaf pan supports the swirl. If you love extra crust, bake free-form on a parchment-lined sheet instead.
Baking High: If your oven runs cool, invest in an oven thermometer for true temperature confidence

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Recipe Variations

Pear & Cardamom: Swap apples for sliced pears and cinnamon for a teaspoon of ground cardamom.
Chocolate Swirl: Replace apple-cinnamon filling with chopped dark chocolate and a pinch of espresso powder.
Savory Twist: Omit sugar; layer in caramelized onions, grated Gruyère, and fresh thyme.
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the apple layer before rolling for extra texture.
Vegan Version: Use coconut oil or vegan butter, skip the sourdough starter (replace with extra yeast), and swap brown sugar with coconut sugar.

Apple Cinnamon Focaccia

Darling, you just created the kind of loaf that Instagram dreams are made of—complete with that dramatic swirl, pillowy crumb, and butter-dripping crust. Remember, baking is as much an art as a science; embrace imperfections because they make each loaf uniquely yours. And if life feels a little too sour, a slice of this sweet-tart swirl bread is guaranteed to perk you right up.

Feel the pride swelling in your chest? That’s your inner baker doing a victory dance. Share a slice with a friend, gift it to your favorite neighbor, or—if you’re feeling rebellious—devour it all before anyone else notices. I won’t tell.

So there you have it: a cute, sassy, apple-butter swirl sourdough loaf that’s both rustic and over-the-top decadent. Next time you’re craving an excuse to bake, skip the store-bought and dive into this alchemy of flour, butter, apples, and starter. Trust me, your taste buds deserve a standing ovation. Now grab that mixing bowl, crank up your favorite playlist, and let’s bake something unforgettable. Tag us on Instagram or leave us a comment below! We love hearing from you!
Stay floury, fabulous, and forever hungry!
xoxo,
Your Sassy Sourdough Sidekick