Apple Spice Swirl Loaf (Gluten Free Option)

Maybe you’re looking for a fall bake that has all the cozy warmth of a cinnamon roll but in a sliceable, shareable, absolutely gorgeous apple filled loaf? Well then, you’re in the right place! My Apple Spice Swirl Loaf is one of those recipes that makes the whole kitchen smell like autumn while it bakes up in your oven. The beautiful swirl of crushed apple filling running through every single slice, the light apple pie spice glaze drizzled over the top, and that first pull-apart bite? Scrumptious doesn’t even cover it.

The dough here is the same mashed potato dough that I built my Pumpkin Spice Sweet Rolls and Gluten Free Dinner Rolls on, and it comes straight from my late mother-in-law Patsy’s legacy. Her secret was day-old mashed potatoes worked into the dough, and that humble little trick gives you the most impossibly soft, fluffy, tender crumb you have ever had in a yeasted loaf. Don’t skip the mashed potatoes, they’re the whole secret. The dough also gets a touch of Primal Palate Apple Pie Spice worked right in, so even before you add the filling, the whole loaf is warmly spiced from the inside out.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Spice Swirl Loaf

It looks like you spent your entire morning baking something spectacular, but the process is actually very straightforward. The filling comes together in minutes: softened butter, brown sugar, more apple pie spice, and the star of the show, Bare Snacks organic dried apple chips that get crushed or pulverized into a fine crumble. That crushed apple texture blends into the filling in the most beautiful way and caramelizes as it bakes into something truly special. And then that glaze on top! Just powdered sugar, a splash of Maizly corn milk, and a pinch of apple pie spice whisked into a drizzle-able glaze that sets glossy and gorgeous. Everyone sitting around your table won’t be able to resist a slice, and when isn’t that the best problem to have?!

Swirling Tip:

Roll the dough into a 10×7 inch rectangle, spread the softened butter evenly, then scatter the brown sugar, crushed apple chips, and apple pie spice on top. Roll up tightly from one short side into a log. Here is where the magic happens: cut the log in half lengthwise, pinch the tops of the two halves together, then twist one side over the other all the way down. Tuck and pinch the ends, lift carefully into the parchment-lined 9″ x 5″ loaf pan, and let rise 20 to 25 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick look at what goes into this apple spice swirl loaf. Full amounts are in the recipe card below.

For the Apple Swirl Sweet Roll Dough

The liquid base is Maizly corn milk (can sub milk of choice) warmed to 110°F degrees, which blooms the quick rise yeast beautifully and adds that subtle sweetness I love. Granulated white sugar, room temperature unsalted butter, am.Niccoli vanilla baking salt, one room temperature egg, and half a cup of day-old mashed potatoes round out the wet team. Then Lehi Mills unbleached bread flour and Primal Palate Apple Pie Spice go in gradually until you have a soft, supple dough. For the gluten free option, use Caputo gluten free flour at a straight 1:1 swap and it works beautifully.

For the Apple Filling

Softened butter spread generously over the rolled dough, then a mixture of brown sugar, apple pie spice, granulated white sugar, and the crushed Bare Snacks dried apple chips scattered evenly on top. That’s it! The key is pulverizing or crushing the dried apple chips so they become a fine crumble rather than chunky pieces. They melt into the filling as the loaf bakes and create the most gorgeous caramelized apple swirl all the way through.

For the Apple Pie Spice Glaze

Powdered sugar, Maizly corn milk, and a pinch of Apple Pie Spice whisked together until smooth and drizzle-able. Start with less milk and add more a little at a time until it’s the consistency you want. Thicker glaze for more of a frosting effect, thinner for those gorgeous drips you see in the photo. No wrong answer here, just make it like you like it!

Tips for the Best Apple Spice Swirl Loaf

Use day-old mashed potatoes. This is an important tip and one and can’t be skipped. The potatoes add moisture and a tenderness to the dough that you simply cannot get any other way. Make sure they’re day-old, as this allows the starch to become more digestible and also makes the dough incredibly tender. Having the mashed potatoes at room temperature is also a must!

Crush the dried apple chips finely. You want a crumble, not chunks. A food processor works great here or just put the apples in a zip-top bag and roll over them with a rolling pin. That fine texture is what creates such a beautiful even swirl throughout the loaf rather than big pockets of apple.

Roll the dough tightly. A tight roll gives you those gorgeous defined swirl layers in every slice. Take your time here and roll from one long edge all the way to the other. Pinch the seam closed and place it seam-side down so it stays put during the rise and bake.

Check for doneness at 55 minutes. Ovens vary and this loaf is thick, so start checking at 55 minutes with a toothpick. If it comes out with wet dough, give it another 5 minutes and check again. You’re looking for deep golden color on top and a toothpick that comes out clean or with just a few dry crumbs.

Gluten Free Apple Spice Swirl Loaf

Swap the Lehi Mills bread flour for Caputo gluten free flour at a 1:1 ratio and this loaf comes out wonderfully tender and delicious. Use a blend-style GF flour rather than a single-ingredient flour for best results.

How to Store

This apple spice swirl loaf keeps beautifully wrapped tightly at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. The mashed potato dough actually helps it stay soft and moist longer than a typical yeasted bread. For longer storage, wrap individual slices and freeze for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature and warm briefly in a 325 degree oven before serving. On the back porch if the fall weather is cooperating, obviously!

More Fall Baking You’ll Love

• Pumpkin Spice Sweet Rolls – same incredible mashed potato dough
• Cran-Apple Snack Cake
• Pumpkin Hazelnut Sweet Rolls
• Apple Cider Pie Filling – gorgeous spooned warm over a slice of this loaf
• Browse all Holiday + Seasonal recipes

If you make this Apple Spice Swirl Loaf I’d absolutely love to see it! Tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below. It’s one of those fall recipes that looks like you really went all out, and we’re already fast friends so I’ll let you in on the secret: it’s way easier than it looks! 🍎