Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease your loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray and set aside to prepare for baking.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. This creates a flavorful, airy base.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and eggs until the mixture is smooth, slightly fluffy, and fragrant—about 2 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract and milk to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. This keeps the batter moist and flavorful.
Gently fold the chopped apples into the wet mixture, distributing evenly so each slice will have tender apple pieces inside.
Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding carefully with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar on top for a sweet, crackly crust.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil and continue baking. This prevents burning while the center finishes baking.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps set the crumb and prevents sogginess.
Slice once cooled, revealing moist, tender crumb speckled with apple pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a pat of butter for extra comfort.
