Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with a nonstick spray. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and the peeled and diced apples together. Set aside.
⅔ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 apples
In another bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, beat the granulated sugar and butter until smooth and creamy. Add in the egg and applesauce; mix until combined. Mix in the vanilla. Set aside.
½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 large egg, ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Begin to mix the two and gradually add milk; continue mixing until smooth.
1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1¾ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ cup milk
Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the remaining brown sugar and half of the remaining cinnamon over the top. Layer half of the cinnamon apples on top. Pour the remaining batter over the apple layer. Sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon apples, the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon. Top with coffee cake crumble topping (see below) if using.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove from pan and cool on a rack.