1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread tough.
5. Gently fold in the diced apples and walnuts (if using) into the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bread should be golden brown and fragrant.
8. While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar with maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth.
9. Once the bread has cooled slightly, drizzle the maple glaze over the top. Let it set for a few minutes before slicing.

Baking is as much about intuition as it is about following directions, a lesson I learned from my mother. Trust your senses; if it smells heavenly and looks golden, it’s probably just right.