Why You’ll Love Irresistible Apple Fritter Cake Recipe

It’s simple and inviting — the batter mixes up easily and the aroma fills your kitchen with cozy, nostalgic warmth.
The combination of tart yet sweet apples with rich cinnamon and buttery cake texture is unforgettable.
It’s flexible — enjoy it warm or at room temperature, for breakfast with coffee or for dessert with ice cream.
With minimal fuss, you’ll get a beautiful, golden‑top cake that looks impressive but is totally doable.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

all‑purpose flour
baking powder
ground cinnamon
granulated sugar
large eggs
milk
unsalted butter (melted)
diced apples (firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a bundt pan or a square baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sugar.
In another bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
Fold in the diced apples gently until just combined—don’t overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for about 45‑50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Servings and timing

Serves: about 10 slices
Total time: approximately 1 hour 5 minutes (about 15 minutes prep + 50 minutes bake)

Variations

Add chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for a crunchy texture.
Stir in raisins or dried cranberries to add chew and extra sweetness.
Replace some or all of the apples with pears for a twist.
Increase or reduce the ground cinnamon (or add a pinch of nutmeg) to adjust the spice level.
After baking, drizzle a light vanilla or cream cheese icing for added richness.

Storage/Reheating

Store cooled cake slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To reheat, microwave a slice for about 10‑15 seconds to bring back that fresh‑baked warmth. For longer storage you can refrigerate up to a week or freeze individual slices, then thaw and reheat before serving.

FAQs

What is Apple Fritter Cake?

Apple Fritter Cake is a dessert that reimagines the flavor and texture of an apple fritter (fried dough with apple and cinnamon) into a baked cake. It features diced apples, warm cinnamon, and a moist cake base, giving you that nostalgic flavor in a simpler, baked form.

How do you store Apple Fritter Cake?

Allow the cake to cool completely, then wrap airtight or place in a sealed container. You can keep it at room temperature for up to three days. If you refrigerate it, it will last up to a week. For freezing, wrap individual slices and thaw when needed.

Can I make Apple Fritter Cake gluten‑free?

Yes — you can substitute the all‑purpose flour with a gluten‑free flour blend (make sure it contains a binder like xanthan gum if needed). The texture and flavor should still be very satisfying.

What types of apples work best?

Firm, crisp apples that hold their shape during baking are best. Varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal because they won’t dissolve into mush and will give good texture.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can, but you may want to reduce any added salt in the recipe slightly to compensate for the salted butter. The unsalted butter allows more control over the seasoning.

What size pan should I use?

A bundt pan or a square baking dish of similar capacity works fine. The key is that the batter spreads evenly and the cake bakes through without being overly thick or too shallow.

How do I know when it’s done baking?

Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center. If it comes out clean (no wet batter), the cake is done. The top should be golden brown and the cake should begin to pull slightly away from the sides of the pan.

Can I serve this for breakfast?

Absolutely. Because it’s reminiscent of a fritter and has apple and cinnamon, it fits very nicely as a breakfast or brunch treat—serve it warm with coffee or tea.

What if I want to make it ahead of time?

You can bake the cake a day ahead and store it properly (covered) at room temperature or in the fridge. Reheat lightly before serving to regain that just‑baked warmth.

Could I add a glaze or topping?

Yes — a simple powdered sugar glaze or a cream‑cheese–based icing pairs beautifully. You could also sprinkle chopped nuts, drizzle caramel, or add a dusting of cinnamon sugar just before serving.

Conclusion

This Apple Fritter Cake delivers the cozy, nostalgic appeal of apple fritters in a practical baked form. With warm cinnamon spice, juicy apple chunks, and buttery cake texture, it’s a wonderful choice for breakfasts, brunches or dessert. Easy to make and satisfying to share, it’s sure to become a welcome favorite. Enjoy every slice!

Irresistible Apple Fritter Cake

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This irresistible Apple Fritter Cake brings together the warm flavors of spiced apples and cinnamon-swirl cake, topped with a sweet glaze. Perfect for cozy mornings or a comforting dessert.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings)
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon; set aside for the swirl.
In a saucepan, combine apples, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until apples are tender. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and 2/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with 1/2 cup milk. Mix until just combined.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Layer with half of the apple mixture and half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat layers.
Use a knife to gently swirl the batter for a marbled effect.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with 1–2 tbsp milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor contrast.
Ensure apples are fully cooled before layering into the batter.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 280
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 50mg