Name: Apple Fritter Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp); 1 cup brown sugar (for the swirl); 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder; 2/3 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup milk; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze); 2 to 3 tablespoons milk (for glaze); 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Apple Fritter Cake is the dessert you bake when you want your kitchen to smell like a cozy bakery in autumn. This cake takes the classic cinnamon-sugar apple fritter and transforms it into a luscious, oven-baked dish that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. With a rich brown sugar swirl and a drizzle of vanilla glaze, every bite is soft, tender, and filled with the warmth of fall spices.

Unlike traditional fritters that require deep frying, this cake is baked in a single dish, making it easier and less messy while still delivering that signature spiced apple flavor and gooey texture. Whether you’re hosting guests or just want something sweet with your morning coffee, this cake is a winner every time.

What Kind of Apples Work Best in Apple Fritter Cake?

Firm apples that hold their shape during baking are ideal—think Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Their crisp texture offers the perfect contrast to the soft crumb of the cake. Granny Smith adds a tart punch that balances the sweetness of the glaze and brown sugar, while Honeycrisp brings a juicy, sweet bite.

You can also mix apple types to add complexity. Just avoid soft apples like Red Delicious as they tend to turn mushy when baked.

Ingredients for the Apple Fritter Cake

Apples: The star of the show, adding natural sweetness and moisture. Dice them small so they melt into the cake with each bite.
Brown Sugar: Key for that sticky, caramel-like swirl that mimics the flavor of fried fritters.
Cinnamon: This warm spice brings the classic fritter flavor to life.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Flour: The base of the cake, giving it structure while keeping it soft.
Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise to a fluffy, tender crumb.
Sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough without overpowering the apple flavor.
Milk: Loosens the batter and keeps the cake light.
Eggs: Bind the batter and provide structure.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall flavor.
Powdered Sugar & Milk: Used for the glaze on top, creating that signature drizzle finish.

How To Make the Apple Fritter Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling

Peel, core, and dice your apples into small bite-sized chunks. In a skillet over medium heat, melt a bit of butter and cook the apples with brown sugar and cinnamon until they soften slightly and release their juices. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with milk, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.

Step 3: Layer the Cake

Pour half of the cake batter into a greased baking dish. Spoon half of the apple mixture over the batter, followed by half of the cinnamon brown sugar swirl. Use a knife to gently swirl the layers together. Repeat with the remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon mixture. Swirl again lightly on top.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown on top with bubbling, caramelized edges.

Step 5: Glaze While Warm

While the cake is still warm, whisk together powdered sugar with a splash of milk and a drop of vanilla extract to make a pourable glaze. Drizzle generously over the top, letting it sink into the warm cake and form a luscious icing layer. Allow to set slightly before serving.

How to Serve and Store Apple Fritter Cake

This cake is best served warm, fresh from the oven when the glaze is still slightly melted and the cinnamon sugar layer is gooey. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of hot coffee for the ultimate treat.

If you’re preparing ahead, you can reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to bring back that just-baked magic. For a crispier edge, a quick warm-up in a toaster oven works wonders too.

To store, cover the cake tightly and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom?

Tossing the apple chunks in a tablespoon of flour before layering helps suspend them evenly throughout the batter.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake it the day before and store it covered. Reheat in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes to refresh before serving.

What size baking dish should I use?

An 8×8 or 9×9-inch square baking dish works best, but a similarly sized round or rectangular dish can also be used.

Can I use a boxed cake mix instead?

If you’re short on time, you can use a yellow or vanilla boxed cake mix and just focus on making the apple and cinnamon swirl layers from scratch.

Is this cake freezer-friendly?

Yes! Once cooled, slice and wrap each piece individually. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen in the microwave.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely. Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to increase the bake time by 5-10 minutes.

Want More Cake Ideas with a Twist?

If you love this warm and gooey Apple Fritter Cake, here are some other dessert recipes you’ll want to try next:

Triple Chocolate Banana Bread if you crave rich chocolate layers in every bite.
Cinna Bun Cake for the ultimate cinnamon sugar swirls.
Cheesecake Stuffed Caramel Apple Cookies when you want apples and cheesecake in one dreamy bite.
Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding for a creamy, fruity indulgence.
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes if you’re looking for portable, party-ready treats.

📌 Save this Apple Fritter Cake recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you always have it at your fingertips.

And when you try it out, tell me how it turned out in the comments! Did you use Granny Smith or go sweet with Honeycrisp? Did you sneak in a caramel drizzle?

I love seeing your twists and hearing your baking tips. Let’s inspire each other—and if you’re hunting for more treats, check out my daily recipes on Pinterest at Life with Nina.

Apple Fritter Cake

Author: Nina Johnson
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 9 servings 1x
Category: Cakes & Bakes
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Apple Fritter Cake is a baked twist on the classic fried apple fritter—sweet, cinnamon-spiced, and drizzled with vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this tender cake is bursting with chunks of apples, brown sugar swirls, and cozy fall flavor.

Instructions

1. Peel, core, and dice the apples. In a skillet over medium heat, cook them with brown sugar and cinnamon for 5–7 minutes until softened. Let cool.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking powder. Alternate adding dry mix and milk to the wet mixture.

4. Pour half the batter into a greased 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking dish. Add half of the apple mixture and half of the cinnamon-brown sugar swirl. Lightly swirl with a knife. Repeat with the remaining layers and swirl again.

5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. While warm, mix glaze ingredients and drizzle on top. Let set before serving.