Introduction

This Apple Fritter Cake brings the cozy flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples and a soft, moist crumb together in one delightful dessert. Perfect for autumn or any time you crave a comforting treat, it’s easy to make and sure to impress.

This dessert is shown in a white ceramic rectangular baking dish. The top layer is golden brown with soft swirls of cinnamon sugar creating a textured, slightly crispy surface. Over this layer are generous drizzles of white glaze that shine and add a sticky, sweet finish. The dish shows about three to four thick layers of soft, doughy bread soaked in cinnamon and sugar, rising close to the edge of the dish. In the background, there is a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (about 2 medium)
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tsp water
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the diced apples, white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cornstarch, and water. Toss well to coat the apples evenly. Set aside to allow the mixture to thicken.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the applesauce, vanilla extract, and eggs until well combined.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 5: Fold in the Greek yogurt or sour cream, then gently fold in the apple mixture, making sure the apples are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: While the cake cools, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 8: Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Let it set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
For a nutty crunch, add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
Substitute plain yogurt if Greek yogurt or sour cream isn’t available; the texture will still be moist.
Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the glaze for an extra indulgent touch.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds to enjoy a warm treat, or serve chilled.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up view of a baked cinnamon pull-apart bread in a large white ceramic baking dish. The bread has many uneven layers with a golden-brown color covered in a thick layer of cinnamon sugar, giving it a textured, rough surface. On top, there is a shiny, smooth white glaze drizzled over the bread, creating a contrast of glossy and grainy textures. The baking dish sits on a wooden surface next to a cloth with grey and white stripes, while the background is replaced by a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this cake?

Yes, you can use other firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji, but keep in mind that sweeter apples may make the cake sweeter and less tart.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup, but be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binding agent to maintain texture.

Apple Fritter Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 88 reviews

A moist and flavorful Apple Fritter Cake inspired by the classic apple fritter donut, featuring tender cinnamon-spiced apples baked into a soft cake with a sweet vanilla glaze.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Filling

2 cups granny smith apples, peeled and diced (about 2 medium)
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tsp water

Cake Batter

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup greek yogurt or sour cream

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Apple Filling: In a small saucepan, combine diced granny smith apples, 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the apples soften. Set aside to cool completely.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: To the creamed butter mixture, add the applesauce, vanilla extract, and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Yogurt: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternating with the greek yogurt (or sour cream), beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; do not overmix.
Fold in Apple Filling: Gently fold the cooled apple filling into the batter, distributing the apples evenly without breaking them down too much.
Bake the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Prepare the Glaze: While the cake bakes, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is out of the oven and slightly cooled but still warm, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use granny smith apples for a tart balance to the sweetness of the cake.
Ensure the apple filling is completely cooled before folding into the batter to prevent it from melting the batter too much.
Greek yogurt or sour cream adds moisture and tenderness to the cake.
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea.

Keywords: apple fritter cake, apple cake, cinnamon cake, fall dessert, glazed cake, apple dessert