Get ready to fall in love with this Apple Fritter Cake! With a tender crumb, a swirl of rich cinnamon sugar, and a drizzle of creamy vanilla glaze, this cake is pure comfort. It’s perfect for cozy mornings or as a show-stopping dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting this Apple Fritter Cake to taste so much like an actual apple fritter, but the flavor and texture exceeding my expectations, and I couldn’t be happier.
I LOVE apple fritters, but I’ve never wanted to try making them at home, because making fried food creates such a mess in my kitchen. This cake solves that problem!
This decadent apple cake will absolutely satisfy your apple fritter cravings. And it’s baked, which makes it a healthier choice. Unless you top it with ice cream or whipped cream, which I highly recommend.
I told my husband that we really ought to share this cake with someone, so the two of us didn’t end up eating it all. Well…..the two of us ate every last bite. That’s how good this cake was!
My personal preference in this recipe is to use Granny Smith apples. Their tartness helps balance out the overall sweetness of this cake. But almost any kind of apple would work well.
And yes, you do have to peel the apples. I mean, I can’t make you, but if you don’t, your cake will just be weird. And nobody likes weird cake. This also qualifies as a healthy breakfast at my house–because of the apples.
I will definitely be making this Amazing Apple Fritter Cake again. And again. And again. Whether we enjoy it for breakfast or dessert, it’s definitely our new favorite fall treat.
Ingredients
- Flour – all-purpose is great, but use can also use cake flour if you prefer
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Sugar – granulated white sugar
- Buttermilk
- Eggs
- Vanilla – the real stuff, not imitation
- Butter
- Apples – I prefer Granny Smith in this recipe
- Brown sugar – I use light brown
- Ground cinnamon
- Powdered sugar – also knows as confectioner’s sugar
- Milk
Recipe Tips
- Making the topping before you start on the batter ensures it’s ready to go when you need it. Keep the topping at room temperature so it’s easy to spread over the apples.
- Sifting your flour into the mixing bowl will give your cake and even more light and airy texture.
- Start checking the cake for doneness at the 40-minute mark. The cake is done when it’s golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake, as this can make the cake dry.
- If your cake is getting too brown before the baking time is up, just cover the top with a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before drizzling the glaze. If the cake is too warm, the glaze may soak into the cake instead of creating a nice, sweet layer on top.
How to Make Apple Fritter Cake
Step 1
Preheat the Oven: Start by cranking up your oven to 350°F (175°C for our metric folks). While it’s warming up, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and butter it up with 1 tablespoon of your melted butter.
Step 2
Whip Up the Topping: Time to get that topping ready. In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of super-soft butter, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Set it aside at room temperature, ready to be unleashed.
Step 3
Dry Ingredients First: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 3/4 cups of sugar. This is the foundation of your cake, so make sure it’s mixed well. No lumps allowed here!
Step 4
Wet Ingredients Next: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of buttermilk, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and the rest of that melted butter. This mix is where the richness and flavor really start to shine. Pour this into your dry ingredients and stir until everything is smooth and lump-free.
Step 5
Apple Time: Spread that smooth, dreamy batter into your prepared pan. Now, grab your diced apples—3 to 4 cups of them—and scatter them evenly over the top. This is the fruity goodness that makes this cake sing.
Step 6
Add the Topping: Remember that topping we made earlier? It’s showtime. Dollop it over the apples and spread it out as evenly as you can. Don’t stress about making it perfect; rustic is the name of the game here. Take a knife and swirl it through the batter and topping to create a marbled effect. It’s like swirling in extra deliciousness.
Step 7
Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the cake is firm and golden brown. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Remove the cake from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Step 8
Glaze the Cake: Whisk together the powdered sugar and vanilla. Then add the milk gradually until the glaze is a consistency you like. When the cake is cool, spoon or drizzle the glaze over the cake.
FAQs
What is an apple fritter?An apple fritter is a type of yeasted donut filled with cooked and sweetened cinnamon apples and fried.
What kind of apples should I use in this recipe?I recommend Granny Smith apples, but any firm and crunchy variety will work. Stay away from softer apples, like Red and Golden Delicious
Can I use a different type of flour?You can substitute all-purpose flour with cake flour for a lighter texture, but avoid using whole wheat flour, as it may result in a denser cake.
Do I need to peel the apples?Yes, it’s best to peel the apples for this recipe. The peels can become tough and chewy when baked, so peeling ensures a smooth, tender texture in the cake.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate the cake, but allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
More Apple Cake Recipes to Try
- Toffee Caramel Apple Bundt Cake
- Sticky Apple Pudding Cake with Caramel Sauce
- Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
Apple Fritter Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup butter melted, divided
- 3-4 cups apples peeled and diced
For the topping
- 1 cup butter very soft
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the glaze
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Use 1 tablespoon of the melted butter to butter a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Make the topping so it is ready. Mix the very soft 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Set aside at room temperature.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 3/4 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 cups sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and remaining melted butter.
- Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until no lumps remain. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange the diced apples evenly over the batter.
- Dollop the butter and brown sugar topping mixture over the apples and spread carefully to cover the apples as much as possible. Swirl a knife through the batter and topping to blend them together a bit.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until firm and golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the3 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla for the glaze. Add 3-4 tablespoons milk gradually until glaze reaches desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.
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