Introduction

This Mouthwatering Apple Fritter Cake is a delightful treat that combines tender cake layers with a sweet cinnamon-apple filling and a luscious glaze. It’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime you crave a comforting slice of something special.

The image shows a baked dessert in a white rectangular dish with two handles, placed on a wooden surface. The dessert has multiple uneven layers of golden brown bread or cake pieces soaked in syrup and cinnamon, creating a textured top with darker brown swirls of cinnamon sugar throughout. A glossy white glaze or icing is drizzled unevenly across the entire surface, adding a shiny and sticky appearance. The dish is filled almost to the top, and the rich syrup makes the layers look moist and soft. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

For the apple mixture:

1/3 cup white sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp water
2 cups Granny Smith apples, diced (1/2-inch pieces)

For the cinnamon sugar layer:

1/2 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

For the cake batter:

1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat)

For the glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
1/3 cup milk (whole milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine diced Granny Smith apples, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cornstarch, and water. Heat over medium for 5–6 minutes until apples soften and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 2: Mix dark brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside for later.
Step 3: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan. Beat butter and granulated sugar in a mixer for about 3 minutes until light. Add applesauce, vanilla, and eggs, then mix until combined.
Step 4: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Alternately add this dry mix and Greek yogurt to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with dry. Stir gently by hand to combine without overmixing.
Step 5: Spread half the batter in the pan. Spoon cooled apple mixture over it evenly. Sprinkle two-thirds of the brown sugar cinnamon mix over the apples. Cover with remaining batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Step 6: Bake 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. If browning too fast, tent with foil for last 10 minutes. Let cake cool in the pan.
Step 7: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze until smooth. Poke holes across warm cake with a knife, then pour glaze evenly over the top. Let set for 20 minutes before slicing.

Tips & Variations

Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the moistest cake; sour cream can be substituted.
For extra flavor, replace half the milk in the glaze with apple cider.
Tent the cake with foil if it browns too quickly during baking to prevent burning.
Use King Arthur flour or another high-quality all-purpose flour for consistent results.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the glaze and refresh the cake.

How to Serve

A close-up of a single square piece of cinnamon apple cake resting on a white plate over a white marbled surface; the cake has three visible layers—the bottom layer is a moist, light brown sponge, the middle layer is filled with soft, diced apple pieces coated in cinnamon sugar, and the top layer features a glistening, slightly translucent white glaze drizzled unevenly over the cinnamon-apple topping. In the background, blurred objects and a red surface add depth to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, Granny Smith apples provide a tart contrast, but you can substitute with other firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Just note that sweeter apples may change the overall sweetness balance.

What if I don’t have Greek yogurt?

You can use full-fat sour cream as a substitute in equal amounts. It will maintain the cake’s moist texture and richness.

Mouthwatering Apple Fritter Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 82 reviews

This mouthwatering Apple Fritter Cake combines tender cake layers with a luscious cinnamon-sugar swirl and a soft cooked apple filling, all finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for dessert or a cozy afternoon treat, this recipe brings the classic flavors of apple fritters in a moist, spiced cake format.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Mixture

2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced (about 2 medium)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tsp water

Cinnamon Sugar Layer

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Cake Batter

1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract (pure vanilla preferred)
2 large eggs, room temperature
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 (full-fat recommended, or sour cream)

Glaze

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

Instructions

Cook the Apple Filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine peeled and diced Granny Smith apples, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, cornstarch, and water. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the apples soften and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
Make the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Swirl Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the packed dark brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside for later use.
Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick spray. Beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar in a stand mixer using a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add applesauce, vanilla extract, and eggs, mixing on medium speed until combined, scraping sides as needed.
Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine the Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and cinnamon. Alternately add the dry ingredients and Greek yogurt to the wet batter starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, then finish folding with a spatula to avoid overmixing.
Assemble the Cake: Spread half the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Spoon the cooled apple mixture over the batter and spread evenly. Sprinkle two-thirds of the brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the apples. Cover with the remaining batter, smoothing the top, then sprinkle with remaining brown sugar cinnamon mix.
Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Optionally, tent with foil during the last 10 minutes if browning too fast. Keep cake in pan after baking.
Prepare and Add the Glaze: While baking finishes, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. When the cake is warm, poke about 30 holes on the surface with a butter knife, then pour glaze evenly over the cake and spread to cover. Let set for about 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and butter for better batter emulsification and texture.
Full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream adds moisture and tenderness to the cake.
If the cake browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the final 10 minutes.
For extra flavor, substitute half of the milk in the glaze with apple cider.
Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added to keep the cake tender.

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