Mouthwatering Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
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.
- 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
