Get ready to fall in love with a dessert that combines the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon, sweet apple chunks, and a moist cake texture unlike any other – the Apple Fritter Cake. This irresistible Apple Fritter Cake recipe is bursting with spices and fresh apples, delivering every bite packed with deliciousness and perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings any time of the year.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich Flavor Explosion: The blend of cinnamon and fresh apple chunks creates a cozy, flavorful experience in every mouthful.
Moist and Tender Texture: Unlike many cakes, this one stays perfectly moist, making it a delight to eat even days after baking.
Simple Ingredients: It uses pantry staples and fresh apples, making it easy and convenient to whip up.
Versatile Dessert: This cake works wonderfully for breakfast, snack time, or as an elegant dessert after dinner.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a casual afternoon treat, this Apple Fritter Cake fits right in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Apple Fritter Cake recipe relies on straightforward ingredients that each play a vital role. The combination of fresh apples, warming spices, and a tender batter makes this cake truly shine.

Fresh Apples: Choose crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of tartness and sweetness.
Cinnamon: The key spice that brings a fragrant warmth perfectly paired with apples.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for a soft, tender crumb.
Sugar: Granulated and brown sugar together add sweetness and moistness with a subtle depth.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents ensure the cake rises beautifully and stays airy.
Butter and Oil: A blend that keeps the cake irresistibly moist without being greasy.
Eggs: Essential for binding and lending richness.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the apple and cinnamon notes with a sweet, fragrant finish.
Milk or Buttermilk: Adds moisture and helps dissolve flavors evenly throughout the batter.
Powdered Sugar Glaze (optional): A sweet finishing touch that perfectly complements the spiced cake.

Variations for Apple Fritter Cake

You can easily customize your Apple Fritter Cake to match your flavor preferences or dietary needs. Here are some fun ideas to mix it up while keeping the essence of this beloved cake.

Nutty Addition: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy contrast to the soft cake.
Gluten-Free Twist: Swap regular flour for a gluten-free blend to suit dietary restrictions without losing texture.
Spice Boost: Add ginger, nutmeg, or cloves to the cinnamon for a more complex spice profile.
Caramel Drizzle: Top the cake with homemade or store-bought caramel sauce for an extra indulgent flavor.
Vegan Version: Use flax eggs and plant-based milk to make a vegan-friendly Apple Fritter Cake.

Irresistible Apple Fritter Cake You Must Try

How to Make Apple Fritter Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and chop your apples into small chunks. Toss them in a bit of cinnamon and sugar, which helps them soften and infuse their flavor throughout the cake.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk thoroughly to make sure spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter, vegetable oil, and both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, which adds airiness and moisture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat eggs in one at a time with vanilla extract, ensuring full incorporation before adding the next, for a rich and smooth batter.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with your choice of milk or buttermilk, until the batter is just combined — overmixing can make the cake tough.

Step 6: Fold in the Apple Chunks

Gently fold in the spiced apple chunks, making sure they are evenly distributed but not overworked to avoid bruising the apples.

Step 7: Bake

Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined cake pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 8: Glaze and Cool

Once the cake cools slightly, drizzle it with a powdered sugar glaze made from powdered sugar and a bit of milk or lemon juice for a sweet, glossy finish.

Pro Tips for Making Apple Fritter Cake

Choose Fresh Apples: Fresh, firm apples ensure chunks won’t turn mushy during baking.
Don’t Overmix: Stir just until combined to keep the cake light and tender.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend smoothly and bake evenly.
Check Doneness Early: Start testing your cake at 45 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Add a Layer of Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a crunchy, sweet crust.

How to Serve Apple Fritter Cake

Garnishes

Top your Apple Fritter Cake with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of caramel or maple syrup, or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to elevate the presentation and flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair with vanilla ice cream, a scoop of creamy yogurt, or a fresh fruit salad for a balanced and satisfying dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve warm cake slices with a dusting of cinnamon and a few thin apple slices on top for a café-style finish, or cut into bite-sized squares and serve on skewers for a fun party snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Apple Fritter Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and moisture.

Freezing

Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Reheating

Reheat slices in a microwave for 15-30 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked softness and enhance the apple aroma.

FAQs

Can I use any type of apple for Apple Fritter Cake?

Yes, but it’s best to use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji to ensure the chunks hold their shape and provide a good balance of tartness and sweetness.

What if I don’t have buttermilk for the recipe?

You can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle, which mimics buttermilk’s acidity and texture.

Can I make Apple Fritter Cake dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine and use plant-based milk to easily create a dairy-free version without sacrificing taste.

How long does Apple Fritter Cake stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container, this cake stays moist and delicious for about 4-5 days in the fridge.

Is it possible to make this recipe into cupcakes?

Yes! Divide the batter into a lined cupcake pan and bake at 350°F for about 18-22 minutes, adjusting the time according to your oven and cupcake size.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like sharing a slice of warm, cinnamon-spiced Apple Fritter Cake with friends or family to create instant happiness. This recipe’s simplicity and rich flavors make it a go-to dessert that’s bound to become one of your favorites. So why wait? Grab some fresh apples and treat yourself to this cozy, mouthwatering cake today!

Apple Fritter Cake

Print Recipe

Apple Fritter Cake is a moist, tender cake bursting with fresh apple chunks and warm cinnamon spice. This versatile dessert uses simple pantry staples combined with crisp apples to create a rich, flavorful cake perfect for breakfast, snacks, or an elegant dessert any time of year.

Author: Lina
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2–3 fresh apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for tossing apples and optionally sprinkling on top)
2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup milk or buttermilk (or plant-based milk for vegan/dairy-free)

Optional Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk or lemon juice

Optional Variations

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (for nutty addition)
Additional spices: 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, nutmeg, or cloves
Caramel sauce for drizzling
Flax eggs and plant-based milk for vegan variation

Instructions

Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into small chunks. Toss them with about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of sugar to help soften and flavor them evenly throughout the cake.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon until fully combined.
Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy to incorporate air for moisture.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to develop a rich, smooth batter.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and milk (or buttermilk) to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
Fold in Apple Chunks: Gently fold the spiced apple pieces into the batter, distributing them evenly without bruising.
Bake: Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch cake pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Start checking at 45 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Glaze and Cool: Let the cake cool for about 15 minutes. Mix powdered sugar with milk or lemon juice to desired consistency and drizzle over the warm cake for a sweet, glossy finish.

Notes

Use fresh, firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Fuji for best texture and flavor.
Do not overmix the batter to maintain a light and tender crumb.
Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for smooth mixing and even baking.
Check cake doneness starting at 45 minutes to prevent drying out.
For a crunchy top, sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the batter before baking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 28 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 44 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: Apple Fritter Cake, Apple Cake, Cinnamon Cake, Moist Apple Cake, Easy Dessert, Fall Dessert, Gluten-Free Dessert, Spiced Cake