Apple Fritter Cake
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)
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
- 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