Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of apples, cinnamon, and a sweet glaze offers a taste reminiscent of classic apple fritters.
- Moist and Tender Texture: Incorporating sour cream into the batter ensures a moist and rich crumb.
- No Frying Required: Enjoy the beloved taste of apple fritters without the hassle and mess of frying.
- Perfect for Sharing: This recipe yields 12 servings, making it ideal for gatherings, family desserts, or a special treat with your morning coffee.
Ingredients
Cake
- Baking spray with flour
- 1 3/4 cups (about 1 or 2 apples) Golden Delicious or Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (174 grams) granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup apple cider, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/3 cup (71 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- 3/4 cup (160 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Glaze
- 1 1/4 cups (284 grams) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Directions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with baking spray.
- Prepare the Apples: In a medium bowl, stir together the apple pieces, ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the apple cider, melted butter, light brown sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, eggs, and the remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar until well combined. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt; whisk until nearly combined. Fold in the apple mixture. Reserve 1/2 cup of the batter. Spread the remaining batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Add the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl: In a medium bowl, stir together the light brown sugar, melted butter, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Dollop this mixture over the batter in the pan. Also dollop the reserved 1/2 cup of batter over the cinnamon sugar. Using a butter knife, gently swirl the mixtures together, making side-to-side and up-and-down motions. Then, use a gentle folding motion to bring some of the batter from the bottom up to the top. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
- Bake: Bake until a wooden pick inserted into a cakey portion in the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack until mostly cool, 1 to 2 hours.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a medium bowl, stir together the confectioners’ sugar, sour cream, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of water until smooth.
- Glaze the Cake: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake. Let it stand until the glaze is set, about 10 minutes.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 40 minutes
- Cooling Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Total Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
Variations
- Apple Choices: While Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apples are recommended, feel free to use other apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a different flavor profile.
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the batter for added crunch and flavor.
- Spice It Up: Incorporate spices like nutmeg or cardamom into the batter or glaze for a unique twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, slice a piece and microwave it for 15-20 seconds or warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute other apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a different flavor and texture.
2. Can I make the cake in advance?
Yes, you can make the cake a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
3. How long will the apple fritter cake stay fresh?
The cake will stay fresh for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
4. Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, you can freeze the cake for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
5. Can I make this cake without the glaze?
Yes, you can skip the glaze for a less sweet cake, or you can substitute it with a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
6. What type of apples work best in this recipe?
Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apples work best, but feel free to experiment with other varieties like Honeycrisp for sweetness or Fuji for a firmer texture.
7. Can I make the cake without sour cream?
Yes, you can substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt or buttermilk if needed.
8. Is it necessary to swirl the cinnamon sugar into the cake batter?
The swirl adds flavor and texture, but if you prefer a more uniform flavor, you can mix the cinnamon sugar into the batter directly.
9. Can I use a different type of glaze?
Yes, you can replace the glaze with a simple powdered sugar and milk mixture for a lighter finish.
10. How can I make the glaze thicker?
If you prefer a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar or reduce the amount of water used.
Conclusion
This Apple Fritter Cake is the perfect blend of classic apple fritters and cake, with a delicious cinnamon-sugar swirl and a sweet glaze that will have everyone coming back for more. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, it brings together the flavors of fall in every bite. Whether for a family dessert, holiday gathering, or a weekend treat, this cake is sure to impress!
Apple Fritter Cake
Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of a classic apple fritter in an easy-to-make cake! This Apple Fritter Cake is packed with tender apples, a cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a sweet glaze, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion. With no frying required, it’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy the taste of your favorite bakery treat at home.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cake:
- Baking spray with flour
- 1 ¾ cups (about 1–2 apples) Golden Delicious or Granny Smith apples, diced (¼-inch pieces)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons (174g) granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup apple cider (room temperature)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
- ⅓ cup (71g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream (room temperature)
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl:
- ¾ cup (160g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Glaze:
- 1 ¼ cups (284g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prep:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan with baking spray.
2️⃣ Prepare Apples:
In a medium bowl, mix diced apples with ground cinnamon and ¼ cup of granulated sugar.
3️⃣ Make the Batter:
In a large bowl, whisk together apple cider, melted butter, brown sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, eggs, and remaining granulated sugar. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; mix until nearly combined. Fold in the apple mixture. Reserve ½ cup of batter. Pour the rest into the prepared pan.
4️⃣ Cinnamon Sugar Swirl:
Mix brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Dollop over the batter along with the reserved ½ cup of batter. Swirl gently with a butter knife. Sprinkle the top with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
5️⃣ Bake:
Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake (avoiding the cinnamon swirl) comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 1–2 hours.
6️⃣ Make the Glaze:
In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, sour cream, melted butter, and water until smooth.
7️⃣ Glaze the Cake:
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake. Let it set for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Apple Varieties: Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are best, but Honeycrisp or Fuji also work.
- Storage: Keep at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
