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A slice of moist Apple Fritter Cake topped with sweet glaze and crumb topping on a wooden plate with a fork.

Cinnamon Apple Fritter Cake

This decadent Cinnamon Apple Fritter Cake combines a moist, tender cake batter with chunks of cinnamon-spiced apples and a rich brown sugar swirl, all finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. It's like your favorite apple fritter in a comforting cake form.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Cinnamon Apple Filling
  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
For the Cake Batter
  • 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup milk whole milk recommended
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Vanilla Glaze
  • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber Spatula
  • Apple peeler
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Wire cooling rack

Method
 

Prepare the Apples & Oven
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper and spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and lemon juice. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
Make the Cinnamon Swirl
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, and 1/4 cup melted butter until a thick, crumbly paste forms. Set aside.
Combine Dry Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and granulated sugar. Make a well in the center.
Combine Wet Ingredients
  1. In another medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Batter
  1. Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients. Mix with a whisk or spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are okay. Gently fold in the prepared cinnamon apples.
Assemble the Cake
  1. Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter. Carefully spoon the remaining cake batter over the swirl layer and spread gently to cover. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture on top.
Bake the Cake
  1. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
Cool & Glaze
  1. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes. While the cake cools, prepare the glaze.
Make the Glaze
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk/cream, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if a thinner glaze is desired, or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
Finish the Cake
  1. Once the cake has cooled slightly but is still warm, generously drizzle the vanilla glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For the best apple texture, use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. This cake is best served warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For a quick reheat, microwave a slice for 15-20 seconds.