Sweet Apple Fritter Cake: A Cozy Fall Delight to Savor Recipe
A cozy and comforting Sweet Apple Fritter Cake that celebrates fall flavors with tender pieces of Granny Smith apples, warm cinnamon sugar layers, and a luscious vanilla glaze. Perfectly spiced and moist, this cake is ideal for seasonal gatherings or a sweet everyday treat.
- Author: Hannah
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Cake
- 3 cups Granny Smith Apples, diced (can substitute with Honeycrisp or Braeburn)
- 1 cup White Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch (can be replaced with tapioca starch)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (use freshly ground for better taste)
- 1/2 cup Dark Brown Sugar (light brown sugar can be substituted)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt (sour cream can be used as a substitute)
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (can be substituted with a gluten-free blend)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (regular salt can be used if needed)
- 2 large Eggs, room temperature
For the Cinnamon Sugar Layer
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (feel free to increase for extra warmth)
- 1/4 cup White Sugar (adjust to taste)
For the Glaze
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2–4 tablespoons Milk (adjust for thickness)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (use pure vanilla for the best taste)
- Prepare Apple Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine diced Granny Smith apples, white sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, and a splash of water. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the apples soften and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix ground cinnamon and white sugar. Set this aside; it will be used to add warmth and sweetness to the cake layers.
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly with unsalted butter to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the room-temperature unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes, ensuring air is incorporated for a tender cake.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix in the cooled apple mixture, vanilla extract, and eggs to the creamed butter and sugar until smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon to ensure even distribution of leavening and spices.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with Greek yogurt, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which could toughen the cake.
- Assemble Cake Layers: Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Layer the cooled apple mixture over the batter, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Pour the remaining batter over this layer, spread evenly, and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on the final layer.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Prepare Glaze: While the cake bakes, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Adjust milk quantity to achieve desired glaze thickness.
- Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is baked and still warm, poke holes all over the top using a toothpick or skewer. Pour the glaze evenly over the cake so it seeps into the holes, enhancing moisture and flavor. Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute Granny Smith apples with Honeycrisp or Braeburn for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- For gluten-free option, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
- Use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt if preferred; it will provide a similar texture and tang.
- If you want a stronger cinnamon flavor, increase the cinnamon in the cinnamon sugar layer.
- Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- To keep the cake moist, do not overbake; checking with a toothpick is recommended.
- Adjust the glaze milk amount for consistency; thicker glaze for spreading, thinner for soaking into the cake.
Keywords: apple fritter cake, fall dessert, cinnamon cake, apple cake, glazed cake, cozy dessert, autumn baking