There’s something incredibly comforting about the warm spices and tender apples in this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe. Imagine a soft vanilla cake filled with gooey apple bites and topped with a sweet glaze—that’s exactly what you get here. It’s like biting into a classic apple fritter, but in cake form, perfect any time you want a cozy treat.

The image shows a round apple cake with one slice being lifted by a spatula on the right side. The cake has two layers: the bottom layer is a golden-brown cake with a soft, crumbly texture, and the top layer is light with chunks of apple and a white glaze drizzled over it. The cake sits on a white round tray with some crumbs scattered around. In the background, there is a basket wrapped with a floral cloth filled with red and green apples, along with a lit small cream-colored candle on the right side, all set against a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made many apple desserts over the years, but this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe truly stands out. It’s not only delicious but so approachable – you don’t need any fancy equipment or complicated steps. Plus, it fills your home with that dreamy cinnamon-and-apple aroma that just makes everything feel like fall.

Perfectly moist texture: The addition of sour cream keeps the cake incredibly tender and never dry.
True-to-fritter flavor: The cubed apples cinnamon-spiced filling gives those classic apple fritter vibes in every bite.
Easy to make: No frying involved—just simple mixing and baking, which is a real time saver.
Versatile serving options: It works beautifully for brunch, a cozy coffee break, or even dessert with ice cream.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays an important role to create the best Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe. The mix of spices, fresh apples, and creamy sour cream all bring that balance between sweet, tart, and spiced flavor profiles, while keeping the cake tender and moist.

Flat lay of peeled and cubed fresh apples, a small pile of dark brown sugar, a small mound of ground cinnamon, a tiny pinch of ground cardamom, a small white bowl with vanilla extract, a small pile of all purpose flour, a small white bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a few cubes of softened unsalted butter, a small mound of granulated sugar, two whole uncracked large eggs with clean shells, a small dollop of sour cream, a pinch of sea salt, a small pile of baking powder, a pinch of baking soda, a small bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of milk, a tiny white bowl with pure vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apples: Use crisp, firm varieties like Braeburn or Honeycrisp for juicy chunks that hold their shape.
Dark brown sugar: Provides rich molasses notes that deepen the flavor and complement the cinnamon.
Cinnamon: The star spice that gives the cake its warm, cozy aroma and signature flavor.
Cardamom: Optional, but adds a subtle complex spice for extra depth.
Vanilla extract: Boosts sweetness and aroma both in the apple filling and the batter.
All purpose flour: The backbone of the cake structure, balanced to be soft yet sturdy.
Lemon juice: Keeps the apples from browning and adds a touch of brightness.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness and a tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake without overpowering the fruit.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add moisture and structure.
Sour cream: Keeps the cake moist with a slight tang that cuts through the sweetness.
Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Baking powder & baking soda: Help the cake rise and keep it light.
Powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract for glaze: Create a smooth, glossy icing that adds sweetness and a bit of crunch on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to keep this recipe as is because it nails the classic flavor, but you can absolutely personalize it. Sometimes I swap the cardamom for nutmeg when I’m running low, or add toasted pecans for a little crunch. You’ll find this cake very flexible to your kitchen mood and pantry stashes.

Variation: I’ve tried substituting half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour to add nuttiness and a bit more fiber, and it was delicious but slightly denser.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut yogurt instead of sour cream and a non-dairy milk for the glaze if you want to keep it vegan-friendly.
Spice Adjustment: Feel free to increase cinnamon or add a pinch of cloves if you prefer a more robust spiced flavor.
Apple Variety: Experiment with tart apples like Granny Smith for more tang or sweeter ones like Fuji for a mellow taste.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe

A clear glass bowl filled with small, uneven pieces of peeled apple coated in a mix of light brown cinnamon and sugar, creating a textured and slightly sticky look. The apple pieces are pale yellow with areas darkened by the cinnamon. A woman's hand is holding the side of the bowl, while a black spoon rests inside, partially submerged in the fruit mixture. In the soft-focused background, there is a woven basket with green and red apples spilling out, alongside a lit candle casting warm light. The whole setting is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling

First things first, peel and cube your apples into small, bite-sized pieces. Toss them with the lemon juice, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom (if using), vanilla extract, and a bit of flour so they’re evenly coated and won’t sink while baking. This mixture releases its juices and softens during baking, creating that signature ‘fritter’ texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is key to getting a tender crumb. Don’t rush it — 3 to 5 minutes with a hand or stand mixer works well. Then add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition for a silky batter.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Add half of this dry mix to your butter mixture, followed by half the sour cream and vanilla. Repeat with the remaining half. This alternating method helps keep the batter smooth and prevents overmixing, which can toughen the cake.

Step 4: Fold in Apple Filling

Gently fold your spiced apple filling into the batter. Be careful not to overmix — you want to keep those apple pieces intact and evenly distributed. Then pour the batter into a greased pan, smoothing the top for even baking.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Done

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about an hour or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs — that gooey apple will always make it look a little wet. If you notice the top browning too quickly, tent the cake loosely with foil.

Step 6: Make and Drizzle the Glaze

While the cake cools slightly, whisk powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Adjust the milk to get your desired consistency. Drizzle it over the warm cake for a sweet, slightly crunchy finish that melts into those apple pockets. Let the glaze set before slicing.

Top Tip

From my many tries, these tips have made the biggest difference in perfecting the Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe. They’ll help avoid common pitfalls and give you the best results almost every time.

Don’t skip the sour cream: It’s the secret weapon for moisture and slight tanginess, keeping the cake from drying out.
Use room temperature ingredients: Whether it’s eggs, butter, or sour cream, room temp makes mixing easier and ensures an even batter.
Even apple pieces: Cut the apples small and uniform so they cook evenly and don’t weigh one part of the cake down.
Watch the bake time: Apple juices can make the cake seem underdone; test with a toothpick near the edges and don’t rely only on the center.

How to Serve Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe

Garnishes

When I serve this cake, I like to sprinkle a little extra ground cinnamon on top of the glaze for that warm fragrance. A dusting of powdered sugar also makes it look extra special. For a touch of texture, some toasted pecans or walnuts on the glaze are lovely additions.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea—that mix of spices works beautifully together. For brunch, I’ll serve it alongside scrambled eggs or a light fruit salad to balance the sweetness. And in the evening, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream makes for an indulgent finish.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love cutting the cake into squares and serving on a rustic wooden board with assorted cheeses and fresh apple slices, creating an autumn-themed dessert platter. You could also layer slices with whipped cream and caramel drizzle for a deconstructed apple fritter trifle if you’re feeling fancy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, cover your Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is warm, it’s better to pop it in the fridge, but bring it back to room temp before serving so it’s super tender.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cake both sliced and whole with good results. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. To enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave to revive that just-baked softness.

Reheating

When reheating leftovers, I recommend warming individual slices at 300°F for 10-12 minutes in the oven, which helps the glaze set and the apples to soften just right. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the glaze’s texture from getting too soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What type of apples work best in Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe?

Firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Granny Smith work best because they hold their shape during baking, providing that signature tender apple bite without turning mushy.

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

You can use frozen apples but make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the batter, to avoid watering down the cake and affecting texture. Fresh apples are preferable for the best results.

How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

Use a toothpick test around the edges of the cake. Due to the juicy apples, the center may appear slightly moist, but if the edges come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. If the top browns too fast, cover with foil during baking.

Can I make this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute sour cream with dairy-free yogurt or coconut cream, and use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk for the glaze. Use a vegan butter alternative to keep it fully dairy-free.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe is one of those desserts I come back to whenever I want something homey and satisfying without fuss. It’s the perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and tummy-warming texture. I just love how it fills my kitchen with fall vibes and feels like a big cozy hug on a plate—trust me, you’re going to want to make it again and again.