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Sweet Apple Fritter Cake

Apple fritter cake meets classic coffee-cake swirls in a golden cinnamon swirl apple cake baked with caramelized apple pieces throughout. A thick vanilla glaze is poured over fork holes so it sinks in for a tender, glazed apple breakfast cake slice.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 2.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.75 cup butter, softened
  • 1.5 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cup diced apple about 2 medium apples
Cinnamon swirl
  • 0.33 cup brown sugar
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
Glaze
  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 0.33 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and mix the cake batter
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 pan for easy release.
  2. Beat the softened butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
  3. Alternate adding the dry flour mixture (flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon) and the whole milk, mixing just until the batter is combined.
  4. Fold in the diced apple so the pieces are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Add cinnamon swirl
  1. Pour half the batter into the pan and sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture over it.
  2. Pour the remaining batter on top, then swirl with a knife to create streaks of cinnamon throughout.
Bake and glaze
  1. Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the top looks golden.
  2. Poke holes all over the warm cake and pour the vanilla glaze over the top immediately so it sinks in.

Notes

Pro tip: Swirl with a light hand—visible cinnamon ribbons help mimic an apple fritter texture in every slice. Store covered in the fridge up to 4 days; rewarm individual portions in the microwave 15–20 seconds. Freezing is yes—freeze slices (glaze side up) up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge. For a lighter option, swap half the butter for an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce.