This Apple Fritter Cake is a fun twist on a classic treat! With tender apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s like a warm hug in dessert form.
What I love most is how easy it is to make—just mix, bake, and enjoy! The sweet glaze on top is the cherry on the cake, and I might have licked the bowl clean! 🍏🍰
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This gives the cake structure. If you want a gluten-free version, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Sour Cream: It adds moisture and tanginess. Greek yogurt can be a great substitute for a similar texture and flavor.
Apples: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal for this cake due to their balance of sweet and tart. For a twist, you could use diced pears or even peaches!
Nuts: Walnuts and pecans add crunch, but if you have nut allergies, feel free to leave them out altogether or replace them with seeds like sunflower seeds for some texture.
How Do I Properly Cream Butter and Sugar?
Creaming butter and sugar is key for a fluffy cake. Start with softened butter—this allows air to be incorporated, making the cake light. Here’s how to do it:
- In a bowl, add softened butter and granulated sugar.
- Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through.
This technique ensures a nice rise and gives a tender texture to your Apple Fritter Cake!
What’s the Right Way to Fold in Ingredients?
Folding gently is crucial when incorporating delicate ingredients like apples or nuts into the batter to avoid deflating it. Here’s how you do it:
- Add the chunks (like apples) to the batter.
- Using a spatula, scoop from the bottom of the bowl and gently lift the mixture over the apples.
- Continue until just combined—do not overmix!
This maintains the fluffy texture while evenly distributing all those yummy apple pieces!
Apple Fritter Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced small (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Topping:
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Apple Fritter Cake will take you about 15 minutes to prepare, plus another 45-55 minutes to bake. After baking, allow for 15 minutes to cool in the pan, and then some time for it to cool completely before you add the glaze. Overall, expect around 1 hour and 30 minutes from start to finish. Worth every minute!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Pan:
First things first—let’s preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, go ahead and grease and flour a 9-inch bundt pan or tube pan. This will help ensure your cake comes out easily when it’s done baking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This helps to ensure that everything is evenly distributed and will mix nicely into the batter later.
3. Creaming Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step—it’s crucial for a nice texture!
4. Adding Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until everything is well combined. Your mixture should be looking nice and creamy by now!
5. Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Do this alternately with the sour cream. Start with a little bit of the dry mix, then add some sour cream, continuing to mix until everything is just combined—do not overmix.
6. Adding Apples and Nuts:
Gently fold in the diced apples and any nuts you might be using. This is where all the delicious flavors come into play! Make sure your apples are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Pouring into the Pan:
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared bundt pan. Give it a little shake to settle the batter nicely into the corners.
8. Making It Tasty with Topping:
In a small bowl, mix together the topping sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and remaining nuts. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter in the pan—this will add a lovely crunch on top!
9. Baking Time:
Now, it’s time to bake! Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. Check with a toothpick inserted into the center; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready. If the top gets too brown, you can cover it loosely with foil.
10. Cooling the Cake:
Let your cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. After that, invert it onto a serving plate to cool completely. You’ll want it to be cool enough for the glaze!
11. Preparing the Glaze:
For the finishing touch, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. This glaze will give your cake the sweetest shine!
12. Drizzling and Serving:
Now, drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake. For the best experience, slice it and enjoy the warm, cinnamon-apple flavors with that sweet, creamy glaze. It’s a total treat!
This Apple Fritter Cake beautifully captures the flavors of traditional apple fritters in a moist cake form. Satisfying and comforting, it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy every bite!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are great choices, you can also use Fuji, Gala, or any apple you enjoy. Just be sure to avoid overly soft varieties that might turn mushy in the cake.
Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the batter and refrigerate it for up to a day before baking. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before baking for even cooking. You can also bake it ahead of time, and it will keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, which will keep well for up to 3 months.
Can I Leave Out the Nuts?
Definitely! If you prefer a nut-free cake, just omit the walnuts or pecans. The cake will still be delicious and packed with apple flavor!