Apple Fritter Cake – A Warm, Cozy Dessert You’ll Want All Year Long

Mama, if there’s one thing that instantly fills my home with comfort and warmth, it’s the smell of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven. And this Apple Fritter Cake does exactly that! It’s everything we love about those gooey, glazed apple fritters from the bakery — but in cake form, made right in your kitchen with simple ingredients and a whole lot of love.

The best part? This Apple Fritter Cake comes together easily, making it the perfect dessert (or breakfast — no judgment here!) for busy moms like us. It’s cozy, sweet, and just the thing to bring everyone running to the kitchen when that smell starts drifting through the house.

Ingredients for Apple Fritter Cake

How to make Apple Fritter Cake : ingredients you need!

For the Apple Filling

• 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp water

For the Cake Batter

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ tsp baking powder
• ½ cup milk

For the Cinnamon Swirl

• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Glaze

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp milk (or cream)

Apple Fritter Cake Video Tutorial

For those of you who would love a visual step-by-step tutorial here is one for you!

How to Make Apple Fritter Cake

How to make Apple Fritter Cake : a step by step guide

1. Make the Apple Filling

In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the apples soften. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water, then pour it into the pan and cook another minute or two until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

2. Make the Cake Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9-inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour and baking powder, then alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until just combined.

3. Assemble the Cake

Spread the cake batter evenly into the pan. Spoon the apple mixture over the top, swirling lightly with a knife to blend the layers together. Sprinkle your brown sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly on top for that signature apple fritter flavor.

4. Bake

Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

5. Glaze

While the cake is still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle the glaze generously over the top and let it soak in for that classic apple fritter sweetness.

Apple Fritter Cake: SIDE IDEA

Why Apple Fritter Cake is a Crazy Busy Mama Favorite

This Apple Fritter Cake is the definition of comfort food. It’s simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to bring your family running to the table. The best part is how versatile it is — serve it for brunch, share it at church gatherings, or enjoy it as a late-night sweet treat.

And because it uses basic pantry staples, it’s easy to whip up on a whim when you want something homemade but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen.

So mama, take a break, grab those apples, and bake this sweet slice of comfort. Because sometimes, the best moments come from the simplest things — like a warm Apple Fritter Cake, a full house, and a little time to slow down and savor it together.

Crazy Busy Mama Tip

If you want your Apple Fritter Cake to taste just like those fresh bakery fritters, warm each slice in the microwave for 10 seconds before serving. It softens the glaze, releases that cinnamon aroma, and makes it taste like it just came out of the oven. Bonus tip? Pair it with your morning coffee or my Little Debbie Christmas Tree Latte for the ultimate cozy combo!

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Mama, If you give this recipe a try and love it, I’d be thrilled if you could leave a comment and a 5-star rating below! Your feedback not only makes my day but also helps me understand what kinds of recipes you'd like to see more of.

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More Easy holiday Recipes

If you love this Apple Fritter Cake, be sure to check out these other easy holiday recipes that will add fun and flavor to every meal.

Love This Recipe? Wait Until You See What’s in My Crazy Busy Mama Cookbooks!

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From easy weeknight dinners to crave-worthy desserts, my cookbooks are packed with simple, delicious recipes and tips to save your sanity. It’s like having me right there in your kitchen, guiding you through stress-free meals your family will rave about.

Ready to reclaim your mealtime mojo? Grab a Crazy Busy Mama Cookbook now and let’s cook up some magic together!

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