If you’re anything like me, you adore anything that tastes like eating a warm hug on a chilly morning — and that’s exactly what this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe brings to the table. It’s like biting into a cozy cinnamon apple fritter but with the ease of a quick bread. What makes this recipe so special is that perfect swirl of cinnamon sugar and tender apple chunks throughout the loaf, creating a balance of sweet and spicy that’s utterly irresistible.
I love making this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe for brunches or weekend breakfasts when I have a little extra time to savor something comforting. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that makes your kitchen smell like autumn all year round, which feels like magic. You’ll find that it’s fantastic to share with friends or keep all to yourself if you’re feeling indulgent!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Real Apples: The chopped apples mixed with cinnamon and butter bring juicy, flavorful bites throughout the bread.
- Easy to Make: This recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for those lazy weekends or last-minute guests.
- Delicious Cinnamon Swirl: The cinnamon sugar topping and swirl add a crispy, sweet crust that keeps every bite interesting.
- Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this bread, especially fresh and drizzled with the vanilla glaze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients here work together to create that classic apple fritter flavor you love, without needing fancy or hard-to-find items. Using simple pantry staples plus a couple of apples gets you impressive results that look and taste like a bakery loaf.
- Apples: Choose a firm, tart variety like Granny Smith for the perfect balance and texture.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds depth and that rich caramel-like sweetness essential in cinnamon sugar blends.
- Ground cinnamon: Freshly ground or good quality cinnamon makes all the difference in flavor.
- Butter: Softened butter creamed with sugar provides moisture and richness.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness without overpowering the cinnamon.
- Eggs: Bind the batter and add structure.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: The base for our batter – measure carefully to avoid a dense loaf.
- Baking powder: Helps the bread rise up light and fluffy.
- Milk and sour cream: The wet ingredients that keep the bread tender and moist.
- Powdered sugar and milk (for glaze): Create a smooth, sweet finish that you’ll want to drizzle generously.
- Salt: Essential to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
Variations
I love playing around with this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe depending on the season, and you should totally feel free to do the same. It’s a forgiving recipe that welcomes your own tweaks.
- Make it gluten-free: I once swapped out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and it turned out wonderfully moist and flavorful.
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts mixed into the batter add the perfect crunch and earthy flavor my family adores.
- Spice it up: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves to the cinnamon sugar for a little extra warmth and complexity.
- Dairy-free version: Substitute the butter with coconut oil and use a dairy-free yogurt instead of sour cream to suit dietary needs.
How to Make Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep your apples and cinnamon sugar
Start by peeling and dicing your apples into small pieces — I like them bite-sized so you get those delicious pockets of apple in every nibble. Toss them with some melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar; this mixture will soften slightly as it bakes, giving the bread that authentic apple fritter texture. Meanwhile, mix up your cinnamon sugar topping, which adds that signature sweet crunch on top and throughout the layers.
Step 2: Cream your butter and sugars
Use softened salted butter and granulated sugar, and cream them together until light and fluffy. I often use my stand mixer for this, but a hand mixer works perfectly fine too. This step is crucial because creaming incorporates air, which helps the bread rise and become tender.
Step 3: Add eggs and vanilla thoughtfully
Beat in your eggs one at a time, giving the mixture a thorough mix after each addition. This ensures everything blends evenly without curdling. Then add the vanilla extract for that warm, aromatic note that makes the bread smell and taste irresistible.
Step 4: Combine dry and wet ingredients carefully
Whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt separately to make sure they’re evenly distributed. Then alternate adding the dry ingredients to the butter mixture with your milk and sour cream blend. Mixing on low speed just until combined keeps the batter tender; overmixing could lead to a dense loaf, which we want to avoid!
Step 5: Layer the batter and apples in the loaf pan
This is my favorite part because it creates that beautiful swirl effect. Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spread evenly, then sprinkle half the apples and cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Repeat with the remaining batter, apples, and topping. This layering is what makes this recipe truly stand out. Smooth the top gently, then get ready to bake.
Step 6: Bake and then glaze your loaf
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 50 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. While it cools on a wire rack, whisk up a simple glaze from powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Once your bread is fully cool, drizzle the glaze over the top and get ready for that first delicious slice.
Pro Tips for Making Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
- Choose Firm Apples: I learned that using apples that aren’t too soft helps keep bites tender, not mushy after baking.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing batter just until combined ensures your bread stays light and fluffy, a common trick I follow religiously.
- Layer Carefully: Adding apples and cinnamon sugar in layers creates those irresistible pockets of flavor you’ll crave.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: I used to rush this part, but glazing while warm makes a mess, so waiting pays off with a prettier finish.
How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve this Apple Fritter Bread, I love to add a little extra something on top—usually a light dusting of cinnamon or a quick drizzle of honey if I don’t want even more sweetness from the glaze. Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped toasted pecans over the glaze right after drizzling for an added crunch and nutty flair.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or chai tea in the morning. For a brunch spread, I like to serve it alongside creamy yogurt topped with fresh berries or a simple cheese plate with mild cheeses like brie or cream cheese, which complements the cinnamon and apple flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve layered sliced Apple Fritter Bread with cinnamon whipped cream in a trifle dish—everyone is always amazed by how the familiar flavors get a fresh presentation. Also, slicing the loaf and toasting the pieces slightly before serving gives a fantastic crispy edge that’s perfect for breakfast gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Apple Fritter Bread is completely cooled, I wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to three days. My family enjoys it best that way because the bread stays soft yet retains just the right amount of moistness from the apples.
Freezing
Freezing works beautifully for this bread! I slice it before freezing, then arrange the slices on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. After that, I transfer them into a sealed bag. When you’re ready, you can toast the frozen slices directly—super convenient and they taste almost like fresh-baked.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to life, I recommend reheating slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 325°F for a few minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that delightful crispy edge; microwaves tend to make the texture a bit gummy.
FAQs
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Can I use different types of apples for this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe?
Absolutely! While I recommend tart and firm apples like Granny Smith for balance and texture, you can experiment with Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. Just be mindful that softer apples might turn mushy when baked.
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Is it necessary to add sour cream in the batter?
Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness, resulting in tender bread. You can substitute with plain yogurt if needed, but skipping it entirely might make your bread less moist.
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How should I store leftover Apple Fritter Bread?
Wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil and keep it at room temperature if consuming within 3 days. For longer storage, freezing sliced bread is your best bet, maintaining its flavor and texture well.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
With some ingredient swaps like dairy-free butter, plant-based milk, and a vegan sour cream alternative, you can make this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe vegan-friendly. Just use flax eggs or a commercial egg replacer instead of eggs.
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Does the glaze have to be added?
The glaze adds a lovely sweet finish and visual appeal, but the bread is delicious on its own if you prefer less sweetness. I usually drizzle mine lightly to keep it balanced, but feel free to adjust according to your taste.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Fritter Bread Recipe is truly one I turn to whenever I want a baking project that feels special but not intimidating. It fills the home with a warm cinnamon aroma, delivers rich apple flavor in every bite, and pairs beautifully with your favorite morning beverage. If you’re craving something both nostalgic and fresh, give this recipe a try—I’m sure it’ll become a beloved classic in your kitchen just like it is in mine.
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Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 65 mins
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Fritter Bread is a delightful, moist loaf loaded with cinnamon-spiced diced apples and topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar crumble. Finished with a smooth vanilla glaze, it’s a perfect breakfast treat or dessert that combines the flavors of classic apple fritters in an easy-to-make bread form.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Apples
- 2 apples, peeled and cut into small dice
- 2 tbsp dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp butter, melted
Cinnamon Sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Batter
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract, pure or artificial
- 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ⅓ cup milk
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ¼ tsp salt
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside to ensure easy removal of the bread later.
- Make Cinnamon Apples: In a bowl, combine the diced apples with 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon melted butter and mix well to coat all the apple pieces evenly.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup dark brown sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. This will be used for the topping and layers inside the bread.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Combine Milk and Sour Cream: In a separate bowl or a measuring cup, whisk together the milk and sour cream until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this dry mix to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix on low speed and gradually drizzle in the milk and sour cream mixture. Continue mixing just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Layer Batter and Apples: Spread half of the batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the diced cinnamon apples over the batter, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
- Add Remaining Batter and Toppings: Spread the remaining batter over the layered apples and cinnamon sugar. Top with the remaining apples and cinnamon sugar mixture, spreading evenly.
- Bake: Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Prepare Glaze: While the bread bakes and cools, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until you achieve a smooth, pourable glaze.
- Cool and Glaze: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, remove from the pan and drizzle the vanilla glaze evenly over the top before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a tangier flavor, or sweeter apples like Fuji for a milder taste.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and light.
- If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with the same amount of plain yogurt.
- The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze or more milk for a thinner drizzle.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
