This Easy Apple Fritter Cake captures all the beloved flavors of the bakery classic sweet glaze, cinnamon spice, and tender chunks of apple without the hassle of deep frying. By using a boxed cake mix as a shortcut, this recipe comes together quickly, filling your kitchen with the warm, comforting aroma of fall spices.
With a moist, spiced crumb and a layer of caramelized apples topped with a sweet vanilla glaze, this cake is the ultimate cozy dessert for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.
Recipe Details
This recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a decadent dessert that tastes like it took hours to make. Here is why you will love it:
- Flavor Profile: It features the warmth of apple pie spice and brown sugar, balanced by the tartness of the apples and the sweetness of the vanilla glaze.
- Texture: You get a soft, fluffy cake base studded with tender sautéed apples, all finished with a delicate, sugary crust from the glaze.
- Time: The active prep includes just about 8 minutes of sautéing apples, followed by a 30-35 minute bake.
- Difficulty: This is a very easy recipe that simplifies baking by using a yellow cake mix as the base.
What You’ll Need
To make this cake, you will need a large skillet to soften the apples and a 9×13-inch baking pan. The ingredients list relies on a convenient yellow cake mix, fresh apples, and common baking spices to create that authentic apple fritter taste.
Ingredient Notes
- Unpeeled Sweet-Tart Apples – Varieties like Cosmic Crisp or Pink Lady are excellent because they hold their shape during cooking and provide a nice tart contrast to the sugar. Leaving them unpeeled adds texture and color.
- Yellow Cake Mix – This serves as the foolproof base for the batter. You will just need to add the wet ingredients required by the box instructions.
- Apple or Pumpkin Pie Spice – This blend is crucial for that “fritter” flavor. It is used in two places: sautéed with the apples and mixed directly into the batter.
- Butter – You will need butter for sautéing the apples to give them a rich flavor, plus whatever fat (butter or oil) your specific cake mix requires.
- Powdered Sugar & Milk – These combine to create the simple white glaze that is signature to an apple fritter.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Nuts – For added crunch, you can stir chopped walnuts or pecans into the cake batter or sprinkle them over the top before glazing.
- Caramel – If you are a caramel apple fan, you can drizzle caramel sauce over the finished cake instead of, or in addition to, the white glaze.
- Spice Blend – If you do not have apple pie spice, you can make your own blend using mostly cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg and allspice.
How to Make Easy Apple Fritter Cake
- Prep the pan. Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. To make removing the cake easier, line the bottom and two long sides with a sheet of parchment paper to form a sling.
- Sauté the apples. Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced unpeeled apples, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of the apple pie spice, and the kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften and the liquid is almost evaporated, which takes about 8 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the apples cool slightly.
- Make the batter. Prepare the yellow cake mix by mixing it with the water or milk, eggs, and unsalted butter (or oil) as listed on the package directions. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice to the batter and mix well.
- Assemble. Pour the spiced batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top. Spoon the cooked apples and any remaining syrupy liquid from the skillet evenly over the top of the cake batter.
- Bake. Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes.
- Cool. Place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours. This is important so the glaze sets properly.
- Glaze. Whisk the powdered sugar and 5 teaspoons of whole milk together in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle this glaze evenly over the cooled cake. You can serve it immediately or let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tip: Make sure to let the apple mixture cool slightly before adding it to the raw cake batter. If the apples are piping hot, they can start to cook the top layer of the batter unevenly before it hits the oven.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t peel the apples: Keeping the peel on saves time and adds a lovely rustic texture that mimics the chunks of fruit found in a traditional fritter.
- Check the liquid: When sautéing the apples, ensure most of the liquid has evaporated. If the apple mixture is too soupy, it might make the top of the cake soggy.
- Cool completely: It is tempting to glaze a warm cake, but if the cake is too hot, the glaze will simply melt and soak in rather than forming that nice sugary crust on top.
- Sling method: Using parchment paper to create a “sling” allows you to lift the entire cake out of the pan for easier slicing and beautiful presentation.
FAQs
Can I use Granny Smith apples? Yes, Granny Smith apples are a great substitute if you prefer a sharper, more tart flavor to cut through the sweetness of the cake and glaze.
How do I store this cake? Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If storing in the fridge, let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. You can bake the cake the day before and keep it covered. It is best to add the glaze on the day you plan to serve it to keep it fresh and distinct from the moist cake.
Serving Suggestions
This cake is versatile enough for dessert or a sweet breakfast.
- Ice Cream: Serve a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Coffee: It pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making it a great option for brunch.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream adds a light, airy finish.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This is a sturdy cake that travels well, making it great for potlucks.
- The Apples: You can dice the apples ahead of time, but toss them with a little lemon juice to prevent browning if you aren’t cooking them immediately.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked, unglazed cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw it at room temperature and add the glaze just before serving.
Easy Apple Fritter Cake (No-Fry Sheet Cake)
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Apple Fritter Cake delivers all the warm, spiced flavor and tender texture of the classic deep-fried treat in a hassle-free sheet cake form. Utilizing a yellow cake mix as a shortcut, this recipe features a moist, tender crumb, a caramelized apple topping, and a signature vanilla glaze, making it the perfect quick, comforting dessert or brunch item.
Ingredients
Apple Topping
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 1/2 cups small dice unpeeled sweet-tart apples (about 4 medium or 1 1/2 pounds apples)
- 1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons apple or pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Cake and Glaze
- 1 (13.25- to 15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- Water or milk and eggs needed for cake mix (see package directions)
- Butter/Oil needed for cake mix (see package directions)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 5 teaspoons whole or 2% milk
- Cooking spray
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat Oven
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. For easier removal, line the bottom and two long sides of the pan with a sheet of parchment paper to create a sling.
Step 2: Sauté the Apples
Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced unpeeled apples, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of the apple pie spice, and the kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples have begun to soften and most of the liquid has evaporated, which should take about 8 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the apple mixture to cool slightly.
Step 3: Prepare the Batter
Prepare the yellow cake mix according to the package directions, combining it with the water or milk, eggs, and unsalted butter (or oil) as specified on the box. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice directly into the prepared cake batter and mix until just combined.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Pour the spiced cake batter into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Evenly spoon the slightly cooled, cooked apples and any remaining syrupy liquid from the skillet over the top of the cake batter.
Step 5: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, approximately 30 to 35 minutes.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Let the cake cool completely for about 1 1/2 hours. This step is critical to ensure the glaze sets properly and doesn’t melt into the cake.
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 5 teaspoons of whole or 2% milk until a smooth, thick glaze forms. Drizzle this glaze evenly over the fully cooled cake. Serve immediately, or let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Freezing Instructions: The baked cake (before glazing) freezes beautifully. Wrap the fully cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then an outer layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and apply the glaze just before serving.
Why Cool the Apples: Allowing the sautéed apple mixture to cool slightly before adding it to the raw cake batter prevents the heat from prematurely cooking the batter, which can lead to an uneven or gummy texture.
Storage: Store the glazed cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days for the best quality, or you can refrigerate it for up to 4 days. If refrigerated, let it warm up slightly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: apple fritter cake, easy cake mix recipe, no-fry apple fritter, fall dessert, spiced apple cake, 9x13 cake
