Description
This Sweet & Spiced Apple Fritter Cake captures the nostalgic essence of a bakery fritter in a moist sheet cake format. Loaded with Granny Smith apples and a cinnamon-sugar swirl, it’s finished with a vanilla glaze that seeps into hand-poked holes for a cozy, syrupy finish.
Ingredients
The Apple Filling & Swirl
- 2 cups Granny Smith apples, diced
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water
- Swirl: 1/2 cup dark brown sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon
The Cake Batter
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Leavening/Spice: 1 tsp each baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon; 1/2 tsp salt
The Vanilla Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Filling: Cook apples, sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and water over medium heat for 5–6 mins until glossy. Cool.
Cream: Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar for 3 mins until light and fluffy.
Batter: Beat in applesauce, vanilla, and eggs. Alternately fold in dry ingredients and Greek yogurt, beginning and ending with dry.
Layer: Spread half the batter in a 9×13 pan. Top with apple filling and 2/3 of the swirl mixture. Cover with remaining batter and swirl sugar.
Bake & Glaze: Bake for 35–40 mins. Poke ~30 holes in the hot cake and pour the vanilla glaze over immediately.
Notes
The ‘3-Minute’ Rule: Creaming the butter and sugar properly builds the structure needed to hold the heavy fruit layers.
Poking Holes: Doing this while the cake is piping hot allows the glaze to create moist ‘veins’ similar to a fried doughnut.
Apple Choice: Granny Smiths hold their shape and provide a tart contrast to the sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking / Stovetop Reduction
- Cuisine: American Bakery-Style
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Square
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: apple fritter cake, granny smith apple cake, cinnamon swirl sheet cake, autumn desserts, glazed apple cake, moist apple fritter recipe