Apple Fritter Cake

This apple fritter cake was inspired by the delicious flavor of a warm, cinnamon apple fritter. The lightly spiced cake batter is baked with plenty of chopped tart apple on top, and then finished with vanilla icing. Serve warm for best flavor and texture.

square of iced apple fritter cake on white plate with fork, apple and cake in pan in background
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Cool Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 55 mins
Servings:
16
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 16 servings

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan

  • 4 1/2 cups peeled, cored, and finely chopped tart apples

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar, divided

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

  • 3/4 cup white sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 cup full fat sour cream, at room temperature

  • 1/3 cup apple cider

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Icing

  • 1 cup confectioner's sugar

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 5 tablespoons heavy cream, or as needed

Directions

  1. Place 1 cup unsalted butter into a light-colored medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until butter is browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Pour browned butter into a large mixing bowl and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

  2. Combine apples and lemon juice in a large bowl. Toss to coat. Add in 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and toss until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.

  4. To the cooled brown butter, add white sugar, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg; whisk until combined. Add in eggs and vanilla and whisk until thoroughly combined; whisk in sour cream and apple cider. Add in flour, baking powder, and baking soda and stir until batter is mostly smooth.

  5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer. Scatter apples and their accumulated juices evenly over the top of the batter.

  6. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out mostly clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Allow cake to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes.

  7. Meanwhile, make icing. Whisk together powdered sugar, salt, vanilla, and heavy cream until it is  a smooth, pourable consistency, adding more heavy cream if needed. Pour icing over warm cake and smooth over the top to evenly coat. Serve cake warm.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

346 Calories
17g Fat
45g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 346
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Sodium 216mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 45g 17%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 31g
Protein 4g 7%
Vitamin C 2mg 3%
Calcium 60mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 116mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.