There’s something utterly comforting about the smell of baked apples and cinnamon wafting through the kitchen — that’s exactly the feeling you get when you make this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe. It’s like a warm hug in dessert form, bursting with juicy apple chunks and a tender, buttery crumb topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Trust me, this cake is worth every minute.

A round apple cake with a golden brown crust and a moist inside full of small apple pieces sits on a white marble board. The cake has two visible layers: a dense bottom layer with apple chunks and a top layer covered in a shiny white glaze and sprinkled pieces of nuts or sugar bits. A slice is being lifted by a pie server with a wooden handle, showing the soft, textured inside. In the background, there is a basket with red and green apples, a lit beige candle with melted wax on the white marble surface, and the whole setting is soft-lit with warm tones. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This is my go-to whenever I want something cozy but a little special. It’s not just a dessert; it’s an experience—soft apple bites wrapped in spiced cake and drizzled with a luscious vanilla icing. Making it feels like a mini celebration of fall or any day you want to treat yourself.

Moist and Tender Texture: This cake stays soft and rich because of the sour cream and butter, giving it that melt-in-your-mouth quality I adore.
Easy Yet Impressive: Despite feeling fancy, it’s super straightforward to make — no complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
Perfect Apple Spices: Cinnamon and a hint of cardamom make every bite cozy and warmly spiced without overpowering the apples.
Versatile Anytime Treat: Whether it’s brunch, afternoon coffee, or dessert with ice cream, this cake adapts beautifully to every occasion.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The harmony of fresh apples, warm spices, and rich cake base here is what makes this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe shine. Picking the right apples and using sour cream really elevate the texture and flavor.

Flat lay of peeled and cubed small fresh apples, a mound of dark brown sugar, a small heap of ground cinnamon, a tiny pinch of ground cardamom in a white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small pile of all purpose flour, a small white bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a pat of softened unsalted butter, a small heap of granulated sugar, two whole uncracked large brown eggs, a small dollop of sour cream, a pinch of sea salt, a small heap of baking powder, a small pile of baking soda, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of milk, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apples: I like using tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so they hold up while baking and add a nice balance to the sweetness.
Dark Brown Sugar: Adds a deep, molasses flavor that complements the apples perfectly—it’s worth seeking out if you only usually keep white sugar at home.
Cinnamon: The star spice here, providing warmth and that classic apple pie vibe we all crave.
Cardamom: Optional but highly recommended—it brings a subtle exotic twist without stealing the show.
Vanilla Extract: I always use pure vanilla extract for that authentic, rich flavor that cuts through the spices beautifully.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone that holds the cake together, making sure it’s soft but structured.
Lemon Juice: Keeps the apple pieces bright and prevents browning, plus adds a little zing.
Unsalted Butter: For that rich, moist crumb—make sure it’s softened to blend smoothly.
Granulated Sugar & Powdered Sugar: Granulated sweetens the batter, while powdered sugar is used to make that silky, dreamy glaze on top.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs whisk up better with the butter and give the cake a nice lift.
Sour Cream: This ingredient keeps the cake moist and tender — plus it adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness wonderfully.
Sea Salt: Just a pinch to highlight all the flavors.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These help the cake rise perfectly without getting too dense.
Milk: Added to the glaze for that smooth pouring texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this cake depending on the season or mood. It’s super forgiving and open to your creative flair. For example, swapping in pears or adding a handful of chopped nuts can add exciting textures and flavors.

Variation: I once added a handful of toasted pecans and a splash of bourbon to the glaze for a grown-up twist that was a huge hit at our holiday party.
Dietary Swap: You can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version.
Seasonal Change: In spring, I sometimes swap out apples for diced rhubarb and hit the cinnamon back a bit to suit the tangier fruit.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe

A clear glass bowl filled with small, cut apple pieces mixed with a brown cinnamon-like coating is shown. The apple pieces are light yellow with brown cinnamon specks, evenly mixed together in one layer inside the bowl. A woman's hand is holding the side of the bowl, and a silver spoon with a decorative handle rests inside, partially covered by the apple mixture. In the background, there is a basket with several red and green apples, a lit white candle, and a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep the Apples and Flavor Mix

Start by peeling and chopping your apples into small cubes—that way they’ll distribute evenly throughout the cake. Toss them with the lemon juice so they stay fresh and lively in color. Then mix the dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom together, and sprinkle that spice mix all over the apples. This step is key for building the deep cinnamon aroma that feels just like apple fritters from the fair.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar & Eggs

In a big bowl, beat your softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with a mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps create a smooth batter that rises well.

Step 3: Blend in Sour Cream and Vanilla

Next, add the sour cream and vanilla extract. This combo keeps the cake moist and adds that extra depth of flavor you’ll notice with each bite. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add this to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until everything comes together—don’t overmix, or the cake might get tough.

Step 5: Fold in the Spiced Apples

Stir those beautifully coated apple pieces (with their cinnamon sugar) into the cake batter, ensuring they’re evenly spread. This is where your cake gets its signature, juicy pockets of flavor.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Delicious

Pour the batter into a greased or lined 9x13-inch pan. Pop it in a 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for about 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 7: Whip the Vanilla Glaze and Drizzle

While the cake cools for about 15 minutes, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. If it seems too thick, add a little more milk. Drizzle this glaze generously over the warm cake—it creates that signature crunchy-sweet finish reminiscent of a classic fritter.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe again and again, a few small tricks make a huge difference in the finished cake’s texture and flavor.

Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice: Tossing the apples in lemon juice keeps their color bright and stops them from turning mushy in the batter.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing your eggs and sour cream to room temp ensures better mixing and a fluffier cake.
Gentle Folding: When adding dry ingredients and apples, fold gently to keep the cake tender and avoid overworking the batter.
Glaze Consistency: Adjust milk in the glaze slowly so it’s pourable but not too runny — it should coat the cake surface nicely.

How to Serve Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple—a light dusting of extra cinnamon powder or a few thin apple slices on top looks lovely. Sometimes, a sprinkle of chopped toasted walnuts adds a nice crunch and complements the warm flavors.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For brunch, I serve it alongside creamy scrambled eggs or crispy bacon — the sweet and savory balance is irresistible.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I cut it into mini squares and serve on a pretty platter with small dollops of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. It also makes a delightful trifle layer, mixed with custard and extra cinnamon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cake covered tightly at room temperature if I’m eating it within a day or two. For longer storage, wrapping it well and refrigerating helps keep it fresh without drying out.

Freezing

This Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe freezes beautifully! Slice it, wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and store in an airtight container. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight, and it still tastes just as delicious.

Reheating

I warm slices gently in a microwave for about 20 seconds or in a low oven for 10 minutes to revive that fresh-baked softness. Adding a scoop of ice cream right after reheating truly feels like dessert heaven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of apples for this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe?

Absolutely! While tart apples like Granny Smith hold their shape best, you can experiment with sweeter varieties like Fuji or Gala for a softer, sweeter cake. Just be mindful they may soften more during baking.

Is the sour cream essential in this recipe?

The sour cream keeps the cake incredibly moist and tangy, balancing out the sweetness of the apples and sugar. If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk, but the texture might vary slightly.

How do I make sure the cake doesn’t turn out dry?

Key to moistness is not overbaking; start checking the cake at around 55 minutes. Also, be gentle when mixing the batter and make sure to cream the butter and sugar properly. Using sour cream also contributes to that tender crumb.

Can this Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Use a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum to help replicate the texture. The cake may be slightly denser, but still wonderfully flavorful and moist.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Fritter Cake with Cinnamon Recipe is one of those truly comforting, timeless desserts that I find myself returning to because it feels like a little slice of nostalgia baked into every bite. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to cozy up with something sweet and spiced, this cake fits the bill beautifully. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy that wonderful combination of apples, cinnamon, and vanilla just like I do!