Name: Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 apples, peeled and cut into small dice; 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar (packed); 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon butter, melted; ½ cup dark brown sugar (lightly packed); 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ cup salted butter, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure or artificial); 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 2½ teaspoons baking powder; ⅓ cup milk; ⅓ cup sour cream; ¼ teaspoon salt (pinch); ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 tablespoon milk; ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re looking for a cozy, sweet treat that feels like autumn in every bite, I can’t recommend this Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe enough. It’s like your favorite apple fritter, but in a loaf form that’s super easy to slice and share. I love this because it’s packed with tender cinnamon apples inside and a delicious cinnamon sugar crunch on top—perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything to make sure yours turns out absolutely perfect.

💚

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All the Classic Flavors: It captures that warm apple and cinnamon combo we all crave without the hassle of frying doughnuts.
Simple to Make: The method is straightforward, and I’ll share tips to avoid soggy apples or dry bread.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a lazy weekend breakfast or a potluck dessert, this bread will disappear fast.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to sour cream and a touch of milk, it stays soft and fresh for days.

The image shows ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface, each in small white bowls or plates. Starting from the top left, there is a bowl filled with white granulated sugar, next to it a larger bowl with white all-purpose flour. Below the flour, a small container of white baking powder and a white dish holding two white eggs are visible. Near the center is a bowl with pale yellow butter chunks, a small white bowl of white milk, and another with white sour cream, all nearby. To the right, three red apples with yellow highlights are placed together. Nearby are small white containers holding dark brown sugar, one with a wooden handle filled with more dark brown sugar, a small dish of dark ground cinnamon, and another small dish of lighter ground cinnamon. A white bowl with vanilla extract sits between the apples and dairy ingredients, while another small white bowl has a small amount of butter. The items are spaced evenly on the clean white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe plays a special role to boost flavor and texture. The apples add natural sweetness and moisture, while both kinds of sugar bring caramel notes and the classic cinnamon spice warmth. Be sure to choose crisp apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp for the best bite!

Apples: Use firm, tart apples—peeling and dicing them keeps the bread from getting too mushy.
Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like richness that balances perfectly with cinnamon.
Ground Cinnamon: The signature spice here; fresh cinnamon is best for that warm aroma.
Butter: Melted and softened butter both enhance richness and help the batter hold together.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and improves texture.
Eggs: They’re essential for binding everything and helping the bread rise.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash adds complexity and sweetness.
All Purpose Flour: The base of the bread structure.
Baking Powder: Ensures the bread rises nicely and stays light.
Milk and Sour Cream: The dynamic duo that keeps the bread tender and moist.
Powdered Sugar: For the glaze that finishes the bread with a sweet touch.
Pinch of Salt: Balances sweetness and lifts all flavors.

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.

Variations

I love customizing this Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe depending on the season or who I’m sharing it with. It’s super forgiving, so you can get creative without fear. Here are a few swaps and add-ons I’ve tried that turned out amazing.

Gluten-Free Version: I swapped all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, and the bread still came out wonderfully soft.
Extra Crunch: Toss chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the filling for a delightful crunch I know you’ll love.
Maple Syrup Glaze: Instead of vanilla glaze, drizzle maple syrup mixed with powdered sugar for a richer, autumnal flavor.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a spice twist I discovered really elevates the warm flavors.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apple Mixture

Start by peeling and dicing two apples into small pieces. Toss them in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and drizzle 1 teaspoon of melted butter over the top. Mixing this well lets the sugar and cinnamon soak into the apples, so they become tender but still hold their shape in the bread—this is key to avoiding sogginess later on.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

In a separate small bowl, stir together ½ cup of lightly packed dark brown sugar with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. This mixture will layer beautifully on top of the bread, giving you that classic cinnamon sugar crunch I loved as a kid. It’s an easy way to amp up flavor—don’t skip it!

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand or hand mixer, cream together ½ cup of softened salted butter with ½ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, blending well and scraping down the sides. Then stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract. The creaming process is essential for a tender crumb and good rise, so take your time here.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Whisk ⅓ cup milk and ⅓ cup sour cream in a small bowl to smooth out the tangy moisture. In another bowl, sift together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 2½ teaspoons baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture on low speed, then drizzle in the milk and sour cream blend. Mix just until combined—overmixing can toughen the bread.

Step 5: Layer It Up and Bake

Grease a loaf pan well. Spoon half the batter into the pan and smooth it out. Spoon half the apple mixture over the batter, then sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar topping on that. Repeat with the remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon sugar. Baking the bread this way creates those delicious swirls and pockets of apple you’ll love. Bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden and a knife inserted comes out mostly clean.

Step 6: Glaze and Cool

While the bread cools, mix together ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth for the glaze. Once the loaf is completely cool, invert it out of the pan and drizzle the glaze over the top. This brings everything together with a subtle sweetness that really makes this bread feel special.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe

Choose Crisp Apples: I’ve found that Fuji or Honeycrisp hold their shape best without turning mushy during baking.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can make the bread tough; mix until ingredients just come together for a tender crumb.
Layer Apples and Batter Carefully: Layering half the batter and apples ensures even fruit distribution, which means every slice gets that perfect bite.
Cool Completely Before Glazing: If you glaze the bread while it’s warm, the glaze will run right off. Patience here pays off with pretty drizzles.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe

Three slices of yellow cake with a crumbly brown nut topping are arranged in a row on a white rectangular plate. Each slice shows two layers of soft, moist cake with a cinnamon brown swirl running through the middle and some chopped nuts scattered inside and on top. The cake crust is darker brown and slightly crispy. The plate sits on a white marbled surface next to a white cloth with floral patterns in green, blue, orange, and yellow. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar right on top of the glaze for sparkle and crunch. Sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar is all it needs. On chilly mornings, a pat of softened butter melted into a warm slice makes it feel extra indulgent.

Side Dishes

This bread goes beautifully with a cup of black coffee or chai tea. If it’s breakfast, I love pairing it with scrambled eggs or a yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness. For a dessert spread, fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes a lovely sidekick.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I slice the loaf into thick rounds and arrange them on a wooden board decorated with apple slices and small bowls of cinnamon butter or honey. It’s such a crowd-pleaser and looks stunning. You can also cut the bread into cubes for a cinnamon bread pudding—definitely a winter favorite in my house!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once the bread is glazed and cooled, I store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for about 4-5 days. I recommend slicing only what you need because leaving it whole helps it stay moist longer. I’ve found wrapping in plastic wrap and then foil works great too.

Freezing

This Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread freezes wonderfully. Just wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil or place it in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready, and it tastes almost as fresh as the day you baked it.

Reheating

Warm slices gently in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or pop them in a toaster oven. The glaze melts a bit, making each bite even more irresistible. Just be careful not to overheat, or the bread might dry out.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples in this Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe?

Yes! While I recommend firmer apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp because they hold their texture best during baking, you can use softer varieties like Gala or Golden Delicious if that’s what you have. Just keep in mind softer apples might break down more and make the bread a little moister.
How do I prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom?

Coating the diced apples lightly in flour before folding them into the batter can help prevent sinking. Also, the layering technique of adding apples between batter layers, like in this recipe, keeps them evenly distributed throughout the loaf.
Can I make this Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and use a dairy-free milk alternative like almond or oat milk mixed with dairy-free yogurt in place of sour cream. The texture may vary slightly, but it’ll still taste wonderful.
What’s the best way to store leftover bread?

Store leftover bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for longer freshness. For longer storage, freeze as described above.
Can I make muffins instead of a loaf with this recipe?

You can! Just divide the batter evenly into a lined muffin tin and adjust baking time to about 18-22 minutes. The apple and cinnamon layers may look slightly different, but the flavors stay fantastic.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Cinnamon Fritter Bread Recipe has become my go-to when I want that cozy, homemade treat that fills the kitchen with incredible smells and makes everyone smile. It’s easy enough for a weekday but special enough to serve guests. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as my family and I do—there’s something truly comforting about a slice of warm, cinnamon-speckled bread with apples bursting in every bite. Grab those apples and get baking soon!