I absolutely love this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe because it captures all the cozy flavors of a classic apple fritter—soft cinnamon-spiced apples nestled inside a tender, buttery bread. Every time I make it, my kitchen fills with the most irresistible aroma, and I find myself sneaking slice after slice before anyone else can get to it.
If you’re looking for a quick way to bring that homemade bakery feel to your mornings or afternoon coffee breaks, this recipe wins every time. Plus, it’s simple enough to whip up on a weekend but special enough to share with family and friends when you want to impress without stress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: This Apple Fritter Bread Recipe combines cinnamon, brown sugar, and tender apples for a perfect balance of sweet and spice.
- Simple Yet Impressive: It’s easier to make than you’d think, but tastes like something from a high-end bakery.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Great for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, fitting perfectly into your everyday routine or special gatherings.
- Moist and Tender Texture: The mix of sour cream and melted butter keeps the bread irresistibly soft and moist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together seamlessly to create layers of cinnamon-spiced apples and fluffy bread. Choose fresh apples and quality spices, and you’ll be just a step away from deliciousness.
- Apples: I prefer crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a nice balance of tartness and texture.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Adds a deep molasses flavor that enhances the apple filling and cinnamon sugar topping.
- Ground Cinnamon: Freshly ground works best, but pre-ground is perfectly fine and convenient.
- Butter: Use salted for the batter and melted for the apple mixture to boost richness.
- Granulated Sugar: Helps balance the flavors and provides a subtle sweetness.
- Eggs: Large eggs bring structure and moisture to the bread.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure or artificial both work – vanilla rounds out all the flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the bread, giving it that classic crumb.
- Baking Powder: Provides lift for a light texture.
- Milk and Sour Cream: This combo keeps the batter moist and tender while adding a slight tangy note.
- Powdered Sugar: For the glaze, delivering a perfect finishing sweetness.
- Pinch of Salt: Enhances all the flavors perfectly.
Variations
I like to play around with this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to customize it to fit your taste and dietary needs—it’s surprisingly forgiving!
- Adding Nuts: I often toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy contrast—you’ll love the texture variation.
- Using Different Fruit: Pears make a lovely substitute for apples, giving it a softer and sweeter bite.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap sour cream for a vegan alternative and butter for coconut oil to make it dairy-free without losing moisture.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but watch the baking time since it might bake a bit faster.
How to Make Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking. Spray a loaf pan generously with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later—trust me, this small step makes the whole process less stressful!
Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Apples
In a bowl, combine your diced apples with 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and drizzle the melted butter on top. Stir everything gently so the apples get evenly coated. This is the secret step that makes the apple flavor sing inside the bread.
Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
Mix the remaining ½ cup of dark brown sugar with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a small bowl. This will become the delicious cinnamon sugar “crumb” layered in the bread, giving it that signature fritter feel.
Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This process traps air inside the batter which helps the bread rise beautifully.
Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl between additions for an even blend. Then pour in the vanilla extract—this little touch deepens the flavor in the best way.
Step 6: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Then add this dry mixture to your creamed butter and sugar on low speed. Slowly drizzle in the milk and sour cream mixture while mixing just until everything is combined—overmixing can toughen the bread, so be gentle!
Step 7: Layer Batter, Apples, and Cinnamon Sugar
Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth it out evenly. Top with half of the cinnamon apples, then sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon sugar for a gorgeous, swirl effect.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden
Bake your apple fritter bread for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay). If it starts browning too quickly, tent it with foil to prevent burning.
Step 9: Prepare and Drizzle the Glaze
While the bread cools on a wire rack, mix together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to create a smooth glaze. Once the bread is completely cool, turn it out of the pan and drizzle the glaze generously—it adds the perfect sweet finish.
Pro Tips for Making Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
- Choose Your Apples Wisely: I’ve found firmer apples hold up best during baking and give you those perfect soft chunks with a slight bite.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mixing just until combined keeps your crumb tender and prevents toughness—this took me a few tries to master!
- Layering for Impact: Alternating batter, apple, and cinnamon sugar layers create a beautiful swirl and burst of flavor in every slice.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: I used to rush this step and end up with a glaze that melted off; waiting really helps it stay put and look gorgeous.
How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I usually just keep it simple with a drizzle of the classic glaze, but sometimes I add a little dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts on top for a festive touch. When I’m feeling indulgent, a spoonful of whipped cream or a pat of butter on a warm slice is pure heaven.
Side Dishes
Apple fritter bread pairs perfectly with a cup of strong coffee, chai tea, or even a chilled glass of milk. For brunch, I serve it alongside scrambled eggs and bacon – my family goes crazy for the sweet/savory combo!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I slice the bread into thick, bite-sized pieces, arrange them on a platter, and add fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks as decor. It makes for a charming centerpiece that invites conversation – and eating, of course!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the bread moist and fresh-tasting without drying out.
Freezing
Apple fritter bread freezes beautifully! Just slice it beforehand, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then pop them into a freezer-safe bag. I find it’s perfect for quick breakfasts and saves so much time on busy mornings.
Reheating
To reheat, I microwave slices for 20-30 seconds or warm them in a toaster oven until just heated through. Adding a little butter on top melts into the bread, enhancing the flavors and moisture immediately.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen apples for the Apple Fritter Bread Recipe?
While fresh apples offer the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen apples if that’s what you have. Just thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture from making the bread soggy.
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How do I know when the Apple Fritter Bread is done baking?
The bread is ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. If it looks done but isn’t browning enough, you can broil it briefly at the end, watching closely.
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Can I make this Apple Fritter Bread Recipe into muffins?
Absolutely! Just spoon the batter into a lined muffin tin, add the same layering of apples and cinnamon sugar, and reduce baking time to about 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
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Is there a way to make this healthier?
You can experiment with swapping half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat, reducing sugar slightly, or using applesauce instead of butter for some moisture. Just remember, these changes alter texture and flavor, so test to find your perfect balance.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Fritter Bread Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the perfect blend of comforting flavors and simplicity. Every bite takes me back to cozy mornings and happy family moments, and I hope it brings the same joy to you. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite quick bread to bake again and again!
Print
Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 65 mins
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in this moist and flavorful Apple Fritter Bread, perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack. Packed with cinnamon-spiced diced apples and swirled with a cinnamon sugar mixture, it’s finished with a smooth vanilla glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Apples
- 2 apples, peeled and cut into small dice
- 1 tbsp dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Batter
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract, pure or artificial
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ⅓ cup milk
- ⅓ cup sour cream
For the Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside while you prepare the batter.
- Prepare Cinnamon Apples: In a bowl, mix the diced apples with 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and stir until combined.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup brown sugar and the remaining 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Mix well and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
- Mix Milk and Sour Cream: In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the milk and sour cream until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Combine Batter: Add the dry ingredients into the creamed butter mixture on low speed. Slowly drizzle in the milk and sour cream mixture, mixing just until everything is combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Assemble the Bread: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth it into an even layer. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon apple mixture over the batter, followed by half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat layers with the remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon sugar.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the bread is baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Cool and Glaze: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, carefully remove the bread from the pan and drizzle the glaze evenly over the top.
Notes
- Ensure apples are diced evenly for consistent baking and flavor distribution.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt if preferred.
- For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter, milk, and sour cream alternatives.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Reheat slices briefly in the microwave or toaster oven for a warm treat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
