Introduction
Apple Fritter Bread is a delightful twist on the classic apple fritter donut. This quick bread features layers of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples swirled with a sweet brown sugar mixture, then finished with a light glaze. It’s moist, flavorful, and makes the perfect breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or cozy dessert. With its bakery-style taste and homey charm, this bread is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Bread
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ cup milk
For the Apple Mixture
2 cups apples, peeled and chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
For the Brown Sugar Mixture
⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp cinnamon
For the Glaze
½ cup powdered sugar
2–3 tsp milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, toss apples with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Set aside.
In another bowl, mix brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon for the swirl.
In a large bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Mix flour and baking powder together, then add to the butter mixture alternately with milk until smooth.
Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Layer half the apple mixture and half the brown sugar mixture. Swirl gently with a knife.
Repeat layers with remaining batter, apples, and brown sugar mixture. Swirl again lightly.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.
For glaze, whisk powdered sugar with milk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bread.
Description
Apple Fritter Bread is soft, moist, and bursting with warm cinnamon-apple flavor. The brown sugar swirl adds a caramel-like richness, while the glaze brings just the right amount of sweetness. Each slice tastes like a bakery-style apple fritter, but in a comforting homemade loaf form.
Tips
Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance, or mix sweet and tart varieties.
Don’t over-swirl the batter—light swirling creates pretty ribbons of flavor.
Allow bread to cool fully before glazing so it sets properly.
Store tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Variations
Nutty twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Caramel apple: Drizzle with caramel sauce instead of glaze.
Spiced version: Add nutmeg or allspice along with cinnamon.
Mini loaves/muffins: Bake in mini pans or muffin tins; reduce baking time accordingly.
Healthier option: Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour and reduce sugar slightly.
Correction
A common mistake is overmixing the batter, which can make the bread dense instead of soft. Mix just until combined. Another issue is cutting the bread while it’s still hot, which can cause it to fall apart—let it cool before slicing for neat pieces.
Enjoy
Serve Apple Fritter Bread warm with a cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy it chilled as a sweet snack. Each bite offers the perfect balance of moist cake, tender apples, and cinnamon sweetness—it’s comfort food baked into a loaf!