If you dream of all the cozy flavors of your favorite bakery apple fritters, but love the idea of a soft, tender homemade loaf you can slice and share, this Apple Fritter Bread is your new baking obsession. Imagine juicy cinnamon-swirled apples tucked inside a vanilla-scented batter, with a luscious glaze drizzled on top—each bite is like autumn wrapped in a hug! Whether it’s for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime treat, this quick bread is as fun to make as it is delicious.

Apple Fritter Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need any fancy supplies for Apple Fritter Bread—just a handful of classic pantry staples and a couple crisp apples. Each ingredient is essential for creating the ideal texture, gleaming swirl, and the signature sweet-spiced flavor of this bakery-style loaf.

Light brown sugar: Adds rich, caramel notes and helps create that irresistible cinnamon swirl.
Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and an unmistakable apple-fritter aroma to every layer.
Medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): Their tartness and crisp texture keep the bread balanced and moist.
Granulated sugar: Lends sweetness to the batter and ensures a tender crumb.
Unsalted butter, softened: Gives the bread a rich, melt-in-your-mouth bite and helps everything blend smoothly.
Large eggs: Provide structure so your loaf doesn’t crumble when you slice it.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and makes your kitchen smell like a dream.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for your batter—just right for holding in all those juicy apples.
Baking powder: Gives your bread a lovely lift and keeps it from feeling dense.
Whole milk: Delivers moisture and tenderness, helping everything come together in a silky batter.
Powdered sugar (for glaze): The main event in your sweet, glossy topping.
Milk (for glaze): Brings the glaze to the perfect drizzle-able consistency.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): A dash here makes even the glaze crave-worthy!

How to Make Apple Fritter Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×5-inch loaf pan and either grease it or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later. Getting your pan ready before you mix the batter makes everything smoother and ensures your Apple Fritter Bread comes out without a hitch.

Step 2: Mix the Cinnamon Swirl and Apples

In a small bowl, mix together your light brown sugar and ground cinnamon—this is the magic swirl that separates basic apple bread from real Apple Fritter Bread! Set aside a spoonful of this mixture, then toss your peeled, diced apples with the reserved cinnamon sugar in another bowl. The apples get coated in flavor, so every slice is packed with sweet, spicy bits.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the granulated sugar and softened butter until the mixture looks pale, fluffy, and a bit like frosting. This step helps incorporate air for a lighter crumb, ensuring your Apple Fritter Bread will be plush and bakery-worthy.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until evenly combined. (Trust me, don’t skip the vanilla—it really brings out the bakery vibes.)

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. This gives even lift and ensures no pockets of bitter baking powder remain in your lovely loaf.

Step 6: Mix the Batter

Add the flour mixture to your wet mixture alternately with the milk—start and end with the flour. This gentle back-and-forth prevents overmixing and keeps your Apple Fritter Bread super tender. Once you’ve folded everything together, stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears.

Step 7: Layer and Swirl

Pour half the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle on half of the apple mixture and then half of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Add the remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon sugar on top. Now for the fun part: use a knife to gently swirl the top layer into gorgeous ribbons. Don’t overdo it—you want swirls, not muddy chaos!

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes (it sets up as it rests), then transfer carefully to a wire rack to cool completely and get ready for glazing.

Step 9: Glaze Generously

Once the bread is completely cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1–2 teaspoons milk, and vanilla extract for the glaze. It should be just runny enough to drizzle but thick enough to set beautifully. Drizzle generously over the loaf, let it set, then marvel at your bakery-level Apple Fritter Bread.

How to Serve Apple Fritter Bread

Garnishes

While this loaf already looks spectacular with its cinnamon swirls and glossy glaze, you can jazz it up further with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, a handful of chopped toasted nuts, or even thin slices of fresh apple fanned atop each piece for a finishing touch.

Side Dishes

Apple Fritter Bread pairs especially well with a creamy yogurt parfait for breakfast, or alongside a mug of hot coffee, chai tea, or mulled cider. For dessert, serve a toasted slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream—it hits all the cozy notes!

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday brunch, cut your loaf into cubes and arrange them on a platter for a pull-apart treat. Or slice thickly, toast gently, and slather with cinnamon-honey butter for a café-style twist. You can also wrap mini loaves in parchment and twine for a rustic, heartwarming gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow have leftovers, simply wrap your Apple Fritter Bread tightly in foil or plastic wrap. It will keep beautifully at room temperature for up to 2 days, or pop it in the fridge for up to 5 days—just be sure to warm a slice before enjoying for that fresh-baked vibe.

Freezing

Apple Fritter Bread freezes like a dream! Once fully cooled and glazed, wrap it in a double layer of plastic wrap and then foil, or use a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, slice before freezing and pop slices in the toaster or let thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To refresh that out-of-the-oven magic, warm a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or toast lightly in a toaster oven. This wakes up the vanilla-cinnamon aroma and turns the glaze into a gooey, decadent topping all over again.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Dessert

Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are favorites for their tartness and texture, Fuji, Braeburn, or Gala apples work well too. Just aim for apples that are firm and not too mealy for the best results.

Is it possible to make Apple Fritter Bread gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour with a quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Just be sure your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar stabilizer for the best texture and lift.

Why does my loaf sink in the middle?

A common cause is underbaking or using too much liquid. Always check for doneness with a toothpick, and measure your ingredients carefully. Letting it cool in the pan for a bit helps the structure set and minimizes sinking.

Can I turn this recipe into muffins?

Absolutely! Simply divide the batter and apple layers among a greased or lined muffin tin and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20–25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy adorable single-serve Apple Fritter Bread muffins!

Do I have to add the glaze on top?

Nope—the glaze is totally optional! The bread is moist and flavorful on its own, but a drizzle of glaze makes it extra special. If you prefer less sweetness, you can skip it or dust with a little powdered sugar instead.

Final Thoughts

If you crave something comforting and a little bit special, treat yourself (and your loved ones) to homemade Apple Fritter Bread. It’s the kind of bake that makes your kitchen feel cozy and your heart a little lighter. Go ahead—grab those apples and get baking!

Apple Fritter Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delicious flavors of fall with this Apple Fritter Bread. Moist and flavorful, this bread is packed with diced apples and a sweet cinnamon swirl, topped with a vanilla glaze for the perfect finishing touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread:

1/3 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium apples, peeled and diced
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup whole milk

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1–2 teaspoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
Prepare apples: Toss the diced apples with a spoonful of the cinnamon mixture in another bowl.
Cream sugar and butter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
Layer batter and apples: Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan. Layer half of the apple mixture and cinnamon sugar over the batter. Repeat with remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon sugar. Swirl the top with a knife.
Bake: Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and glaze: Cool the bread in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over the cooled bread.

Notes

For added texture, stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
This bread keeps well covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Best served slightly warm or toasted.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American