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This easy Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake will become an autumn favorite. Made with melted butter, brown sugar, apple butter, yogurt, and lots of cinnamon, this cake is stuffed with cinnamon and vanilla-tossed apples and frosted with a quick, salted-vanilla glaze. Enjoy the warm smells of fall while this cake bakes away. It’s the ultimate fall treat; prepare to become obsessed!
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Desserts in the fall are just better, and this cake is the perfect example. I’ve been excited to share this for weeks, but I’ve been waiting for just the right Friday in September to share it. Today’s launch of our Apple Cider candle felt perfect!
If you haven’t yet done so, be sure to order your apple cider candle! They’re already almost sold out!
When I was younger, I didn’t eat apple fritters or apple cider doughnuts. My family did, however, do a lot of apple picking in upstate New York. We’d pick up buckets and buckets of New York apples, and my dad and I would eat them all.
I remember them being so delicious. Heading to western New York in the fall to pick apples is something I miss about living in Ohio.
Every time we’d head out to the apple farms, their farm stands would be selling their sweet treats. From doughnuts to fritters to heavily glazed apple cakes. They had it all! And while we’d never pick up anything but apples, those memories inspired this cake! The best way to describe this is like an apple fritter but in cake form!
These are the details
Step 1: make the cake batter
It’s a simple batter made with melted butter, brown sugar, apple butter, yogurt, vanilla, and eggs. Then, the usuals: flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix this all up in a bowl; nothing fancy is needed.
Step 2: the apple filling
I used up Honeycrisp apples and chopped them up. Then mix the apple bites with brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla and toss them together in a bowl.
I love to leave the skin on my apples. The skin provides more flavor and fiber! If you prefer, you can remove the skin, but around here, there’s no time for that!
Step 3: the layers
Now, layer the cake batter with the apples. Start with 1/2 batter on the bottom, then one layer of apples, the remaining batter, and then add the remaining apples on top to finish.
Now bake into a sweet sheet cake. The smells from the oven will be the sweetest autumn scents, so wonderful and cozy.
Step 4: the vanilla glaze
For the glaze, mix powdered sugar with warm milk, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt.
Ice the cake while it’s still warm. This ensures the glaze melts into every inch of the cakes, seeping into all those crannies!
If you’re heading out apple picking this fall, make this easy apple fritter cake. Serve with coffee, hot cocoa, or even a steaming mug of cider. It’s a fall delight! And make sure the candles are burning. You’ll certainly have created the perfect autumn experience!
Looking for apple recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Brown Butter Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Maple Glaze
Haunted Pumpkin Patch Margarita
Cinnamon Crunch Apple Butter Soft Pretzel Knots
Salted Maple Apple Tarte Tatin with Cinnamon Pumpkin Seeds
Cinnamon Spiced Apple Fritters with Vanilla Coffee Glaze
Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake
Lastly, if you make this Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake
Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple butter, (or applesauce/pumpkin butter)
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Apples
- 2 Honeycrisp apples, chopped, (about 2 cups)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper.2. In a large bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar, apple butter, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla, until combined. Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. 3. To make the apple mix. In a bowl, combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. 4. Spread half the batter evenly into the prepared dish. Spoon over about 1/2 of the apples, then cover the apples with the remaining batter. Top with the remaining apples and any juices left in the bowl. 5. Bake for 55-60 minutes, until just set. Let cool for 10 minutes.6. Meanwhile, make the glaze. Whisk all ingredients in a bowl, adding milk as needed to thin. Drizzle the glaze over the cake. Sprinkle with sea salt. Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. enjoyI
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
So fluffy and great flavor. This cake was absolutely the right thing to make with our freshly picked apples this fall.
Hey Steph,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have a great Monday! x
This cake is outstanding and so easy to make! I live in New England and apples in the fall are a staple here. I used Gala apples from a local orchard because that is what I had on hand, but I could see any apple variety working in this recipe. I also used Heirloom Apple Butter from Blake Hill Preserves in Vermont, which definitely gave the cake an elevated flavor. It ended up taking about 70 minutes for mine to fully bake, but it was so moist and delicious. A crowd pleaser for sure!
Hey Megan,
Wonderful! Thank you so much for making this recipe and sharing what worked well for you! Love to hear it was enjoyed! xT
I made mine in two loaf pans and it turned out great!
Hey Kara,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a great weekend! xT
It came out dry for me— 9×9 and even took out 7 min early.
Hey Jen,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try! Sorry to hear it was so dry…your oven might run a little hotter than mine! Next time, I would just start checking for doneness at 45 minutes. I hope this helps! xT
Took about 70 mins in the oven. Maybe would be better in a 9×13 dish. Tastes good but is missing something, tartness or acidity. I would try this recipe again but might use Granny Smith apples instead.
Hi Kate,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! Sorry to hear you didn’t love it, let me know if you try again using the Granny Smith apples! xT
Successfully doubled the recipe and made in a 9×13. Everyone loved it and went back for seconds! So delicious! I also substituted the milk in the icing for apple cider and it turned out so good. Highly recommend.
Hi Mary,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, love to hear that it turned out well for you! Xx
Do you think there’s anyway around the sour cream/ Greek yogurt? For someone who is lactose intolerant
Hey Sarah,
I would just use a dairy free yogurt, that will work well for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Not a baker but really wanting to try this. Forgive my ignorance but what is apple butter? Any tips on how to find it?
Hey Jen,
No worries:) Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of apple sauce. You should be able to find it in most grocery stores especially this time of year. If not, I have a recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-slow-cooker-maple-apple-butter/
You could also use a thick apple sauce. I hope this helps! xT
How do you recommend storing it?
Hey Ann,
You can store in an airtight container on the counter:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Perfect fall dessert! Shared it with my Bible study group. You have a whole new audience of fans.
Hey Samantha,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xT
Do I have to use honey crisp apples or can I substitute with another type?
Hi Kelly,
You can really use any apple that you enjoy:) Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Great recipe-made it for the family and was loved by all!
Thanks so much, Jean! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you! Happy Monday! xT
My family loved the cake. Ate it warm with caramel swirl vanilla ice cream. =)
Hey Paige,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it was a winner! Have a great week:)
I made this today and it was so delicious!! My husband said it was amazing!! Thanks!
Hey Stephanie,
Yay!! Love to hear that your family enjoyed this recipe, thank you so much for making it! xT
Just took it out of the oven-holy smokes what a yummy cake! I feel like the apple butter really kicks it up a notch. Definitely will be making this often-thank you again for all your wonderful recipes!
Hey Mary,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for your kind message and trying this recipe, so glad it was a hit! xT
I was so concerned that my batter was too thick, but it turned out delicious! Thanks for another amazing recipe!
Thanks so much, Peggy! So glad you enjoyed this cake, I appreciate you giving it a try! Happy Sunday! xT