Easy Apple Fritter Bread
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Apple Fritter Bread is a decadent treat packed with layers of sweet, cinnamon-spiced apples in a soft and moist quick bread. Drizzled with vanilla glaze, it’s reminiscent of a favorite donut-shop fritter. Perfect for morning coffee or tea.
Love apple baking? Try our German apple strudel muffins or these Apple Cinnamon Rolls!
Recipe Overview
- Flavor: Cinnamon-spiced apple layers, streusel topping, glazed in vanilla sweetness
- Texture: Soft crumb with moist apple pockets and a crisp streusel finish
- Time: ~20 minutes prep, 45-55 minutes baking, plus cooling
- Perfect For: Weekend brunch, coffee breaks, school snacks, or hostess gifts
- Stays Well: Wrap and store at room temperature for up to 4 days; freezer-friendly
Why I Love This Bread
Much like our always popular Maple Apple Banana Bread, this bread is made with fresh apples and plenty of warm, delicious spices. But this quick bread is made by layering apples into the bread and topping it with a delicious cinnamon streusel. It’s also:
- Decadently easy: All the flavor of a donut-shop fritter-layers of apples, streusel, and glaze-with zero frying.
- Moistness guaranteed: Sour cream and fresh apples keep every slice tender and flavorful.
- Seasonal warmth: Cinnamon-kissed apples evoke a cozy, autumnal feel-or bring the bake-shop joy year-round.
See our collection of apple dessert recipes for more inspiring ideas!
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Key Ingredients
- Butter & Sugars: Creaming butter with granulated sugar creates a tender base, while adding brown sugar to the streusel adds caramel depth.
- Eggs, Sour Cream & Vanilla: These ingredients add richness, moisture, and flavor-Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute.
- Flour + Leaveners: Baking powder and baking soda help the loaf stay tender yet well-risen.
- Milk: Adds just the right touch of moisture for soft batter.
- Apples (Layered): Small diced, spiced, and layered for delightful pockets of warm apple goodness.
- Streusel: Cinnamon + brown sugar-classic flavor and crunch on top, much like our blueberry muffin bread or Panera Pumpkin Muffins.
- Vanilla Glaze: A Simple mix of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla brings the finishing drizzle.
How to Make Apple Fritter Bread
Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F and greasing an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan.
- Make Streusel: Stir together brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
- Spice the Apples: Toss diced apples with granulated sugar + cinnamon; set aside.
- Cream Base: Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla just until blended.
- Add Dry & Wet: Fold in flour, leaveners, milk-stir until smooth.
Layering & Baking the Bread
- Step 1: Pour half of the batter into the bottom of the pan, then top with half of the apple layer.
- Step 2: Top the apple layer with the remaining batter and the remaining spiced apples. Then sprinkle the streusel over the top and gently press down to adhere the streusel to the apple layer.
- Step 3: Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Tent with foil for the last 10 minutes if browning too quickly.
- Step 4: Let it cool in the pan for 30 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Before serving, mix the glaze and drizzle it over the top.
Baking Tips
- Use crisp-firm apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala-they retain shape and give pleasing texture.
- Do not overmix once leaveners are added-tender crumb depends on it.
- Foil tenting helps avoid overly dark tops before the center bakes through.
- Glazing tip: If the glaze hardens too fast, add an extra splash of milk to drizzle smoothly.
Serving Ideas
- Serve a warm slice with a cup of coffee or chai for instant comfort.
- Plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.
- Wrap cooled slices for bake-sale boxes or lunchbox surprises.
How to Store the Apple Fritter Bread
Store the bread at room temperature, wrapped securely, or in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze for longer storage.
Recipe FAQs
Yes-pears or peaches (in season) make lovely variations; just pat dry first to avoid soggy batter.
Sure! Fill muffin liners halfway, layer apple and streusel, bake at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes.
Store wrapped at room temperature for 4 days, or freeze wrapped slices for longer storage.
More Apple Recipes You May Also Enjoy
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Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Bread
- 1/2 cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
Streusel
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Apple Filling
- 1 large apple peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Vanilla Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or as needed for consistency
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease an 8.5×4.5×2.5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make the Streusel: In a small mixing bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
- Prep the Apples: Peel and chop the apple into small pieces – about 1/4-inch. In a small bowl, toss with cinnamon and sugar; set aside.
- Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until just combined. Fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined, then stir in the milk until smooth.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread out evenly. Be sure to spread the batter into the corners of the loaf pan too. Add 1/2 of the apple filling to the top of the batter in the pan. Spoon the remaining batter over the apples, smoothing and spreading until the apples are covered.
- Top with remaining chopped apples and evenly sprinkle the streusel over the top.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the top is slightly domed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. During the last 10 minutes of baking, loosely tent a sheet of foil over the top to prevent over-browning. Cool in the loaf pan for at least 30 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool completely.
Glaze
- Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth, adding additional milk if necessary to reach the desired consistency. Drizzle over the cooled bread before slicing and serving.
Video
Notes
- Apples: Use crisp-firm apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala) diced small so they hold shape and give juicy pockets of apple.
- Spice Mix: Toss apples with sugar + cinnamon before layering-this keeps the spice even and prevents bland apple pockets.
- Streusel: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon until sandy; lightly press the streusel on top so it adheres but doesn't compact.
- Butter & Creaming: Cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes); this aerates the batter, resulting in a tender crumb.
- Sour Cream Swap: Greek yogurt (full-fat) can replace sour cream 1:1 with similar moisture and tang.
- Pan Size: An 8.5×4.5-inch loaf pan gives the best height. If using a 9×5, start checking doneness a few minutes earlier.
- Storage: Wrap and store at room temperature up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze slices (well-wrapped) up to 2 months; thaw at room temp.
- Muffin Option: Fill liners halfway, layer apples and a pinch of streusel, then top lightly with batter. Bake at 375°F for ~20-25 minutes.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.