“My grandma used to make this recipe all the time but I haven’t had it in years!!”

This Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread captures all the cozy, spiced flavors of apple fritters in an easy-to-make loaf cake. Moist, tender bread is swirled with a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture and tender apple pieces, then finished with a simple glaze for a perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert.
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Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread
Ingredients
Filling/Topping
Cake
Glaze
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal, and set aside.
- Make Filling/Topping: In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of ground nutmeg (if using). Mix well to combine and set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients for Cake: In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, melted and cooled unsalted butter, room temperature sour cream, room temperature eggs, room temperature milk, and vanilla extract. Mix by hand or use an electric mixer until all ingredients are combined and smooth. Set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients for Cake: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk or mix well to combine.
- Combine Wet & Dry for Cake: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Prepare Apple: Peel, core, and chop the Granny Smith apple into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Fold in Apples: Add all but a handful of the chopped apples to the cake batter and gently fold them in. Reserve the handful of apples for the top layer.
- Layer Batter & Swirl (First Layer): Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan and use a spatula to smooth it out into a single, even layer. Next, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar filling evenly over this batter layer. Using a flat butter knife, gently cut swirls through the batter to create a marbled effect (don’t overmix, just a few swirls).
- Layer Batter & Swirl (Second Layer): Top with the remaining batter and smooth it out again into a single layer. Add the handful of reserved apple pieces over this layer. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the apples and batter. Again, use the butter knife to cut swirls through this top layer.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean.
- Cool Cake: Let the baked loaf cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-20 minutes.
- Make Glaze: Meanwhile, make your glaze. In a small bowl, add the sifted icing sugar. Whisk in 1–2 teaspoons of hot water until you reach the desired consistency (start with 1 teaspoon and add more slowly if needed for a thinner glaze).
- Glaze & Set: Spoon or drizzle the glaze over the top of the warm (but not hot) loaf. Let the glaze set for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.