Oh, fall! It just *smells* different, doesn’t it? That cozy mix of cinnamon, spice, and something sweet always feels like a warm hug. And this time of year, nothing beats the aroma of apples baking. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Apple Fritter Bread with you. It’s not just a recipe; it’s like a little story in every bite – a super moist, tender loaf with that gorgeous cinnamon swirl running all through it, all topped off with a simple, sweet glaze. It’s just perfect for lazy weekend mornings, a little afternoon pick-me-up with your coffee, or honestly, any time you need a slice of autumn comfort. I poured my heart into developing this recipe, just like I do with everything here at Unfold Recipes, making sure it’s something special you can easily create too!
- Why You'll Love This Apple Fritter Bread
- Gather Your Ingredients for Apple Fritter Bread
- Step-by-Step Guide to Making Apple Fritter Bread
- Tips for Perfect Apple Fritter Bread
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Storing and Freezing Your Apple Fritter Bread
- Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Fritter Bread
- Enjoying Your Apple Fritter Bread
- Estimated Nutritional Information
- Share Your Apple Fritter Bread Creation
Why You’ll Love This Apple Fritter Bread
You’re going to adore this Apple Fritter Bread for so many reasons:
- It’s ridiculously easy to whip up, even on a busy morning.
- That cinnamon swirl makes every slice a little work of art.
- It’s the perfect way to use up those gorgeous apples from the orchard.
- The texture is just divine – so moist and tender, never dry!
- It smells absolutely heavenly while it bakes, filling your kitchen with fall vibes.
- It’s that perfect treat for brunch, an afternoon coffee break, or just because.
Gather Your Ingredients for Apple Fritter Bread
Alright, ready to get baking? You’ll want to have these goodies on hand for the best Apple Fritter Bread ever. For the bread itself, we’ve got:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour – this is our sturdy base.
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of salt – they work together to give our bread a nice lift.
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg – for that warm, cozy autumn spice mix we all love.
- 1/2 cup (that’s one stick!) of unsalted butter, softened – make sure it’s soft, not melted, for the best creaming.
- 1 cup of granulated sugar – for a lovely sweetness throughout.
- 2 big eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract – these add richness and that wonderful aroma.
- 1/2 cup of buttermilk – this is our secret for extra moisture and tenderness!
- And the star of the show: 1 1/2 cups of chopped peeled apples (that’s about 2 medium apples). Think Honeycrisp or Fuji for a great bite!
Then, for that irresistible cinnamon swirl inside, you’ll need:
- 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar – it gives a lovely caramel note.
- And 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon – for an extra punch of flavor.
And finally, for the drizzly glaze on top:
- 1 cup of powdered sugar – it needs to be sifted for smoothness.
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk – just enough to get that perfect pourable consistency.
- And 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract – to make the glaze sing!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Apple Fritter Bread
Okay, now for the fun part – actually making this gorgeous Apple Fritter Bread! It’s all about taking it step-by-step, and trust me, it’s totally doable and so worth it.
Preparing the Loaf Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (that’s 175°C). Then, grab your 9×5 inch loaf pan and give it a good grease and flour. This is super important to make sure our beautiful bread slides right out later!
Mixing the Dry and Wet Ingredients for Apple Fritter Bread
In one bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This makes sure all those dry bits are perfectly distributed. Now, in a bigger bowl, we’re going to cream together that nice softened butter and the granulated sugar. Beat them until they’re light and fluffy, like whipped clouds – that’s the secret to a tender cake! Then, one by one, beat in your eggs, followed by the vanilla extract. You’ll want to add the dry ingredients to your wet mix, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry stuff. Just mix until it’s *just* combined. Seriously, don’t go crazy mixing, or your Apple Fritter Bread might get a little tough.
Creating the Cinnamon Apple Filling
For the yummy swirl, just toss your chopped apples with the light brown sugar and the extra cinnamon in a little bowl. Give it a good stir until the apples are nicely coated!
Assembling and Baking Your Apple Fritter Bread
Now for the layering! Pour about half of your batter into that prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle all of that lovely cinnamon apple mixture evenly over the top. Then, gently pour the rest of the batter over the apples, making sure to cover them up. If you feel like getting fancy, you can take a knife or a skewer and swirl it through the batter *very* gently – just a couple of passes to create those beautiful cinnamon ribbons. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when you stick a wooden skewer or a thin knife into the center, and it comes out clean, maybe with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Let your Apple Fritter Bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before flipping it onto a wire rack to cool down completely.
Making and Applying the Glaze
While the bread is cooling off, whip up the glaze. It’s super simple! Just whisk together the powdered sugar, a couple tablespoons of milk, and the vanilla extract in a small bowl until it’s smooth and dreamy. If it seems a little too thick, just add another splash of milk. Once the bread is mostly cool, drizzle that glorious glaze all over the top. Let it set a bit, and that’s it!
Tips for Perfect Apple Fritter Bread
Want to make sure your Apple Fritter Bread turns out absolutely perfect every single time? I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that really make a difference:
- Pick the Right Apples: For the best texture, go for apples that hold their shape when baked! Think Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala. Granny Smith works too if you like a little tartness. Avoid super soft apples like McIntosh, as they can turn mushy.
- Keep Apples from Sinking: A little trick I learned is to toss your chopped apples with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture *before* adding them to the batter. It coats them and helps them stay suspended instead of all sinking to the bottom.
- Don’t Overmix! This is a big one for any quick bread. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, which can make your Apple Fritter Bread tough or dense. Just mix until you barely see streaks of flour left.
- Oven Temps Vary: Ovens can be so different, right? If your bread is browning too quickly on top but still looks gooey in the middle, just loosely tent a piece of foil over the top for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
- Moisture is Key: The combination of buttermilk and those lovely fresh apples is what really keeps this loaf super moist. Make sure you’re measuring your ingredients accurately, especially the flour and liquids!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s talk ingredients for a sec! Sometimes you might be missing something, or just curious about options. For our delicious Apple Fritter Bread, the buttermilk is really key for that tender crumb, but if you don’t have any, don’t worry! Just measure out 1/2 cup of regular milk and stir in about 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes – it’ll curdle a bit, and voilà, you’ve got a DIY buttermilk! As for the apples, I really love using something crisp like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala because they bake up beautifully without getting too mushy. But honestly, any firm apple will work wonderfully here.
Storing and Freezing Your Apple Fritter Bread
This Apple Fritter Bread is just glorious fresh out of the oven, but it’s also fantastic for a day or two after! If you’re not going to gobble it all up right away, just wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep beautifully at room temperature for about 2-3 days. Now, if you want to save it for even longer – maybe for a future coffee craving or to share with friends later – guess what? This bread freezes like a dream! Just wrap it super well in plastic wrap, then again in foil, and it’ll be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, just let it thaw out on the counter for a few hours. Easy peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Fritter Bread
Got questions about whipping up this lovely Apple Fritter Bread? I’ve got you covered! Here are a few things people often ask:
Can I use a different fruit in this bread?
That’s a great question! While apples are the star here, you could totally experiment. Maybe some peeled and diced pears or even some berries would work in this cinnamon swirl loaf. Just keep in mind that how much moisture the fruit adds might change things a bit, so maybe stick to about 1 1/2 cups of chopped fruit total.
What if I don’t have buttermilk for my Apple Fritter Bread?
No buttermilk? No problem! It’s so easy to make your own substitute. Just measure out 1/2 cup of regular milk (any kind will do!) and stir in about half a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. See how it starts to look a little curdled? That’s your homemade buttermilk, and it works just perfectly in this recipe for tender fall apple recipes!
How do I know when my Apple Fritter Bread is perfectly baked?
Besides the wonderful smell, the best way is the skewer test. Gently insert a wooden skewer or a thin knife right into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs stuck to it (that’s good!), then your Apple Fritter Bread is ready to go! If there’s wet batter on it, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
How long does this bread usually stay fresh?
This cinnamon apple loaf is best enjoyed within the first couple of days. Just keep it wrapped up tightly at room temperature, and it should stay lovely and moist for about 2 to 3 days. But remember, it freezes great too, so you can always have a slice handy!
Enjoying Your Apple Fritter Bread
Honestly, this Apple Fritter Bread is pretty amazing all on its own, but it’s even better with a warm cup of coffee or tea. It’s just perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch or a sweet little afternoon pick-me-up. Sometimes, I even add a tiny dollop of whipped cream or a even a little scoop of vanilla ice cream if I’m feeling extra special!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this delicious apple fritter bread is just an estimate, as it can totally change depending on the apples you use and the brands of ingredients. But generally, one slice is around 350 calories, with about 15g of fat, 4g of protein, and 55g of carbs. Lots of that carb count is from the natural sugars in the apples and the glaze, giving you about 45g of sugar per slice. You know, because it’s a TREAT!
Share Your Apple Fritter Bread Creation
I just can’t wait to hear what you think of this Apple Fritter Bread! Did you try it? Did you add any fun twists? Please, drop a comment below and tell me all about your baking adventure. And if you made a gorgeous loaf, I’d LOVE to see a picture – tag me on social media so I can admire your work!
PrintApple Fritter Bread
A moist and tender apple bread with a cinnamon swirl and a sweet glaze, perfect for fall mornings or a coffee break.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Total Time: 80 min
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- In a small bowl, combine the chopped apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the filling.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the apple mixture evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the apple mixture. Swirl gently with a knife or skewer.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the bread is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread.
Notes
- For best results, use firm apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala.
- This bread freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for extra crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg