Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Few things capture the warmth and nostalgia of fall quite like Spiced Apple Fritter Bread. This loaf combines everything you love about apple fritters — sweet, spiced apples, buttery crumb layers, and a drizzle of glaze — baked into a soft, tender bread that fills your kitchen with the aroma of cinnamon and caramelized fruit. Every bite is moist, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and spice. I tried this recipe on a cool October morning and couldn’t believe how comforting it was — especially served warm with a cup of coffee. Whether for brunch, dessert, or gifting, this bread is a fall essential that turns simple ingredients into something magical.
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Spiced Apple Fritter Bread for Fall: A Cozy Slice of Autumn Comfort
- Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 slices)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spiced Apple Fritter Bread captures all the cozy flavors of fall — soft, moist apple bread swirled with a brown sugar-cinnamon crumble and topped with a sweet glaze. It’s like your favorite apple fritter in loaf form!
Ingredients
- For the Bread:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
- For the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl:
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- For the Glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk or cream
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in milk and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
- In a small bowl, mix diced apples with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan, then layer half of the apple mixture and sprinkle some cinnamon sugar. Repeat with remaining batter and apples. Swirl lightly with a knife.
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and drizzle with glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
- Let glaze set before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith for balanced flavor.
- Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- This bread freezes well — wrap tightly and store up to 3 months.
- Perfect with a cup of coffee or hot cider on a chilly fall morning.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Category: Dessert / Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour: The base of the bread, giving it structure and softness.
Apples: Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the perfect mix of tart and sweet. Dice them small so they blend beautifully into the batter.
Sugar: Both white sugar for sweetness and brown sugar for a hint of molasses depth.
Cinnamon: The star spice that gives this bread its warm, fall flavor.
Nutmeg: Adds subtle warmth and complements the cinnamon perfectly.
Butter: Unsalted butter, softened, provides richness and moisture.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure to the bread.
Milk: Keeps the batter tender and light — I once used almond milk, and it worked beautifully.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and gives the bread a cozy aroma.
Baking powder: Helps the bread rise to a fluffy, cake-like texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the warm spices.
Powdered sugar and milk (for glaze): Create a smooth, sweet drizzle that soaks into the loaf for extra flavor.
When I made this, I added a pinch of cardamom to the spice mix — it gave the bread an aromatic, bakery-style touch that made it feel extra special.
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, mix the diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Stir in the milk until smooth.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined — don’t overmix.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon half of the apple mixture over it, then swirl lightly with a knife. Repeat with the remaining batter and apples, finishing with a final swirl for that signature fritter look.
Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
While the bread cools slightly, make the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with a splash of milk until smooth. Drizzle over the warm loaf and let it set before slicing. The result is a moist, tender bread that tastes like your favorite apple fritter — in sliceable form.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
Serves 8–10 slices
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 55 minutes
Cooling time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Storage/reheating
Store leftover bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze slices individually for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes for that fresh-baked taste.
Variations and Customizations
Caramel Apple Fritter Bread
Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top instead of glaze for a richer dessert version.
Maple Glazed Bread
Replace the glaze with maple syrup and powdered sugar for a fall-inspired twist.
Pecan Crunch
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple mixture for crunch and nuttiness.
Double Apple Delight
Mix a bit of applesauce into the batter for extra moisture and flavor.
Chai Spice Version
Add ginger, cloves, and cardamom for a cozy chai flavor profile.
Cream Cheese Swirl
Layer sweetened cream cheese through the middle for a bakery-style treat.
Cranberry Apple Fritter Bread
Fold in dried cranberries for a tart pop of flavor.
Gluten-Free Option
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — it works beautifully with no change in flavor.
Vegan Version
Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and a flaxseed egg substitute.
Mini Loaves or Muffins
Bake in smaller pans or muffin tins for portable breakfast treats — adjust baking time to 20–25 minutes.
FAQs
What are the best apples to use?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji hold their shape and add great flavor balance.
Can I use canned apple pie filling?
Fresh apples are best, but you can use canned filling — just reduce added sugar.
How do I prevent the bread from being soggy?
Drain excess juice from the apple mixture before layering it in the batter.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, but the glaze adds that signature “fritter” sweetness — highly recommended.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely — it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
What if I don’t have nutmeg?
Simply use more cinnamon, or try allspice or pumpkin pie spice instead.
Can I turn this into muffins?
Yes, bake at the same temperature for about 20–25 minutes.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling gives a smoother texture, but unpeeled apples add a rustic look and extra fiber.
How do I know when it’s done baking?
The top should be golden brown, and a toothpick should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
What can I serve it with?
It’s perfect with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Conclusion
Spiced Apple Fritter Bread is the perfect way to embrace fall flavors — tender apples, warm spices, and a sweet glaze all baked into one cozy loaf. It’s easy to make, incredibly aromatic, and tastes like a trip to the apple orchard in every bite. Whether you’re serving it for brunch, gifting it to a friend, or enjoying a quiet slice by the fire, this bread brings pure autumn comfort to your table. Once you bake it, you’ll want to keep it on repeat all season long — it’s fall in every bite.
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