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There is something utterly magical about biting into a moist, tender cake bursting with warm cinnamon-spiced chunks of honeycrisp apples and finished with a shiny, sweet drizzle that perfectly balances it all. The Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe delivers that classic apple fritter donut flavor in a cozy cake form that’s just begging to be enjoyed with family and friends. It’s a delightful autumnal treat that will wrap you in comfort from the first forkful to the last crumb.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is a shining example of how simple, quality ingredients come together to create something truly special. Each component plays an essential role in bringing texture, flavor, and that inviting golden hue to the cake.
- Honeycrisp apples: Their natural sweetness and crisp texture make the apple filling simply irresistible.
- Unsalted butter: Used in both filling and batter, it adds rich flavor and tender crumb.
- Brown sugar: Gives the apples a deep caramelized sweetness that’s key to the filling.
- Ground cinnamon: Provides the warm spice that sings throughout the cake.
- Nutmeg: A subtle spice note that lifts the apple mixture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake batter and helps create a light texture.
- Eggs: Add structure and moisture to the crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its fragrant warmth.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake, offering just the right balance of softness and sturdiness.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise perfectly fluffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens flavors.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds tanginess and keeps the cake irresistibly moist.
- Milk: Lightens the batter for a tender texture.
- Powdered sugar: The base for the smooth, sweet glaze.
How to Make Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling
Start by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat and toss in the diced honeycrisp apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Allow this mixture to cook gently for 5 to 7 minutes until the apples soften and the sugar caramelizes into a luscious coating. The aroma alone will have you hooked. Then set this lovely filling aside to cool while you prepare the cake batter.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this step ensures a tender cake. Next, beat in the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding your dry ingredients with the sour cream and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, creating a smooth batter that guarantees a moist crumb.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan and spread half of the cake batter evenly into the bottom. Spoon half of the apple filling over this layer, then add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the apples. Use a knife to gently swirl the layers together to mimic that classic marbled apple fritter look, which adds a fun visual and extra bursts of apple in every bite.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place your pan in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges begin to pull away from the pan just slightly. Let it cool briefly to set everything before moving on to the finishing touch.
Step 5: Drizzle the Glaze
Mix powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk and vanilla extract until your glaze is smooth and pourable. While the cake is still warm, generously drizzle the glaze on top, letting it cascade down the sides for that perfect shine and extra sweetness that brings the whole cake together beautifully.
How to Serve Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
Garnishes
For an inviting finishing touch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the glaze while it’s still wet to add a lovely crunch that complements the soft cake. A light dusting of cinnamon or a few thin apple slices also create a pretty presentation for guests and family alike.
Side Dishes
This cake shines perfectly on its own but pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance warmth with a creamy coolness contrast. A cup of spiced chai or robust coffee also makes for a cozy companion while enjoying your Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the cake into squares for casual snacking or use cookie cutters to cut out charming shapes for a festive brunch. For a showstopper dessert, serve this cake alongside caramel sauce or drizzle extra glaze artistically on each plate to impress friends at your next gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe covered at room temperature for up to two days to maintain moisture. For longer freshness, store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days—just bring it back to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best texture.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices tightly with plastic wrap and foil, or freeze the entire cooled cake in an airtight container. It will keep well for up to three months, making it an excellent make-ahead treat or a surprise dessert ready when you are.
Reheating
To revive the warm, comforting essence of this fritter cake, reheat slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in a preheated 325°F oven for 10 minutes. This step is especially great for bringing back that fresh-baked feeling and melting the glaze slightly again.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples provide the perfect balance of sweet and tart with great texture, varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith can also work well. Just be mindful that more tart apples might require a little extra brown sugar in the filling.
Is it necessary to use sour cream or Greek yogurt in the batter?
Including sour cream or Greek yogurt adds moisture and a subtle tang that perfectly complements the sweet apple filling. If you prefer, buttermilk is a suitable swap, but simply omitting it will alter the cake’s texture and moistness.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
With a few substitutions, yes! Use plant-based butter and milk alternatives such as almond or oat milk, and replace sour cream with a dairy-free yogurt. The cake will still be deliciously moist and flavorful.
Why swirl the apple filling into the batter?
Swirling creates that signature marbled look of an apple fritter and ensures each bite has a lovely mixture of cake and apple, giving you a perfect balance of flavors and textures throughout the slice.
How long does the glaze take to set?
The glaze will firm up at room temperature within about 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, placing the cake in the refrigerator helps the glaze set more quickly while keeping its glossy finish.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the warm, welcoming hug of a freshly baked Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe to bring a little sweetness into your day. Whether for a family dessert, a cozy afternoon treat, or a special highlight at your next get-together, this cake promises to deliver comforting flavors and smiles with every slice. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your new favorite autumn indulgence!
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Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake is a delightful autumn-inspired dessert featuring tender, caramelized Honeycrisp apples layered within a moist, cinnamon-spiced cake and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting treat, this cake combines the nostalgic flavors of apple fritters in an easy-to-make baked form.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For the Cake:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons milk
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the apple filling: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the peeled, cored, and diced Honeycrisp apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and salt.
- Combine batter components: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) with milk into the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Assemble the cake layers: Spread half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Spoon half of the cooled apple filling over the batter. Repeat by spreading the remaining batter on top of the apple layer, then spoon the remaining apple filling over the batter layer. Use a knife to swirl the batter and apples gently, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the glaze: While the cake is baking or cooling slightly, whisk together powdered sugar, milk (start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed), and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and serve: Once the cake has cooled slightly but is still warm, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Best served slightly warm to enjoy the soft texture and melty glaze.
- You can double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan for a larger crowd.
- Add chopped pecans to the apple filling for an extra layer of crunch and flavor.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
