This Spiced Apple Fritter Bread for Fall captures all the cozy flavors of classic apple fritters in a simple, moist loaf. With tender apple chunks, a warm cinnamon swirl, and a sweet vanilla glaze, it’s the perfect treat for any autumn day. This loaf is one of my favorite apple desserts to welcome the season.

My sister Jennifer once inspired a chaotic afternoon making apple fritters from scratch. This Apple Fritter Bread is our nod to that joyful, messy memory, all the cozy, warm flavor we loved, with absolutely none of the fuss.

What Makes This Apple Bread So Special?

Bakery-Style Flavor at Home: Enjoy the taste of classic apple fritters without the need for deep-frying.
Simple & Quick: This Apple Fritters Bread Recipe comes together with basic pantry staples and requires minimal prep time.
Perfect for Autumn: Loaded with fresh apples and warm spices, this loaf is the essence of fall baking.
Moist & Tender: The combination of milk and fresh apples ensures a soft, moist crumb in every slice.
Versatile Treat: Delicious for breakfast with a cup of coffee, as an afternoon snack, or as a simple dessert.

Gathering Your Ingredients

For the Bread:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Apple Layer:

2 cups apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl:

1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

A Few of My Favorite Kitchen Tools

Before we gather our ingredients, here are two simple things from my kitchen that make this recipe a breeze.

My Trusty 9×5-Inch Loaf Pan

A sturdy loaf pan is the foundation of this recipe, ensuring the bread bakes evenly to a perfect golden-brown.

My See-Through Mixing Bowls

I love using a set of clear mixing bowls to see how the batter and fillings are coming together at every stage.

Bringing Your Apple Bread to Life

First, a Warm Oven and Sweet Apples

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to easily lift the bread out later. In a medium bowl, gently toss your diced apples with the brown sugar and cinnamon. I love this step, the kitchen immediately starts to smell like fall!

Next, Creating the Creamy Foundation

In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the milk and vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined for a smooth batter.

Where Everything Comes Together

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing only until they are just combined. A gentle hand is key here to avoid a tough bread.

Building Those Cinnamon-Apple Layers

Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the apple mixture over the batter, followed by half of the cinnamon sugar swirl. Repeat the layers with the remaining batter, apples, and cinnamon sugar.

The Perfect Swirl and a Little Patience

Take a simple butter knife and gently swirl it through the layers a couple of times to create that beautiful marbled effect. Bake for 50–60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

The Sweet Finishing Touch

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before using the parchment paper to lift it onto a wire rack to cool completely. While it’s cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for the glaze. Drizzle it generously over the cooled bread and enjoy!

Moist apple fritter bread loaf with visible apple pieces and icing drizzle, the perfect fall baking apple dessert with warm cinnamon spice and bakery-style texture

A Little Note on Nutrition

Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands used. This information is for guidance and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

To Make It a Little Lighter

Reduce the Sugar: You can reduce the granulated and brown sugar by about a quarter without drastically affecting the texture. The apples provide natural sweetness!
Use Whole Wheat Flour: For added fiber, substitute half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour.
Opt for a Lighter Glaze: Instead of a powdered sugar glaze, try a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup.

My Favorite Ways to Serve This Bread

Warm with Butter: My favorite way to enjoy a slice is warmed slightly with a small pat of butter that melts right into the crumb.
A La Mode: For a truly decadent apple dessert, serve a slice with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream.
Coffee Companion: This bread is the perfect partner for your morning coffee or afternoon tea, making any break feel a little more special.

A Few Little Secrets for Perfect Bread

Don’t Overmix the Batter: After adding the flour, mix only until it’s just incorporated. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough, dense bread instead of a tender one.
Help the Apples Float: To prevent all the apple pieces from sinking to the bottom, you can lightly toss them in a tablespoon of flour before layering them in the batter.
Trust the Toothpick Test: This is a dense, moist bread, so it’s important to bake it thoroughly. If a toothpick comes out with wet batter, give the bread another 5-10 minutes, tenting the top with foil if it’s browning too quickly.

Keeping It Fresh for Later

This Apple Fritter Bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unglazed loaf for up to three months. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Let it thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving.

From My Kitchen to Yours

This recipe is more than just a sweet treat; it’s a slice of home, filled with the warmth of cinnamon and family memories. I hope this Apple Fritter Bread brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. I encourage you to bake it, share it, and create your own beautiful memories with every bite.

A Few Questions You Might Have

What are the best kinds of apples for baking?

Firm and crisp apples that hold their shape during baking are best. Tart varieties like Granny Smith provide a nice contrast to the sweetness, while sweeter apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji also work beautifully.

Could I turn this recipe into muffins instead?

Yes, this recipe adapts well to muffins. Simply divide the layered batter into a lined muffin tin and reduce the baking time to around 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

My bread came out a bit dry, what happened?

Dryness in quick breads is often caused by overbaking or using too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour correctly (spooning it into the measuring cup rather than scooping) and start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recipe suggests.

Spiced Apple Fritter Bread for Fall

Author: Sarah
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
Toss diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk, and vanilla.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together. Add to wet mixture and stir until just combined.
Spread half the batter into the loaf pan. Top with half the apples and half the cinnamon sugar swirl. Repeat layers.
Swirl a knife gently through the layers to marble. Bake 50–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool 15 minutes in pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze. Drizzle over cooled bread and enjoy.

Notes

For best results, don’t overmix the batter and use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Toss apples lightly in flour to keep them from sinking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 290
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 160mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: apple bread, apple fritter bread, fall baking, cinnamon apple loaf