Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
Imagine your favorite apple fritter transformed into a luscious, shareable cake that oozes caramelized apples, tender crumb, and a silky glaze. That’s exactly what the Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake delivers—every bite perfectly balances sweet, spiced apples with a moist, buttery cake and a dreamy vanilla glaze. It’s the kind of dessert that makes your kitchen smell heavenly and has everyone clamoring for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for this Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake is refreshingly simple but thoughtfully curated. Each item adds something special—crisp apple flavor, cozy spices, melt-in-your-mouth texture, or that classic glossy finish. Let’s break down how each component plays its part to make this cake unforgettable.
- Honeycrisp apples: Their natural sweetness and crunch elevate the filling, giving every bite a tart, juicy pop.
- Unsalted butter: Rich and creamy, it lends tenderness to both the apple mixture and the cake base.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes to the apples, creating irresistible gooeyness.
- Ground cinnamon: A must for capturing that nostalgic apple pie vibe in the filling.
- Nutmeg: Just a pinch lends subtle warmth and complexity.
- Granulated sugar: Essential for a tender, lightly sweet cake crumb.
- Large eggs: They provide structure, moisture, and richness.
- Vanilla extract: Weaves a comforting aroma throughout the cake and glaze.
- All-purpose flour: Achieves the classic texture that holds up to all those juicy apples.
- Baking powder: Ensures your cake will rise into a light, fluffy delight.
- Salt: Balances all the flavors and sharpens the sweetness.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: The secret weapon for supreme moistness and a pleasant tang.
- Milk: Used in both the cake and the glaze for smoothness and creamy texture.
- Powdered sugar: Makes a silky smooth glaze that finishes the cake perfectly.
How to Make Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat
Set yourself up for cake success by greasing an 8×8-inch baking pan—this keeps every slice picture-perfect. Preheat your oven to 350°F so it’s ready when you are, making sure your Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake bakes up evenly with golden edges.
Step 2: Cook the Apple Filling
Melt the butter in a skillet, then toss in the diced Honeycrisp apples along with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples turn tender and their juices mix with buttery brown sugar to create a caramelized, spiced filling. Let this cool while you turn to the cake batter—it’ll make swirling easier later on.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is key for that signature cake crumb, and it’s what makes every bite of your Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake so tender.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract. You’ll notice the batter transform into a luxuriously smooth mixture that’s already smelling absolutely divine.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick mix ensures even leavening; nobody wants a lopsided cake!
Step 6: Mix Batter Together
Add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture in stages, alternating with the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and milk. Begin and end with the dry mix. This alternating method keeps your batter silky and prevents overmixing, which means moist cake every time.
Step 7: Layer and Swirl
Spread half of the cake batter in your prepared pan. Dollop half the cooled apple filling evenly over the batter. Cover with the rest of the batter and finish with the remaining apples. Take a butter knife and gently swirl through the layers, creating pretty ribbons of apple throughout without fully mixing them in.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The real scent of the Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake will fill your kitchen—in other words, dessert bliss is imminent.
Step 9: Make and Drizzle the Glaze
While your cake cools just a bit, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm cake, letting it seep into every crevice and set into a glossy, sweet finish.
How to Serve Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake
Garnishes
A warm slice is incredible on its own, but extra garnishes can take it over the top. Try a handful of toasted pecans, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, or a scoop of freshly whipped cream. For fall flair, a little drizzle of honey or caramel sauce is always welcome.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with brunch staples—think crisp bacon, roasted breakfast potatoes, or a fresh fruit salad. If you’re serving it as an after-dinner treat, a mug of spiced chai or dark roast coffee is all you need for a pure comfort dessert moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake into a showstopper by serving it in thick, rustic squares on a wooden cake stand or slicing it into bite-sized cubes for a party platter. For a fun twist, layer cubes with vanilla Greek yogurt and a little extra glaze in parfait cups for an autumn-inspired trifle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftover Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, you can refrigerate it—just gently rewarm slices before serving to restore that just-baked taste.
Freezing
This cake freezes surprisingly well! Wrap individual slices or the entire cake securely in plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Store in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature, then gently heat to enjoy.
Reheating
To recapture that “fresh from the oven” magic, microwave a slice for 10 to 15 seconds or pop it in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. If you prefer a bit more glaze, whip up a quick drizzle just before serving—it’ll feel like the Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake was baked that day.
FAQs
Can I use a different variety of apple?
Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples are loved for their perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, Granny Smith or Fuji apples will work as well. The key is to pick an apple that holds its shape during baking, so you get lovely, distinct chunks in your Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes! Simply double all the ingredients and bake the cake in a 9×13-inch pan. The bake time may increase slightly; start checking at 40 minutes and look for a golden top and a clean toothpick center.
Is the glaze necessary?
The glaze really brings the whole experience together, soaking into the warm cake and creating that signature apple fritter finish. If you need a lighter version, you can use less glaze or dust with powdered sugar instead, but the classic vanilla glaze is highly recommended!
Can I make Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. Check that baking powder and any other ingredients are gluten-free, and you’ll have a wonderful GF version to enjoy.
How do I keep the apples from sinking or making the cake soggy?
Cooking the apples first caramelizes their sugars and reduces excess liquid, which prevents sogginess in the finished cake. Give them a few minutes to cool before layering, and try not to overload any one area for even distribution in your Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake.
Final Thoughts
If you love the cozy flavors of autumn and the nostalgic delight of apple fritters, this Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake is sure to become your new go-to treat. It’s easy to assemble, full of texture and warmth, and absolutely irresistible served fresh from the oven. Give it a bake, share it with your favorite people, and watch it disappear slice by slice!
Print
Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of fall with this Glazed Honeycrisp Apple Fritter Cake. Moist, tender cake swirled with caramelized Honeycrisp apples and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze – the perfect dessert for any occasion!
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
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: Cook apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until caramelized. Set aside.
- Make the Cake: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with sour cream and milk. Layer batter and apple filling in pan.
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle over warm cake.
Notes
- Best served slightly warm.
- You can double the recipe and bake in a 9×13-inch pan.
- Add chopped pecans to the apple filling for extra crunch.
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
