Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread

There are recipes that comfort you, recipes that impress, and then there are recipes that feel like a warm hug baked into every bite. This Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread is exactly that. Sweet apples tucked into a tender loaf, swirled with cinnamon-sugar, and finished with a delicate glaze—it’s the kind of bake that makes your kitchen smell like love. 💛

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Why You’ll Love This Apple Fritter Bread

I promised you versatile, and here’s proof! This loaf is everything you’d want in a cross between apple fritters and a cinnamon-sugar coffee cake.

✨ Reasons to fall in love:

The swirl of cinnamon sugar turns into caramelized ribbons inside the bread.
The chunks of tart apple keep the loaf moist and flavorful.
It works just as well for breakfast with coffee as it does for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients!

Taste in one word? Comforting. The apple brings freshness, the cinnamon-sugar gives warmth, and that drizzle of glaze makes it feel bakery-special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Filling/Topping

½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg (optional, but so cozy!)

Cake Batter

½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, melted & cooled
½ cup sour cream, at room temp
2 large eggs, at room temp
2 tablespoons milk, at room temp
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled & chopped into ½-inch cubes

Glaze

⅓ cup icing sugar, sifted
1–2 teaspoons hot water

Tools You’ll Need

9x5 loaf pan
Parchment paper
Mixing bowls (one large, one medium, one small)
Whisk & spatula
Butter knife (for swirling the cinnamon sugar)

Ingredient Swaps & Additions

Apples: Granny Smith gives a nice tartness, but Honeycrisp or Fuji will add extra sweetness.
Sour cream: Swap with plain Greek yogurt.
Add-ins: A handful of chopped pecans or walnuts makes it extra cozy!
Glaze twist: Try adding a drop of vanilla or maple extract to the glaze.