Easy Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
This easy apple fritter cake recipe starts with a yellow cake mix and is loaded with buttery, brown-sugar-coated apples. Finished with a thin powdered sugar glaze, it tastes just like a bakery apple fritter — without frying.
Servings: 16 Servings
Calories: 187kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter plus the butter needed for cake mix (see package directions), divided
- 4 ½ cups small dice unpeeled sweet-tart apples such as Cosmic Crisp or Pink Lady (about 4 medium or 1 ½ pounds apples)
- ¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons apple or pumpkin pie spice divided
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 box 13.25- to 15.25-ounce box yellow cake mix
- Water or milk and eggs needed for cake mix see package directions
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 5 teaspoons whole milk or 2% milk
Instructions
Prepare the Fritter Apples:
- Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add 4 ½ cups finely diced unpeeled sweet-tart apples, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of the apple pie spice, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt.
- Cook until the apples begin to soften and the liquid is almost evaporated, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Make the Apple Fritter cake:
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom and two long sides with a sheet of parchment paper to form a sling.
- Prepare 1 (13.25- to 15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix by mixing it with the water or milk, eggs, and unsalted butter or oil as directed on the package, along with the remaining 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice.
- Pour the batter into the baking pan and smooth out the top. Spoon the apples and any remaining liquid evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool completely, about 1 ½ hours.
Apple Fritter Cake Topping:
- Whisk ¾ cup powdered sugar and 5 teaspoons whole milk together in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle evenly over the cake. Serve immediately, or let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before serving.
- Drizzle evenly over the cake. Serve immediately, or let the glaze set for about 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Storage: Cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Leave the peel on your apples. It adds texture and saves prep time.
- Dice the apples small, so they spread evenly across the whole cake.
- Don't skip the parchment sling — it makes lifting the cake out of the pan a breeze.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding the glaze, or it will melt right off.
- For the best results, look for a yellow cake mix that calls for melted butter rather than oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg