Get ready for a kitchen filled with the warm aroma of cinnamon, apples, and pure comfort! This Amish Apple Fritter Bread is the kind of treat you whip up when you’re after something a little nostalgic but don’t want to spend hours working away. It’s packed with juicy apples, generously swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar, and finished with a lush vanilla glaze. Whether you’re craving a cozy breakfast or seeking the perfect afternoon snack, you’ll be amazed at how easy (and irresistible) this bread is to make—no fancy equipment or finicky techniques required.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Fuss-Free: From start to finish, you’re looking at just over an hour—and most of that is bake time! Minimal prep, major rewards.
- Comfort in Every Bite: Imagine the tender crumb of homemade bread studded with caramelized apples and kissed by just the right amount of spice.
- Perfect for Gifting… or Keeping! Slice it up for brunch, share with friends, or save it all for yourself (no judgment).
- Simple Ingredients: Nothing hard to find—everything you need is likely already in your pantry.
- Customizable: Personalize it with your favorite apples or spice blends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Baking Apples: For juicy apple pieces that hold their shape—think Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Empire. Avoid softer varieties that might turn mushy.
- Brown Sugar: Combines with cinnamon to create that signature apple fritter flavor, adding depth and a touch of caramel.
- Ground Cinnamon & Ginger: The bold, warming spice duo that makes this bread taste like a fall day year-round. Ginger adds a gentle zing.
- Egg: Binds the batter and keeps everything tender.
- White Granulated Sugar: Delivers just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tart apples.
- Vegetable Oil: Brings moisture and keeps the loaf extra soft. You can use canola or even melted coconut oil.
- Full-Fat Sour Cream: Intensifies richness and keeps the bread moist—don’t skip it if you can help it!
- Vanilla Extract: Boosts the aromas and rounds out all the warm spices.
- All-Purpose Flour: Your sturdy base. Keeps everything together without turning dense.
- Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise to a perfect, fluffy crumb.
- Kosher Salt: Just a pinch brings out all the other flavors.
- Powdered Sugar (for glaze): Melt-in-your-mouth sweetness on top.
- Milk (for glaze): The liquid that brings your glaze together.
- Vanilla Extract (for glaze): Because you can never have too much vanilla in a sweet bread.
Tip: Use a loaf pan size that you have on hand—even sizes like 8×4, 9×5, or 10-inch loaf pans work well. Just keep an eye on the bake time.
Variations
- Make it an Apple Cake: Instead of a loaf pan, use a 6-cup bundt pan for a beautiful presentation—just bake until it hits 200°F inside.
- Go Gluten-Free: A good one-to-one gluten-free flour blend works wonderfully here.
- Add Crunch: Toss in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture.
- Different Glazes: Try swapping in maple syrup for some of the milk in the glaze for a cozy maple twist.
- Switch up the Fruit: Pears or even peaches hold up surprisingly well if you’re out of apples.
How to Make Amish Apple Fritter Bread
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Apples
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Spray your loaf pan with nonstick spray or coat it with cake release to ensure an easy release later.
Peel and chop your baking apples. In a bowl, toss them with brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger. Set this aside—this step guarantees every apple piece will be perfectly spiced.
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a larger bowl, whisk together the egg, white sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract until nice and smooth. Don’t rush; this is where all the creaminess comes from.
Now, in a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, using a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir just until almost combined—you want it slightly streaky at this stage.
Step 3: Assemble the Loaf
Fold in about three-quarters of your apple mixture, then pour the thick batter into your prepared loaf pan. Scatter the remaining apple mixture over the top. This means every slice will have sweet apples on top and throughout.
Step 4: Bake
Slide your pan into the oven for 50 to 55 minutes. Your kitchen will smell incredible—watch for a golden top and a toothpick coming out clean or for the internal temperature to reach 200°F.
Step 5: Cool and Glaze
Let the warm loaf rest in its pan for at least 30 minutes (or longer, if you have the patience).
Meanwhile, whip up the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Drizzle it over your cooled bread and let it set briefly before slicing.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temp Ingredients: Let your egg and sour cream warm up a bit for the best, fluffiest batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir just until the flour disappears; overdoing it leads to dense bread.
- Check Doneness: An instant-read thermometer is worth its weight here. Pull it out when it hits 200°F inside.
- Slicing Tip: For picture-perfect slices, wait until bread is fully cooled before cutting.
- Double the Glaze: If you love extra sweetness, make a little more glaze and pour it over each individual slice.
How to Serve
This apple fritter bread is delicious still slightly warm or at room temperature. Pair it with a mug of coffee or spiced chai for breakfast, or serve thick slices with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an impromptu dessert. If you’re hosting brunch, set out a plate of this bread alongside scrambled eggs and sausage for sweet-and-savory bliss.
It’s also wonderful as an afternoon snack with a glass of cold milk or hot cider.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover bread tightly wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week—just be sure to warm slices briefly for the best texture.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this bread! Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the counter or quickly warm them in the microwave for breakfast on busy mornings.
Reheating
Pop a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh its just-baked softness, or briefly toast it for a delicate crunch.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely. Any baking apple that stands up well to heat—like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Empire—will work beautifully. Mix varieties for a deeper flavor!
Can I make this bread without sour cream?
Yes, you can substitute with full-fat Greek yogurt or even plain, unsweetened yogurt. The moisture and tang are essential, so try not to omit it entirely.
Why did my bread sink in the center?
This usually means it was underbaked or that the batter was overmixed. Make sure to test for doneness with a toothpick or thermometer, and stir the batter only as much as needed to combine.
How can I tell if the bread is done if I don’t have a thermometer?
Insert a skewer or toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean (maybe with a few moist crumbs but no gooey batter), your bread is ready. The top should also be golden and feel firm to the touch.
Final Thoughts
The magic of this Amish Apple Fritter Bread is in its simplicity and heartwarming flavors. If you love the taste of classic apple fritters, you’ll be delighted with every crumbly, spiced, and glazed bite of this bread. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—experiment with add-ins, try different glazes, and get your family involved. Once you smell this baking, you’ll want a loaf on hand all season long. Give it a try—you deserve a little homemade comfort today!
PrintAmish Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Amish Apple Fritter Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread infused with tender apple chunks, warm spices, and topped with a luscious vanilla glaze. Each decadent slice tastes just like a classic apple fritter, making it a perfect treat for breakfast, snacking, or dessert any time of year.
Ingredients
Apple Mixture
- 2 medium baking apples, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (heaping spoonfuls)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Batter
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat your loaf pan with nonstick spray or cake release to prevent sticking.
- Mix Apples and Spices: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Stir together until apples are evenly coated, then set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to mix until just combined; avoid overmixing for a tender crumb.
- Fold in Apple Mixture: Fold in 3/4 of the apple-cinnamon mixture into the batter, leaving the remaining 1/4 aside for topping.
- Fill Pan and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining apple mixture evenly on top. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C) and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Cool the Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, so it sets and is easier to slice.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until the glaze is smooth and pourable. If too thin, add a little more powdered sugar to reach your desired consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Generously drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf before serving. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- You can bake this recipe in a 6-cup bundt pan if desired; just bake until the internal temperature of the cake is 200°F (93°C).
- Best baking apples include Empire, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp for optimal texture and flavor.
- This recipe fits an 8×4 inch, 9×5 inch, or 10.1×5.7×3.2 inch loaf pan.
- Let the loaf cool thoroughly before slicing to let the crumbs set and make slicing easier.
- Use full-fat sour cream for maximum moisture and richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: approx. 290
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg