I still remember the first time I bit into a warm piece of Amish Apple Fritter Bread at a local farmers’ market. The smell alone, that incredible mix of cinnamon and baked apples, stopped me in my tracks. My three kids were tugging on my sleeves, their eyes wide.
We bought a loaf, and it was gone before we even made it back to the car. That’s the magic of this recipe. It tastes just like a classic, fried apple fritter, but it’s baked into a simple, comforting loaf.
It fills your kitchen with the most heavenly aroma, a scent that says “home” louder than any words. As a mom who believes a homemade treat is a hug in food form, I knew I had to create my own version of this Amish Apple Fritter Bread. It’s become our go-to for cozy weekends, and I’m so excited to share that feeling with you.
Why You’ll Love This Amish Apple Fritter Bread Recipe
You will adore this Amish Apple Fritter Bread for so many reasons. First, it is incredibly simple to make. You do not need any fancy equipment or baking expertise.
Secondly, it uses basic pantry staples. You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now. The result is a moist, tender bread packed with soft cinnamon-apple chunks and a sweet, crackly glaze.
It is the perfect treat for a busy morning with a cup of coffee or a sweet ending to a family dinner. This Amish Apple Fritter Bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels both special and wonderfully humble.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first simple step to creating this wonderful Amish Apple Fritter Bread. I find it easiest to measure everything out before I start. This “mise en place” makes the process so smooth.
| For the Bread: | For the Apple-Cinnamon Swirl: | For the Glaze: |
|---|---|---|
| 1/3 cup light brown sugar | 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped | 1 cup powdered sugar |
| 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon | 1/3 cup light brown sugar | 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream |
| 2/3 cup white sugar | 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon | 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract |
| 1/2 cup butter, softened | ||
| 2 large eggs | ||
| 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract | ||
| 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour | ||
| 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder | ||
| 1/2 cup milk |
Substitutions & Variations
Do not worry if you are missing an ingredient or want to mix things up. This Amish Apple Fritter Bread recipe is very forgiving. For a whole wheat version, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
The texture will be a bit denser but still delicious. If you are out of brown sugar, you can use all white sugar, though you will miss a bit of that molasses depth. Feel free to use your favorite apple variety.
Granny Smith apples add a lovely tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples bring more sweetness. For a nutty crunch, fold 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter with the apples.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s bake! Follow these simple steps for the perfect loaf of Amish Apple Fritter Bread.
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Next, prepare the apple-cinnamon swirl. In a small bowl, mix the chopped apples with 1/3 cup brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Set this aside.
- Now, make the cinnamon sugar layer. In another small bowl, combine 1/3 cup brown sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 2/3 cup white sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Top with half of the apple-cinnamon swirl mixture. Then, sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Carefully spoon the remaining batter over the top. Finally, add the rest of the apples and the remaining cinnamon-sugar.
- Use a knife to gently swirl all the layers together. Just a few figure-eight motions will do it.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes. The Amish Apple Fritter Bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
Pro Tips for Success
A few little tricks will ensure your Amish Apple Fritter Bread turns out perfectly every time. Always make sure your butter is properly softened. This helps it cream beautifully with the sugar, creating a light texture.
Do not overmix the batter once you add the flour. Overmixing develops gluten and can make the bread tough. A few lumps are just fine.
When you swirl the layers, be gentle. You want pretty ribbons, not a fully mixed batter. Finally, let the bread cool completely before you add the glaze. Otherwise, the warm bread will just absorb it.
Storage & Reheating Tips
This Amish Apple Fritter Bread stores wonderfully. Once the glaze has set, you can keep it covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil.
It will freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply thaw it overnight on the counter. To reheat a slice and make it taste fresh-from-the-oven, pop it in the toaster or a 350°F oven for a few minutes. The warmth will make the cinnamon flavors sing again.
What to Serve With This Recipe
This Amish Apple Fritter Bread is a star all on its own. However, it also pairs beautifully with other foods. For a decadent weekend brunch, serve a thick, warm slice alongside a veggie-packed omelet or crispy bacon.
A hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk is its perfect beverage partner. For a simple dessert, top a slice with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm bread and cold ice cream is absolutely divine. No matter how you serve it, this Amish Apple Fritter Bread will be the highlight of your meal.
FAQs
Can I make this Amish Apple Fritter Bread without the glaze?
Absolutely. The Amish Apple Fritter Bread is plenty sweet and flavorful even without the glaze. The glaze simply adds an extra layer of sweetness and a beautiful finished look. It is completely optional based on your preference.
What are the best apples to use for this bread?
I recommend using firmer apples that hold their shape well during baking. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala apples all work excellently in this Amish Apple Fritter Bread recipe. They provide the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Why did my bread sink in the middle?
A sunken middle usually indicates the bread needed more baking time, the oven temperature was too low, or there was too much leavening. Ensure your baking powder is fresh and use an oven thermometer to check your oven’s accuracy. Always do the toothpick test to confirm it’s fully baked.
Can I make this recipe into muffins instead?
Yes, you can easily turn this into Amish Apple Fritter Muffins! Simply divide the batter between 12 lined muffin cups. The baking time will be much shorter, around 18-22 minutes. Keep a close eye on them and test with a toothpick for doneness.
How can I tell when the bread is fully baked?
The best test is the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick or a thin skewer into the very center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few dry crumbs, your Amish Apple Fritter Bread is ready. The top should also be a lovely golden brown, and the edges will likely have started to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Amish Apple Fritter Bread
Ingredients
- For the Bread: 1/2 cup butter, softened n 2/3 cup white sugar n 2 large eggs n 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract n 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour n 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder n 1/2 cup milk n For the Apple-Cinnamon Swirl: 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped n 1/3 cup light brown sugar n 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon n For the Cinnamon Sugar Layer: 1/3 cup light brown sugar n 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon n For the Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar n 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream n 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. n Prepare apple-cinnamon swirl by mixing chopped apples with 1/3 cup brown sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Set aside. n Make cinnamon sugar layer by combining 1/3 cup brown sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in separate bowl. n In large bowl, cream together softened butter and 2/3 cup white sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). n Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. n In separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. n Add flour mixture to wet ingredients alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined. n Pour half of batter into prepared loaf pan. Top with half of apple-cinnamon swirl mixture. n Sprinkle with half of cinnamon-sugar mixture. n Spoon remaining batter over top. Add remaining apples and cinnamon-sugar. n Use knife to gently swirl layers together with figure-eight motions. n Bake for 50-60 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. n Cool in pan for 20 minutes before transferring to wire rack.