Caramel Apple Fritter Bread

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Caramel Apple Fritter Bread is a cozy, bakery-style treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. It’s packed with sweet apples, layered with cinnamon sugar, and finished with a buttery caramel drizzle that melts into every slice. Whether served warm or cold, each bite offers a balance of softness, spice, and sticky-sweet caramel. It’s ideal for fall baking, holidays, or just a delicious way to use up extra apples.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the apple layer:

• Apples, peeled and diced
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon

For the bread batter:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Unsalted butter, melted

For the caramel glaze:

• Brown sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In another bowl, beat together sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
6. Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
7. Sprinkle half of the apple mixture over the batter, gently pressing into the surface.
8. Repeat with the remaining batter and apple mixture, layering them on top.
9. Lightly swirl the top apple layer into the batter using a knife.
10. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. While the bread cools slightly, make the caramel glaze: in a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in vanilla and salt.
12. Drizzle the warm caramel over the cooled bread before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields 1 loaf, about 8–10 slices.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 60 minutes
Cool and glaze time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Variations

• Nutty Apple Fritter Bread: Add chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers.
• Spiced Version: Add nutmeg and cloves to the batter for a deeper fall flavor.
• Apple-Cinnamon Swirl Muffins: Use the same batter and apple mix to make muffins instead of a loaf.
• Cream Cheese Filling: Layer sweetened cream cheese between the batter for a rich twist.
• Salted Caramel Topping: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the caramel for contrast.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.

Storage/Reheating

Store the bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days for longer freshness.
To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.
The bread can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

FAQs

What apples are best for apple fritter bread?

Firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work well.

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Yes, it’s even better the next day after the flavors have settled.

Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling is recommended for a softer texture, but you can leave the skin on if preferred.

Can I use store-bought caramel?

Yes, if you’re short on time, a thick caramel sauce works as a shortcut for the glaze.

How do I keep the bread from becoming soggy?

Make sure to measure ingredients carefully and bake until fully set in the center.

Can I use oil instead of butter?

Butter adds flavor, but a neutral oil can be used in a pinch for the batter.

Can I skip the glaze?

Yes, the bread is delicious on its own, though the caramel adds a sweet finish.

How do I prevent the apple layer from sinking?

Dice the apples small and press them lightly into the batter when layering.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.

What can I serve this with?

It pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Conclusion

Caramel Apple Fritter Bread is a warm, comforting treat that brings together all the best flavors of fall in one easy-to-make loaf. With sweet cinnamon apples, a moist buttery crumb, and a decadent caramel drizzle, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, dessert, or a midday indulgence, this bread is a delicious way to celebrate apple season.

Caramel Apple Fritter Bread

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Caramel Apple Fritter Bread is a moist, cinnamon-swirled loaf layered with tender apples and finished with a rich caramel glaze. This bakery-style quick bread is perfect for fall, offering warm spice and sweet apple flavor in every slice.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• Apple Layer:
• 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Bread Batter:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Caramel Glaze:
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, mix diced apples with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. In another bowl, mix sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
6. Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan. Layer with half of the apple mixture, pressing gently into the batter.
7. Repeat with remaining batter and apples. Swirl the top apple layer lightly into the batter with a knife.
8. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
10. While cooling, make the caramel glaze: in a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, and cream. Simmer while stirring until slightly thickened (about 3–4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
11. Drizzle the warm caramel over the cooled bread before serving.

Notes

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet-tart ones like Honeycrisp for best flavor.
• The caramel can be made ahead and stored in the fridge—reheat before drizzling.
• For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans between layers.
• Make sure the bread is completely cooled before slicing for clean cuts.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 24g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 55mg