Amish Apple Fritter Bread

Imagine biting into a slice of warm, cinnamon-spiced Amish Apple Fritter Bread with chunks of tender apples and a sweet glaze that crackles between your teeth. This mouthwatering quick bread captures all the delicious flavors of traditional apple fritters but in a convenient loaf form that’s perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert. Inspired by the simple, wholesome baking traditions of Amish kitchens, this Amish Apple Fritter Bread brings together brown sugar, fresh apples, and warm spices in a moist, tender loaf that will fill your home with an irresistible aroma. You’ll learn how to create this delectable treat with easy-to-follow steps that guarantee success every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Amish Apple Fritter Bread is about to become your new favorite fall baking project for so many delicious reasons. First, the incredible texture contrast between the soft, moist bread, the slightly chewy apple pieces, and the crisp, sugary top creates an amazing mouthfeel with each bite. Unlike fussy pastries, this apple fritter loaf requires no special equipment or techniques—just basic baking skills and simple pantry ingredients.

The bread itself strikes the perfect balance between cake-like sweetness and hearty quick bread substance, making it versatile enough for breakfast with coffee or an after-dinner treat. What truly sets this Amish Apple Fritter Bread apart is the double hit of apple flavor—diced apples folded into the batter plus an apple-cinnamon sugar swirl that creates beautiful ripples throughout the loaf.

Best of all, your kitchen will be filled with the comforting aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, and baked apples that signal homemade goodness in the most inviting way possible. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes an instant family tradition.

Ingredients

For the Amish Apple Fritter Bread batter:

• 1/3 cup (67g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup (133g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
• 2 medium apples (about 2 cups/240g when diced)

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 1-3 tablespoons milk or cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Choose firm, tart-sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Jonagold for this recipe—they hold their shape during baking while providing the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The brown sugar adds a rich molasses flavor that complements the apples beautifully, while cinnamon brings that classic apple fritter warmth that makes this apple fritter bread so comforting.

Pro Tips

Perfect Apple Preparation
For the best Amish Apple Fritter Bread, dice your apples into small, uniform pieces about 1/4-inch in size. This ensures they’ll cook evenly and create pockets of moist apple goodness throughout the loaf without weighing down the batter. If your apples are particularly juicy, pat them lightly with paper towels before adding to the batter to prevent excess moisture.

Layering Technique
The signature fritter-like quality of this bread comes from proper layering. Instead of simply mixing all ingredients together, create distinct layers of batter and cinnamon-sugar-apple mixture. This creates those beautiful swirls and pockets that make every slice unique. Be sure to end with batter on top for an even rise.

Glaze Consistency
The glaze should be thick enough to set but thin enough to drizzle. Start with just 1 tablespoon of milk and add more in tiny increments until you reach the perfect consistency. Apply the glaze while the bread is still slightly warm (not hot) so it partially absorbs into the top while also creating that signature fritter finish. This final touch transforms your apple fritter loaf from good to absolutely irresistible.

Instructions

Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing it thoroughly and lining with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl layer and set aside.

Step 2
Peel and core your apples, then dice them into small 1/4-inch cubes. Toss about two tablespoons of the cinnamon-sugar mixture with the diced apples and set aside. This will help flavor the apples throughout the bread.

Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until combined.

Step 4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined – overmixing will create a dense Amish Apple Fritter Bread.

Step 5
Spoon about half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle with half of the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture and half of the apple mixture. Add the remaining batter on top, then finish with the rest of the apples and cinnamon-sugar, gently pressing the apples into the top layer.

Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent with aluminum foil after about 30 minutes of baking.

Step 7
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack. While the bread is still warm (but not hot), prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to reach a pourable consistency. Drizzle generously over the top of your Amish Apple Fritter Bread, allowing it to drip down the sides.

Variations

Caramel Apple Fritter Bread
Transform your basic Amish Apple Fritter Bread into an indulgent caramel version by adding 1/4 cup of caramel sauce to the batter and replacing the standard glaze with a caramel glaze. Simply warm 1/3 cup of caramel sauce with 2 tablespoons of cream and drizzle over the cooled bread. For extra decadence, sprinkle with toasted chopped pecans while the glaze is still wet.

Gluten-Free Apple Fritter Bread
This beloved treat can easily be made gluten-free without sacrificing texture or flavor. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour that contains xanthan gum. Add 1/4 teaspoon of extra baking powder to help with rising, and consider adding 1 tablespoon of apple cider to enhance the apple flavor and ensure moisture in the gluten-free version of this apple fritter loaf.

Spiced Pear Variation
For a sophisticated twist, replace the apples with firm pears and enhance the spice profile by adding 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and cardamom to the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This variation works beautifully in fall and winter when pears are at their peak, offering a refined alternative to the classic Amish Apple Fritter Bread.

Storage and Serving

This Amish Apple Fritter Bread stays fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days, though the texture is best within the first 3 days. You can also freeze individual slices or the entire loaf (unglazed) for up to 3 months—simply wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container.

For the perfect breakfast presentation, warm a slice slightly in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) and serve with a dollop of whipped cream cheese or a drizzle of warm honey. This apple fritter bread also makes a wonderful dessert when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a light dusting of cinnamon.

For brunch gatherings, arrange thick slices on a platter alongside fresh fruit and yogurt. The beautiful swirls of cinnamon and apples make each slice visually appealing, while the comforting aroma will have everyone reaching for seconds.

FAQs

Can I use apple pie filling instead of fresh apples?
While fresh apples provide the best texture and flavor for Amish Apple Fritter Bread, you can use apple pie filling in a pinch. Drain well and chop the apple pieces smaller, then reduce the sugar in the recipe by 2-3 tablespoons to compensate for the added sweetness.

Why did my bread sink in the middle?
Sinking usually happens when the bread is underbaked or when there’s too much moisture. Ensure your apples aren’t too juicy, your measurements are accurate, and you’re testing for doneness with a toothpick in the center of the loaf.

Can I make this recipe as muffins instead of a loaf?
Absolutely! The batter works beautifully as muffins. Fill lined muffin cups 2/3 full, layer with the apple-cinnamon mixture as directed in the loaf recipe, and reduce baking time to 18-22 minutes.

How can I tell when my apple fritter bread is done?
The bread should be golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The internal temperature should read about 200°F (93°C) if you’re using a thermometer.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
You can reduce the granulated sugar by up to 1/4 cup without significantly affecting the texture. However, the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture is essential for creating that authentic fritter flavor in your Amish Apple Fritter Bread.

Conclusion

This Amish Apple Fritter Bread is comfort food at its finest — a perfect balance of tender, spiced quick bread and juicy apple pieces wrapped in a sweet glaze that captures the essence of traditional fritters in every slice. It’s the kind of dish that bridges the gap between special occasion baking and everyday treat, filling your home with the kind of warmth and aroma that creates lasting memories. Whether served for breakfast with coffee, packed as a lunchbox treat, or presented as a simple dessert, this humble loaf has a way of bringing people together around the table, exactly as Amish cooking traditions have done for generations.

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