This Gluten Free Apple Fritter Cake is a giant apple fritter baked in a skillet! It's made with a moist spiced cake, tart cinnamon apples, and topped off with a glaze. This recipe is so delicious that it’s hard to believe that it’s AIP and Vegan.
Why make apple fritters?
This Gluten Free Apple Fritter Cake is so good, it’s hard to believe that it’s AIP. And when your gluten (and grain) free recipes taste this good, you make them because you can! If you’d prefer old fashion donuts to cake, try our Paleo Donuts recipe.
Should apple fritters be refrigerated?
This Gluten Free Apple Fritter Cake should be refrigerated. It’s gooey, sticky, and sweet which means that it can spoil easily so store it in the fridge. You’ll just need to heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds before you dig in.
What is the origin of apple fritters?
Apple fritters come from Europe and dates to medieval England. [source]
But the apple fritter cake, now that’s seems like a more modern invention and offshoot of the apple fritter and love child of the Jewish apple cake. We’ve further adapted the traditional apple fritter cake by making it gluten free as well as vegan and AIP.
Which apples should I use?
For this Gluten Free Apple Fritter Cake, granny smith apples are preferred but any apple will do. Granny smith apples are tart, firm and sweet. It’s the perfect apple for baking as it doesn’t turn to mush. And the tartness is a nice compliment to the sweetness of the cake.
What is the best gluten free flour to use?
For this recipe, the Beth Blends Grain Free Flour Blend is the best recipe to use. It includes tapioca flour which offers some stretch so no other binder is necessary so we can keep this recipe egg free.
What are the health benefits of apples?
There’s a reason for the saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin c and other vitamins and minerals. They may lower cholesterol and blood pressure, the fiber helps with digestion, helps support a healthy immune system, and may help keep your gut healthy. [source]
Apple Fritter FAQs
Is an apple fritter a donut?
Yes, the apple fritter is a donut. This recipe has turned that donut into a gluten free cake. Or you can think of it as one large Gluten Free Apple Fritter, if you prefer.
What is the difference between a bear claw and an apple fritter?
An apple fritter is traditionally a deep-fried donut. However, we’re baking this one as it’s a cake version. And a bear claw is a pastry which is a type of Danish.
Why is my cake undercooked in the middle but not on the sides?
There could be a few reasons for this issue. First, make sure your oven was set to the right temperature for the entire baking time. Second, make sure you let the cake cool slightly before digging it. It will continue to cook as it cools allowing the center to become perfectly cooked. This is standard for baking, especially AIP baking. It’s a good rule to follow for our Chocolate Mochi Cake, AIP ‘Chocolate’ Mug Cake, and Paleo Carrot Cake without Nuts.
Ingredients (Everything You’ll Need to Make These Fritters)
Cinnamon Apples
- Coconut Oil
- Granny Smith Apples: They need to be peeled and diced (about 2 medium apples).
- Coconut Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
Apple Fritter Cake
- Beth Blends Grain Free Flour Blend
- Salt: Make sure to use sea salt. Other salts may be saltier.
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Cloves
- Coconut Sugar
- Coconut Oil: Must be softened or melted.
- Apple Sauce: Make sure to use unsweetened apple sauce.
- Vanilla Extract
- Coconut Milk
For the Glaze (optional)
- Coconut Butter
- Coconut Milk
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup us preferred but honey is a good substitute.
- Vanilla Extract: You can use Vanilla Powder as a substitute.
How to make apple fritter cake
1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. To make the cinnamon apples, place an 8″ cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add the coconut oil. Once the coconut oil is hot, add the apple, coconut sugar and cinnamon then stir to combine. Continue to heat until the apples start to become tender, and their juices produce a syrup-like coating, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. To make the batter, in a medium bowl, add the flour, salt, spices, and sugar. Stir to combine.
4. Next add the wet ingredients. Stir to combine.
5. To assemble the cake, remove 1/4 cup of the apples taking care to include some of the syrup. Then pour the cooked apples into the bowl and fold to combine the two until they are evenly distributed. Spoon the reserved 1/2 cup of apples on top in a random placement.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
7. While the cake cools, make the icing. Combine all the icing ingredients into a small bowl and stir. If lumpy, place the bowl into a microwave for 15 seconds. Once the cake has cooled, pour the icing over the cake then serve.
Tips for making the BEST Gluten Free Apple Fritter Cake (Vegan, AIP)
- Need an oven proof 8” skillet.
- Can bake in a loaf pan or 8” cake pan.
- Granny Smith apples are preferred for this recipe. However, any apple would be good substitute.
If you enjoy gluten free baking, try these gluten free recipes.
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Whoopie Pies or Cupcakes (Paleo, AIP, Nut Free)
- 1 Minute Microwave Dairy Free Brownies (Paleo, Egg Free and AIP option)
- Paleo Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze (Nut Free, AIP, Paleo)
- Gluten Free Apple Crisp
- AIP Pumpkin Spice Bread with Streusel
If you like this recipe, make sure to comment below and let us know! Then share a picture on Instagram and Facebook.
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