Apple Fritter Focaccia Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of biting into a warm, tender bread that tastes just like your favorite apple fritters, then you’re in for a treat with this Apple Fritter Focaccia. This delightful fusion blends the soft, airy texture of focaccia bread with the sweet, cinnamon-spiced goodness of apple fritters, all glazed with a luscious sugary topping. It’s the perfect recipe to enjoy any time you want to impress friends or simply indulge in a cozy, comforting snack that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Apple Fritter Focaccia lies not only in its incredible flavor but also in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each element plays a vital role, combining to create a unique balance of sweetness, softness, and spice that makes this focaccia truly special.

• Bread flour (4 cups): Provides the perfect structure and chewiness for that classic focaccia texture.
• Lukewarm water (1 3/4 cup, about 105F): Activates the yeast gently for a perfect rise without killing it.
• Instant yeast (2 teaspoons): Ensures a reliable and quick rise for your dough.
• Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon + 2 tablespoons for baking): Adds moisture and keeps the focaccia tender while preventing sticking.
• Honey or white sugar (1 teaspoon): Feeds the yeast and subtly sweetens the dough.
• Fine table salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Balances flavors and enhances the overall taste.
• Medium tart apples (2, peeled, cored, and diced): The star ingredient offering freshness, slight tartness, and texture.
• White granulated sugar (1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon): Sweetens the apples and the glaze beautifully.
• Lemon juice (2 teaspoons): Prevents apples from browning and adds a refreshing zing.
• Ground cinnamon (4 teaspoons): Infuses that iconic apple fritter warmth and aroma.
• All-purpose flour (1 tablespoon): Helps thicken the apple mixture so it stays perfectly nestled in the dough.
• Icing/confectioners’ sugar (2 cups): Forms the sweet, silky glaze on top.
• Light corn syrup (1/2 teaspoon): Adds smoothness to the glaze and helps it set nicely.
• Vanilla extract (1/4 teaspoon): Provides a subtle fragrant sweetness to the finish.
• Water (1/3 cup): Used to create the sugary syrup base for the glaze.

How to Make Apple Fritter Focaccia

Step 1: Mix and Rest the Dough

Start by combining lukewarm water, instant yeast, vegetable oil, honey, and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer. Stir in the bread flour until the dough comes together. This mixture needs to rest covered for 15 minutes to start fermenting, which helps develop flavor and gluten structure. After this, perform a gentle stretch and fold — this step strengthens the dough and encourages air pockets, leading to a light, chewy focaccia. Give it another 15 minutes rest and stretch and fold again before rising covered for an hour.

Step 2: Prepare the Pan and First Dough Rise

Grease the bottom of a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with vegetable oil using a brush. Transfer your dough into the pan, stretching and folding it over itself to shape a rough rectangle but don’t try to fill the pan fully — it will bloom beautifully as it rises. Cover the pan with a baking sheet or plastic wrap and let the dough rise for about an hour and a half. This slow rise will develop that signature focaccia texture and flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Cinnamon Apples

While the dough is rising, toss the diced apples with sugar and lemon juice in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until the apples soften and their juices evaporate, about five minutes. Mix the cinnamon and flour in a small bowl, then stir this in to coat the apples evenly. This step ensures the apples have a perfect spiced coating that holds together during baking and melds beautifully with the bread.

Step 4: Final Proof and Preparing to Bake

Preheat your oven to 425F (non-convection) while the dough finishes its second proof. Scatter the cinnamon apples evenly over the dough’s surface and use oiled fingertips to dimple the dough all over, gently pushing the apples into the top so they nestle in lovely pockets. Drizzle a little more vegetable oil over the surface to help the focaccia brown evenly and develop a wonderful crust.

Step 5: Bake the Focaccia

Bake your Apple Fritter Focaccia in the preheated oven for 19-23 minutes, or until it turns a deep golden shade that makes your kitchen smell like a bakery. This step is crucial to achieve the perfect balance of soft interior and crispy, flavorful exterior—just like a dream apple fritter but in bread form.

Step 6: Make the Fritter Glaze

While the focaccia bakes, combine the icing sugar, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, bring water and white sugar to a boil and then simmer for one minute. Pour the hot syrup mixture into the icing sugar bowl and whisk until smooth and lump-free. This glaze mimics the sugary coating on apple fritters, adding an irresistible shine and sweet finish.

Step 7: Glaze and Cool the Apple Fritter Focaccia

Take the focaccia out of the oven, allow it to rest for five minutes, and then spoon the glaze over the top. Spread it gently with the back of a spoon to cover the entire surface. Let it cool a bit longer so the glaze can set into its signature glossy sheet. Once ready, cut into squares and watch how every bite melts with all the sweet, spiced, yeasty goodness combined in this Apple Fritter Focaccia.

How to Serve Apple Fritter Focaccia

Garnishes

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the glaze just before serving can wonderfully enhance the flavors by adding a slight contrast to the sweet glaze and apples. For an extra touch of indulgence, a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream complements this Apple Fritter Focaccia beautifully.

Side Dishes

This focaccia pairs delightfully with a warm cup of chai tea or a freshly brewed coffee for a cozy breakfast or afternoon treat. For a heartier brunch, serve alongside soft scrambled eggs or a creamy yogurt parfait to balance the sweetness with some protein and freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, try cutting this Apple Fritter Focaccia into smaller bite-sized pieces and serving it as part of a dessert platter with apple butter, nut butters, or a sharp cheddar cheese. It also makes a fantastic base for a sweet breakfast sandwich topped with mascarpone and additional warm cinnamon apples.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Apple Fritter Focaccia keeps wonderfully at room temperature when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. It’s best enjoyed within 2 days for maximum freshness but can still be tasty for up to 4 days.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, wrap the cooled focaccia tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature overnight whenever you’re ready for a delicious treat.

Reheating

To warm up your Apple Fritter Focaccia, place slices on a baking sheet and heat in a 350F oven for about 8-10 minutes until warm and slightly crisp again. You can also microwave briefly, but oven reheating gives the best texture.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Absolutely! Use the same amount but dissolve it in the lukewarm water with the honey first and let it proof for about 5-10 minutes until bubbly before adding the flour.

What type of apples are best for this recipe?

Tart apples like Granny Smith work best because they hold their shape during cooking and provide that delightful tangy contrast to the sweet cinnamon glaze.

Is it necessary to dimple the dough before baking?

Yes, dimpling the dough traps little pockets of air and oil, creating that iconic focaccia texture while also pushing the apples gently into the bread for even distribution.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

You sure can! After the first rise and stretch & fold, cover your dough tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and continuing with the recipe.

How thick should I stretch the dough in the pan?

Don’t overstretch! The dough should roughly fill half to two-thirds of the pan before the final rise — it will naturally bloom to fill the pan during proofing and baking.

Final Thoughts

There’s something irresistibly cozy about this Apple Fritter Focaccia, combining the softness of focaccia bread with all the sweet, spiced flavors we adore in apple fritters. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, sharing it with loved ones, and savoring every bite. It’s a fresh way to enjoy classic flavors with an easy-to-love twist, and I can’t wait for you to try it!

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