There are actually quite a few differences between a bear claw and an apple fritter. Apple fritters have a very different taste and texture than a bear claw. They have a dough mixed with apples and cinnamon and then deep fried. Bear Claws have a very distinct shape and are usually oven baked. They have a light flakier crust, because of the laminated dough, and usually consist of an almond paste, almonds and sometimes raisins. The only time I could see someone getting confused between the two is sometimes a bear claw can get filled with an apple filling.