🍎 with tender apples and warm cinnamon. It’s an easy everyday cake that’s wonderful Easy Apple Cinnamon Cake
This simple apple cinnamon cake is soft, moist, buttery, and filled with tender apples and warm cinnamon. It’s an easy everyday cake that’s wonderful with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
For the cake
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2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
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1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
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1½ teaspoons baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
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½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
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¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup (120 ml) milk
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½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
For the cinnamon topping
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2 tablespoons granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
1. Prepare the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or an 8-inch square baking pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper if desired.
2. Prepare the apples
Peel and core the apples, then cut them into small pieces.
Toss them with ½ teaspoon of the cinnamon and set aside.
For the best texture, use apples that are slightly tart and firm, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
3. Mix the dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
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Flour
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Baking powder
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Remaining cinnamon
Set aside.
4. Cream the butter and sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar for about 2–3 minutes, until light and creamy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla.
5. Combine the batter
Add about one-third of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
Mix gently.
Add half of the milk and mix again.
Continue alternating the dry ingredients and milk, finishing with the dry ingredients.
Don’t overmix—the batter should be just combined.
6. Add the apples
Gently fold the diced apples into the batter.
The apple pieces should be distributed throughout without breaking them apart.
7. Fill the pan
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan.
Spread the top evenly with a spatula.
8. Make the cinnamon topping
Mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
Sprinkle evenly over the top of the cake.
Drizzle the melted butter over the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
This creates a lightly crisp, sweet cinnamon topping as the cake bakes.
9. Bake
Bake for approximately 40–50 minutes, depending on your pan and oven.
The cake is ready when:
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The top is golden brown.
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A toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
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The center springs back lightly when gently touched.
If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the last 10–15 minutes.
10. Cool
Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
Run a knife around the edges, then carefully remove it from the pan.
Allow it to cool another 15–20 minutes before slicing.
🍯 Optional Simple Glaze
For an extra-special finish, whisk together:
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½ cup powdered sugar
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1–2 tablespoons milk
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¼ teaspoon vanilla
Drizzle over the cooled cake.
🍎 Tips for the Best Apple Cinnamon Cake
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Don’t overmix the batter. This keeps the cake soft and tender.
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Dice the apples fairly small so every bite has some apple.
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If your apples are very juicy, pat them dry before adding them.
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For a stronger cinnamon flavor, add another ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the batter.
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Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
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A handful of raisins makes a delicious addition.
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For an extra moist cake, replace 2 tablespoons of the milk with sour cream or Greek yogurt.
☕ Serving Ideas
Serve the cake slightly warm with:
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Vanilla ice cream
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Whipped cream
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Caramel sauce
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A dusting of powdered sugar
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A cup of coffee or tea
For the ultimate version: warm a slice for about 15 seconds, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with warm caramel sauce. 🍎🍦
