The Best Apple Cinnamon Cake
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This apple cinnamon cake is moist, fluffy, and totally crave-worthy! It’s packed with tender sweet apples and warm spices, sprinkled with a crunchy cinnamon crumble, then finished off with a delicious milk and powdered sugar glaze. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, spice, and everything nice – a cozy, comforting fall treat to start or end your day with.
Life is a whole lot better when you can enjoy your favorite sweet treats anytime you want, especially during fall when there are so many amazing seasonal flavors. And while I’m a huge pumpkin spice fan, (I’m actually diffusing a pumpkin spice essential oil blend at the moment!)I also love the classic apples and cinnamon combo. There’s just something about the way these two come together and bring something to the table that always feels like a warm hug.
I recently bought a bunch of apples to make some treats, as requested by my children, because they say that I make the best apple desserts ever. I instantly thought about making an apple and cinnamon cake! This cake is made from scratch using simple ingredients and it always turns out perfectly moist with a super light crumb. The chunks of soft sweet apples folded in are heavenly! It’s like an apple fritter in cake form.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
From casual weekend brunches and potlucks to festive holiday dinners, it’s a dessert that suits all kinds of get-togethers. My kids also love this “snack cake” as an after-school treat. Enjoy it with your morning coffee or indulge in a slice for a cozy night in. Either way, your taste buds will thank you!
- Easy as can be: Prep for just 10 minutes and leave the rest to your oven. More time to relax and enjoy the festivities!
- Perfect fall flavor: The combination of fresh, seasonal apples and ground cinnamon means this cake has unbeatable fall flavors. Your kitchen will smell amazing while it’s in the oven, too – just like when you’re baking cinnamon rolls!
- Textural bliss: This cake stays deliciously moist with a tender crumb. Add the crunchy topping and smooth glaze and you’re in for a treat with the perfect balance of textures.
- Great for sharing: This cake can feed a crowd, making it ideal for family meals and for entertaining.
- Holiday-worthy: It’s easy enough to make and enjoy at home, but special enough to grace your holiday spreads, whether it’s Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Cake
If you’re planning to bake at least one fall dessert this year, it’s got to be this cinnamon apple cake. It’s light and fluffy, but also incredibly moist thanks to the sweet, juicy apples. The crunchy cinnamon swirl on top and the drizzle of a 2-ingredient sweet sugar glaze makes it even more perfect!
The amazing thing is you can make this melt-in-your-mouth dessert in 40 minutes or less. Such a short time to make an impressive, insanely delicious cake that a crowd can enjoy!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
For the cake:
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cake, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- Sugar
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents make the cake rise and create a fluffy cake texture.
- Salt
- Butter: I use unsalted butter because we will be adding salt to the batter separately.
- Milk: I use whole milk, but you can use any dairy, non-dairy, or dairy-free milk of your choice. I don’t recommend using skim or low-fat milk because it won’t help achieve the ideal texture.
- Eggs: Provide structure and moisture, binding the ingredients together.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a nice flavor to the cake and helps round out the sweetness.
- Apple: The star of this recipe! Gala is a personal favorite. Any type of apple is fine, but I recommend using firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonathan or Janagold, Cortland, or Braeburn for the best results, since they’ll hold up better while baking.
For the topping:
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon: Provides a warm, cozy flavor that pairs perfectly with apples. Freshly-ground cinnamon is best!
- Butter
For the glaze:
- Powdered sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and gives the glaze a smooth consistency.
- Milk: Thins the glaze to a pourable consistency.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Only 4 simple steps stand between you and this incredibly delicious apple and cinnamon cake! Simply mix the dry and wet ingredients, make the cinnamon topping, bake, and make the glaze to drizzle on top.
The best part? You can do this all in less than an hour – ideal for whenever you need a quick, delicious dessert to enjoy at home or to impress at parties!
Step 1: Mix the ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or pie plate.
First, mix the dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Next, whisk the butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla in a second bowl.
Add the wet ingredients into the dry bowl. Stir until just combined; do not over mix. Fold in the apples. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Step 2: Make the topping
Make the cinnamon topping by combining the sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the cake. Insert the tip of a butter knife and gently swirl it through the top layer of the batter.
The swirl action is optional but very little effort for a pretty finish inside, visible when you cut and serve the pieces.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 30 minutes until you can poke a knife in the center and it comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 4: Make the glaze
Mix the powdered sugar and milk together into a glaze. Drizzle evenly over the surface of the cake before cutting and serving.
I recommend letting the cake cool completely before glazing. Otherwise, the glaze will absorb into the cake. Even cool, it’s a light glaze that adds sweetness and shine but not a lot of contrast.
Substitutions
Another great thing about this cake is that you can use the ingredients that you love or have on hand. Here are my suggested swap outs in case you’re missing some ingredients or prefer to use alternatives:
- All-purpose flour: I like to use all-purpose flour because it makes the cake light and fluffy, but you can substitute with whole wheat if not available. You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.
- Sugar: For a richer flavor in the cake, swap the granulated sugar with brown sugar or coconut sugar in a 1:1 ratio. For the topping, substitute with brown sugar for a slightly caramelized flavor or cinnamon sugar for extra spice.
- Butter: If you don’t want to use butter, use coconut oil or any vegetable oil of your choice.
- Vanilla extract: No vanilla extract? Try vanilla bean paste or almond extract.
Variations
You’ll love this apple cinnamon cake because there’s no shortage of ways to make it uniquely yours! Whether you prefer trying new spices, experimenting with different fruits, or adding crunchy toppings, there’s a twist for every taste. Here are some of my favorite variations to inspire you:
- I love the delightful crunch that nuts add to treats, just like in pumpkin pecan waffles! Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter for a crunchy texture.
- Replace half the apples with sliced pears for a mellow, subtly sweet twist that pairs well with cinnamon.
- Spiced chai apple cake? Yes, please. Add chai spices like cardamom, ginger, and a hint of clove to bring the warm flavors of chai tea into the cake, perfect to enjoy with a dirty chai tea latte or a scoop of chai ice cream on top.
- Add a scoop of pumpkin puree and a pinch of pumpkin spice to give the cake a rich, fall-inspired flavor. My kids love this for fall breakfast, alternating with their other favorite – pumpkin pancakes with pancake mix!
- Add fresh or dried cranberries for a pop of tartness and vibrant color that complements the sweetness of the apples.
- Add a splash of spiced rum or bourbon to the batter for a subtly boozy, holiday-inspired twist. The adults will love this!
Expert Tips
- Shred the apples: Shred the apples if you’re making this cake for picky eaters who may not prefer that larger apple bite.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Mix until just combined to avoid a dense cake. Overmixing can make the cake tough due to gluten development in the flour.
- Layer apples on top: For a beautiful presentation, arrange a few thin apple slices on top of the batter before baking. This adds visual appeal and enhances the apple flavor.
- Cool before glazing: Let the cake cool completely before adding the glaze to avoid melting and to make sure that it coats evenly.
How to Store This Recipe
Place made-ahead or leftover apple cinnamon cake in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and in the freezer for up to 1 month. The texture may become denser when refrigerated or frozen.
When ready to eat, bring the refrigerated cake to room temperature or warm it in the oven at 300 F oven for 10 minutes to restore its fluffy texture. Frozen cake should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or left at room temperature for a few hours before reheating.
What to Serve with Apple Cinnamon Cake
It’s a great way to finish any meal, from stuffed chicken to Instant Pot pot roast. Serve apple cinnamon cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese frosting, or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. Enjoy a slice with your favorite fall coffee, spiced tea, or any seasonal drink.
More Fall Dessert Recipes To Try
- Slow cooker applesauce
- Pumpkin and cream cheese muffins
- Pumpkin spice frappuccino
- Pumpkin spice chai latte
If you make this apple cinnamon cake, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Apple and Cinnamon Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter melted
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup diced apple peeled
For the topping:
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
For the glaze:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or pie plate.
- Mix the dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk the butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla in a second bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients into the dry bowl. Stir until just combined; do not over mix. Fold in the apples. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- Make the cinnamon topping by combining the sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the cake. Insert the tip of a butter knife and gently swirl it through the top layer of the batter.
- Bake for 30 minutes until you can poke a knife in the center and it comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Mix the powdered sugar and milk together into a glaze. Drizzle evenly over the surface of the cake before cutting and serving.
Video
Notes
- Shred the apples if you’re making this cake for picky eaters who may not prefer that larger apple bite.
- Mix until just combined to avoid a dense cake. Overmixing can make the cake tough due to gluten development in the flour.
- For a beautiful presentation, arrange a few thin apple slices on top of the batter before baking. This adds visual appeal and enhances the apple flavor.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding the glaze to avoid melting and to make sure that it coats evenly.
