The Fluffiest Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Bake

My grandma’s cherished cinnamon sugar apple cake recipe whispers autumn memories through every tender crumb.

Warm spices dance alongside sweet, caramelized fruit notes that beckon from the kitchen.

Soft apple pieces nestle between layers of golden, buttery cake, creating a rustic dessert perfect for cozy afternoons.

Delicate cinnamon swirls promise comfort with each delectable bite.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly, crafting a nostalgic treat that feels like a gentle hug.

Home bakers will adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together.

Slice into this heavenly cake and let pure deliciousness transport you to blissful moments.

Why Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Is A Fall Favorite Dessert

• Savor Homemade Comfort: A delightful cake that brings warm, nostalgic flavors right to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum taste.
• Create Stunning Presentation: Beautifully layered apples and cinnamon sugar create an impressive dessert that looks professionally crafted, perfect for family gatherings or casual get-togethers.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Beginner-friendly recipe that teaches essential mixing and layering skills, allowing home bakers to build confidence while creating a delicious treat.
• Versatile Dessert Delight: Adaptable cake suitable for various occasions, from afternoon tea to potluck parties, and enjoyable at different temperatures – warm or room temperature.

Everything You Need For Apple Cake With Cinnamon Sugar

• Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Apples: Fresh fruit that adds natural sweetness and moisture to the dessert.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with caramelization and moisture retention.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist and tender cake with a soft crumb.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, consistent batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds a subtle tangy brightness.

• Ground Cinnamon, Granulated Sugar: Create a sweet and aromatic cinnamon sugar coating that adds flavor and texture to the cake.

• Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cake rise and balance the overall flavor of the dessert.

How To Make Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Easily

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Zone

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F. Grab a 9-inch round cake pan and give it a generous coating of butter or cooking spray so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Prep The Apples

Wash and core your apples, then slice them into delicate, even wedges. Splash some lemon juice over the slices and dust with a bit of flour to keep them looking fresh and prevent browning.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk everything together until it looks smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Create Wet Ingredient Magic

• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Stir until the mixture looks smooth and slightly frothy.

Step 5: Combine Wet And Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix carefully to create a silky, consistent batter. Don’t overmix!

Step 6: Craft Cinnamon Sugar Topping

In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to create your magical coating.

Step 7: Layer First Batter

Pour half the cake batter into your prepared pan. Spread it evenly across the bottom.

Step 8: Add First Apple Layer

Arrange half the apple slices across the batter’s surface.

Step 9: Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar

Generously dust the apple layer with your cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring even coverage.

Step 10: Add Remaining Batter

Pour the rest of the cake batter over the apple layer.

Step 11: Top With Remaining Apples

Arrange the final layer of apple slices on top of the batter.

Step 12: Final Cinnamon Sugar Shower

Liberally sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar over the entire cake surface.

Step 13: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 14: Cool And Serve

Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature, with an optional extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top.

Tips For Moist And Flavorful Apple Cake

• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss apple slices with lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent discoloration during preparation.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold dry and wet ingredients together to maintain a light, tender cake texture and prevent tough results.
• Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Sprinkle cinnamon sugar generously between layers and on top for maximum flavor and beautiful caramelized surface.
• Check Cake Doneness: Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the center – a clean toothpick indicates the cake is fully baked.
• Serve Temperature Matters: Enjoy the cake warm or at room temperature to experience the best flavor and texture of the cinnamon-apple combination.

Fun Twists On Apple Cake With Cinnamon Sugar

• Caramel Apple Infusion: Replace half the vegetable oil with rich caramel sauce, adding deeper sweetness and complexity to the cake's flavor profile.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans between apple layers, creating textural contrast and nutty undertones.
• Spiced Autumn Remix: Add ground nutmeg and cardamom to the dry ingredients, enhancing the warm seasonal essence of the cake.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Edition: Mix softened cream cheese with a bit of sugar and vanilla, then gently swirl through the batter before adding apple layers for a tangy, rich dimension.

Great Pairings With Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake

• Pair Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop a cold, smooth vanilla ice cream alongside the warm cinnamon apple cake to create a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts perfectly together.
• Complement with Caramel Drizzle: Enhance the cake's sweetness by adding a rich, golden caramel sauce that highlights the apple and cinnamon notes, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Match with Spiced Chai Tea: Brew a hot, aromatic chai tea with its warm spices like cardamom and ginger, which beautifully echo the cinnamon and apple flavors in the cake.
• Enjoy with Whipped Cream: Top the cake with a light, fluffy dollop of freshly whipped cream to add a delicate, airy texture that balances the cake's dense and moist composition.

How To Store Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Just Right

• Store the cooled cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping it fresh and moist.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving its delicious flavor and texture.
• Keep the cake at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ideal for maintaining its soft, tender crumb.
• Cut the cake into individual portions before storing, making it easy to grab a quick slice without disturbing the entire cake.

FAQs About Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Answered

• Why do I need to toss apple slices with lemon juice and flour?

The lemon juice prevents browning and adds slight tartness, while flour helps apples maintain their shape and distribute evenly in the cake, preventing them from sinking to the bottom.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, use firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn that hold their shape during baking and provide balanced sweetness.

• What happens if I overmix the batter?

Overmixing develops gluten, which can make the cake tough and dense instead of light and tender. Mix just until ingredients are combined for the best texture.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade cinnamon sugar apple cake delivers pure autumn comfort with layers of sweet spice and tender fruit. Warm slices paired with vanilla ice cream promise delightful moments of pure baking bliss you’ll savor completely.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Apple Ingredients:

• 3 medium apples (preferably granny smith or honeycrisp)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (for coating apples)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. Wash and core the apples, then slice them into thin, uniform wedges. Toss apple slices with lemon juice and flour to prevent browning and ensure even coating.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a smooth dry ingredient base.
4. In a separate large bowl, combine granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until the wet ingredients are fully incorporated and slightly frothy.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth, consistent batter forms without overmixing.
6. In a small bowl, blend granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar coating.
7. Pour half the cake batter into the prepared pan, then layer half the apple slices across the surface.
8. Sprinkle a generous portion of cinnamon sugar over the apple layer, ensuring even coverage.
9. Add remaining cake batter, then arrange the final layer of apple slices on top.
10. Generously dust the entire cake surface with remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
11. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
12. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
13. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally garnished with a light dusting of additional cinnamon sugar.

Notes

• Select crisp, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture in the cake.
• Ensure apple slices are uniform thickness to promote even baking and prevent soggy or undercooked sections.
• Sprinkle a bit of flour on apple slices to help them suspend in the batter and prevent sinking during baking.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans between cake layers for extra crunch and nutty depth of flavor.
• Enhance moisture by brushing the warm cake with a light honey or maple syrup glaze after baking.
• Create a dairy-free alternative by replacing milk with almond or oat milk and using coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg