Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake

Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake  - a soft cake filled with juicy apples, topped with cinnamon and sugar.  This is a real fall treat. I find fall truly inspiring, something like a break between summer and winter and the upcoming holidays.

If you love apple cakes, you might also enjoy this Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake, this classic French Apple Cake, and this delicious Apple Crumb Cake.

Fall always inspires me in the kitchen, especially when I can use my favorite spice - cinnamon. Apples and cinnamon are one of my favorite combinations, and I never get tired of the warm, cozy aroma they create.

Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake is exactly my kind of cake - simple to make, delicious, and loved by everyone in my family. That's why it often finds its way onto our menu this time of year. Actually, I make it whenever I want to fill the kitchen with that magical smell of a warm cake baking in the oven. It always makes me feel good.

Key Ingredients

• Cake flour: Creates a soft, light, and tender cake texture.
• Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and gives it a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the other flavors.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice and pairs beautifully with apples, as in these Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Cups.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Cornstarch: Helps keep the cake soft and gives it a delicate texture.
• Apple: Adds natural sweetness, moisture, and fresh fruity flavor, just like the apples in these Cinnamon Sugar Apple Muffins.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor that complements the apples and cinnamon.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness, moisture, and delicious buttery flavor.

How to make Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake?

Step 1. Prepare the Pan and Cinnamon Sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch baking pan with wax paper. In a small bowl, combine ⅓ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.

Step 2. Prepare the Apples

In a medium bowl, combine the apples, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and cornstarch. Set aside.

Step 3. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 4. Make the Batter

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla extract on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add half of the flour mixture. Beat until combined.

Step 5. Add the Butter and Apples

Add half of the melted butter, followed by the remaining flour mixture and the rest of the melted butter. Gently fold in the apples. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Step 6. Add the Cinnamon Sugar and Bake

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Expert Tips

• Use Gala or Granny Smith apples: Both work well in this cake. Gala apples add natural sweetness and become soft and tender when baked, while Granny Smith apples add a slightly tart flavor and hold their shape well. They're also great choices for my Easy Apple Crisp Bars.
• Cut the apples into similar-sized pieces: This helps them bake evenly and gives you a little apple in every bite.
• Use cake flour for a tender texture: Cake flour makes this cake light and soft. If you don't have it, you can make a simple substitute with all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
• Don't overmix the batter: Once the flour is incorporated, mix just until everything comes together. This helps keep the cake soft and tender.
• Let the eggs come to room temperature: Room-temperature eggs whip up more easily and help create a light, fluffy batter.
• Cool the cake before slicing: Give it a little time to set after baking. This makes it easier to cut and helps the apple pieces stay nicely in place.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake FAQs

What are the best apples to use for Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady are all great choices. I like using apples that hold their shape well while baking, so they become tender without turning mushy.

Can I make this apple cake without cake flour?

Yes! If you don't have cake flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead. The texture may be slightly different, but the cake will still be delicious and tender.

Why is my cinnamon sugar topping sinking into the cake?

A little sinking is completely normal and adds to the delicious cinnamon flavor. To keep more of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, sprinkle it evenly over the batter without pressing it down.

Apple season is here, so make the most of it with these delicious apple desserts! Try these Easy Apple Crisp Bars, Puff Pastry Apple Cinnamon Rings, and Apple Cheesecake Tacos for more delicious ways to enjoy fresh apples.

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Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake

by Dragana Raosavljev

Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake – a soft cake filled with juicy apples, topped with cinnamon and sugar. This is a real fall treat. I find fall truly inspiring, something like a break between summer and winter and the upcoming holidays.

4.42 from 24 votes

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Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 52 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 2 minutes mins

Course Cake

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 437

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 ½ cup cake flour
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon divided
• ▢ 1 ⅓ cup granulated sugar divided
• ▢ ½ tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ 4 cups apples peeled and chopped into cubes I used Gala
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 inch baking pan with wax paper.
• In a small dish combine 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ⅓ cup sugar. Set aside.
• Combine apples, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and cornstarch in a medium dish. Set aside.
• Combine cake flour, baking powder and salt in a medium dish. Set aside.
• In a large dish, beat eggs, the rest of sugar (1 cup) and vanilla extract, at high speed, until light and fluffy. Change the speed to Low. Add a ½ flour mixture. Beat until well combined.
• Add ½ melted butter, then the rest of cake flour mixture and finally the other half of the melted butter. Fold in the apples. Spread evenly into the baking pan.
• Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon mixture. Bake for 50-55 min or until a toothpick placed in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs on it.
• Take out of the oven and leave in the baking pan for a few minutes to cool. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Keep at a room temperature, covered with plastic foliage.

You can use parchment instead of wax paper. Instead of cake flour you can use all purpose flour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 254mgFiber: 2gSugar: 40g

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