Golden Harvest: Irresistibly Moist Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Sweet aromas of baked cinnamon sugar apple cake waft through kitchens, promising comfort and warmth.

Ripe autumn apples create delectable layers of flavor in this irresistible dessert.

Soft, tender crumbs infused with fragrant spices make every bite a delightful experience.

The delicate balance of sweetness and warmth turns simple ingredients into a magical treat.

Each slice promises a perfect harmony of fruity and spicy notes that dance across your palate.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet elegant recipe with ease.

You’ll fall in love with this cake’s incredible depth of flavor and effortless preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 322 kcal

Servings: 8

All the Ingredients for a Cinnamon-Kissed Apple Bake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cake together, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Soda: Creates lift and helps the cake rise, ensure it's fresh for maximum rising power.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine table salt for even distribution.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic flavor that complements the apples, choose freshly ground for intense taste.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture, melt carefully to avoid burning.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and moisture, opt for dark brown sugar for more intense flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, use room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor complexity, choose pure vanilla for best results.
• Sour Cream: Creates tender crumb and adds tangy richness, full-fat version works best.

• Chopped Apples: Adds natural sweetness and texture, use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Granulated Sugar: Creates crispy, sweet topping, sprinkle evenly for consistent crunch.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm spice for topping, freshly ground gives most vibrant flavor.

Tools That Make This Cake a Total Win

• 9-inch square baking pan: Perfect for creating a deliciously even cake.
• Parchment paper: Optional but helpful for easy cake removal.
• Medium bowl: For mixing dry ingredients smoothly.
• Large bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients and creating cake batter.
• Whisk: Great for blending ingredients without lumps.
• Toothpick: Crucial for checking cake doneness.
• Small bowl: Needed for preparing the cinnamon sugar topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure baking success.

A Cozy Bake That Fills Your Kitchen with Fall Vibes

• Fire Up The Oven

Warm your kitchen to a cozy 350 degrees and get your 9-inch baking pan ready with a quick spray or parchment paper lining.

• Craft The Dry Mixture

Blend flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl, whisking until perfectly combined.

• Create The Wet Foundation

In a separate bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar until silky smooth. Crack in the egg, splash some vanilla, and dollop sour cream, stirring until everything mingles happily.

• Marry The Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring just until they become friends – no overmixing allowed!

• Welcome The Apples

Softly fold chopped apples into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.

• Prepare For Baking

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a gentle touch.

• Add The Magical Topping

Sprinkle your cinnamon sugar mixture across the top, creating a sparkling sweet layer.

• Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Your cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean, revealing a tender, aromatic treat.

Ways to Customize the Sweetness and Texture

• Add an extra apple or two for more fruity moisture if the batter seems dry.
• Prepare the cake up to two days in advance and store at room temperature in an airtight container to enhance flavor development.
• Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make the cake accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Replace sour cream with coconut yogurt or almond milk yogurt for a lactose-free version that maintains the cake's rich texture.
• Experiment with nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon to create a more complex and warming flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.

Serve It Warm, Chilled, or Topped with Something Extra

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Serve this warm cake alongside a steaming mug of fresh coffee for a delightful morning treat that enhances the cinnamon and apple flavors.
• Elegant Dessert Plate: Dust the cake with powdered sugar and add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to create an elegant and indulgent dessert presentation.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Slice the cake into neat squares and arrange on a beautiful platter for a stunning brunch centerpiece that will impress family and friends with its rustic charm and amazing aroma.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Cut into smaller bite-sized pieces and pair with a selection of herbal teas, making it perfect for a relaxed afternoon gathering or casual social event.

How to Keep That Apple Goodness for Days

• Cut the cake into individual portions and wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap for easy grab-and-go snacks throughout the week. This method keeps the cake moist and prevents drying out.
• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving to restore its soft, delightful texture and enhance the cinnamon-apple flavor profile.
• Wrap the entire cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm slightly in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven experience.
• Prepare the cake batter a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before popping into the oven. This trick helps maintain the cake's light and fluffy consistency.

Moist Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Sweet aromas of homemade cinnamon sugar apple cake fill kitchens with warmth and nostalgia, promising comfort in every delectable slice. Seasonal apples dance with delicate spices, creating a rustic dessert that welcomes friends and family around the table.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1.5 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
• 0.75 cup (150 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 0.5 cup (1 stick or 115 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (177C) and prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by lightly greasing or lining with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Dry Mixture: Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
3. Wet Blend: In a large mixing bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until silky smooth, then incorporate egg, vanilla, and sour cream, stirring until the mixture is completely integrated.
4. Batter Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Carefully mix in chopped apples, being careful not to overmix and maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
5. Pan Filling: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly and create a smooth surface for the cinnamon sugar topping.
6. Topping Application: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture generously and uniformly across the batter’s surface, ensuring complete coverage.
7. Baking Process: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean, indicating the cake is perfectly cooked.

Notes

• Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to avoid developing gluten, which makes the cake dense and chewy.
• Use firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness in the cake.
• Pat chopped apples dry with paper towels before adding to prevent excess liquid from making the cake soggy.
• Let ingredients like egg and sour cream reach room temperature for more even mixing and a smoother cake batter.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg