Sweet Apple & Cinnamon Cake Recipe for Cozy Bakers

Warm spices dance through kitchens when you bake this incredible apple cinnamon delight cake recipe that promises comfort in every slice.

Sweet aromas of caramelized fruit and rich cinnamon swirl through the air, beckoning everyone near.

Soft, moist layers promise a decadent experience that melts in your mouth.

Seasonal ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a dessert that feels both rustic and elegant.

Ripe apples and fragrant cinnamon form a perfect partnership of flavor and texture.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this delightful treat with simple steps and basic ingredients.

Serve this cake fresh from the oven for a memorable dessert that sparks joy and warmth.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Apple Cinnamon Cake

• Cake Flour: Provides delicate, tender texture with low protein content for soft crumb.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create golden-brown cake surface.
• Baking Soda: Ensures light, airy rise and helps cake achieve perfect height.
• Table Salt: Balances flavors and enhances overall taste profile.

• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and creates smooth, creamy cake consistency.
• Egg, Egg Yolk: Provides structure, richness, and helps ingredients bind together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to cake's flavor.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb and adds subtle tangy undertone.

• Dark Brown Sugar: Introduces deep caramel notes and moisture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, spicy complexity to cake's flavor.
• Diced Apple: Adds natural sweetness, texture, and fruity freshness.
• Oats: Provides crunchy element and rustic texture to topping.
• Baking Spray or Butter and Flour: Ensures smooth cake release from pan.

Equipment for Apple Cinnamon Cake Success

• Stand Mixer: Powerful electric tool for blending ingredients smoothly and creating fluffy cake batter.
• Cake Pan: Essential for shaping and baking the cake, preferably 9-inch round with non-stick surface.
• Mixing Bowls: Two separate bowls needed for preparing crumb topping and apple mixture.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining sugar, butter, and ensuring smooth crumb topping mixture.
• Knife: Used for checking cake doneness and cutting cake after baking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape mixture from sides of mixing bowl.
• Cutting Board: Used for dicing apples neatly and safely.

How to Bake Apple Cinnamon Cake That’s Tender & Rich

• Cinnamon Sugar Symphony

Create a delightful mixture of sugars and warm spices, blending them with melted butter until they form a rich, fragrant base that promises deliciousness.

• Apple Dance Preparation

Gently coat diced apples with a sprinkle of cinnamon and hearty oats, setting them aside to infuse with flavor and anticipation.

• Cake Batter Magic

In a mixer, combine cake flour with essential dry ingredients, then slowly incorporate butter until it resembles soft crumbs. Introduce eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk, transforming the mixture into a silky, smooth batter.

• Fold and Layer

Carefully spread the cake batter into a prepared pan, creating a smooth canvas. Scatter the cinnamon sugar crumble across the top, then lovingly distribute the apple-oat mixture for a rustic, homemade touch.

• Baking Bliss

Slide the cake into a preheated oven at 325 degrees. Let it bake for 50-55 minutes, allowing the kitchen to fill with warm, inviting aromas. The cake is ready when a knife emerges clean, signaling a perfectly baked treat.

Ideas to Add Crunch or Glaze to Your Cake

• Baking Brilliance: Tips for a Perfect Apple Cinnamon Delight Cake
• Butter Temperature Trick: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, even blending and a lighter cake texture.
• Apple Selection Wisdom: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor and texture in your cake.
• Moisture Magic: Don't overmix the batter; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender and prevent a tough, dense result.
• Topping Crunch Hack: Freeze the crumb topping for 10 minutes before sprinkling to create extra crispy, defined chunks that add delightful texture.
• Storage Secret: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Cinnamon Cake

• Cozy Family Dessert Centerpiece: Place this warm apple cinnamon cake in the center of your dining table, letting its inviting aroma draw everyone together for a delightful shared moment.
• Elegant Afternoon Tea Companion: Slice the cake into delicate wedges and serve alongside hot Earl Grey tea, creating a sophisticated treat perfect for catching up with friends.
• Breakfast Indulgence Twist: Warm a slice slightly and top with a dollop of vanilla yogurt or a light drizzle of maple syrup for a decadent morning breakfast accompaniment that feels like a special weekend treat.
• Seasonal Gathering Showstopper: Garnish each slice with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, a few toasted chopped nuts, or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate this cake from simple dessert to a memorable centerpiece for autumn gatherings.

How to Store Apple Cinnamon Cake Like a Baker

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Cooling Countdown: Let the cake cool completely at room temperature for about 2 hours before covering to prevent moisture buildup and soggy texture.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its delicious moisture and flavor.
• Freezing Friendly: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for quick dessert emergencies.
• Room Temperature Magic: Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days in a sealed container, ensuring maximum freshness and soft crumb texture.

Heavenly Apple Cinnamon Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Moist layers of apple cinnamon delight cake showcase classic American baking traditions with rich, spiced undertones. Warm spices and tender apples create a comforting dessert you can savor with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• 2 fuji apples, diced
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ¾ cups (7 oz / 198 g) cake flour
• 1 ¼ cups (7 oz / 198 g) cake flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 6 tbsps (85 g / 3 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 8 tbsps (113 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, melted and warm
• ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsps cinnamon
• ¾ cup regular oats
• ⅓ cup buttermilk
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp table salt
• ¼ tsp table salt
• 2 tsps vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Combine granulated and dark brown sugars with ground cinnamon and salt, then integrate melted butter until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
2. Create Dough: Gently knead cake flour into the sugar mixture, developing a soft, malleable texture that will serve as both cake base and crumble topping.
3. Develop Apple Filling: Toss diced apples with cinnamon and rolled oats, allowing flavors to harmonize and create a rich, aromatic mixture.
4. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit and thoroughly grease a cake pan with baking spray or butter and flour coating.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer, blend cake flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt to form a light, uniform dry foundation.
6. Build Batter: Incorporate softened butter into dry ingredients until resembling coarse crumbs, then add whole egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and buttermilk, mixing until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency.
7. Assemble Cake: Fold apple-oat mixture and brown sugar into the batter, ensuring even distribution, then transfer to prepared pan and spread evenly.
8. Finish and Bake: Sprinkle reserved dough crumbles and spiced apple-oat mixture over the surface, then bake for 50-55 minutes until a knife inserted comes out clean, indicating perfect doneness.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for ingredients to ensure the cake’s consistent texture and flavor balance.
• Handle Flour Carefully: Sift cake flour before measuring to prevent clumping and achieve a lighter, more delicate crumb.
• Temperature Matters: Keep butter and eggs at room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients.
• Check Doneness Strategically: Test cake with a toothpick or thin knife inserted in the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg