Introduction
This apple and cinnamon cake is moist, flavorful, and perfect for fall or anytime you want a comforting dessert. It’s soft, lightly spiced, and studded with sweet apples, making it irresistible with a cup of tea or coffee.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
🧰 Equipment
- 9×9-inch or 8-inch round baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Spatula
- Knife and cutting board
📝 Ingredients (Serves 8)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Optional topping: cinnamon sugar (1 tablespoon sugar + ½ teaspoon cinnamon)
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Apples: Tart varieties like Granny Smith give nice balance; sweet varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji work too.
- Spices: Cinnamon is essential; nutmeg adds warmth.
- Nuts & Topping: Optional for extra crunch.
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour your pan or line with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cream Butter & Sugar
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine Batter
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in diced apples and nuts (if using).
- Add Topping (Optional)
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top for extra crunch and flavor.
- Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve
- Allow cake to cool slightly before slicing.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Protein: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Sugar: 25 g
💡 Tips
- Toss apples with a tablespoon of flour before folding in to prevent them from sinking.
- For extra moistness, add ½ cup applesauce to the batter.
- Store covered at room temperature for 2–3 days.
🔄 Variations
- Caramel Apple Cake: Drizzle caramel sauce over slices before serving.
- Apple Crumble Cake: Top with a streusel (oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter) before baking.
- Spiced Apple Cake: Add ginger and cloves for extra warmth.
- Bundt Cake Version: Bake in a Bundt pan for a prettier presentation.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- Drizzle of caramel or maple syrup
- Warm with tea or coffee
