This Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake is a perfect fall dessert for celebrating its flavors. Filled with tender pieces of apples, a pinch of warmth from cinnamon and a delightful crunch from chopped walnuts, this cake is as comforting as it is delicious.
Easy to make, and baked until golden perfection, it’s the perfect treat for cozy evenings, family gatherings or even a sweet breakfast. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a dessert that will wow, and taste, your guests!
Why You’ll Love It
Common Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry and fridge.
How to Make It Fall Friendly: The comforting flavors of cinnamon and apples are a perfect embodiment of the season.
Texture Heaven: This moist cake, filled with tender apples and crunchy walnuts, is the perfect bite.
Versatile: Breakfast, dessert or anytime snack, this cake is great.
Crowd-Pleaser: Effortless to prepare but posh enough that you can serve it to company.
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Key Ingredients:
Best Varieties: Use tart, crisp apples—the best flavor/texture combination are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp and Braeburn.
Uniform Chopping: The apples should be chopped into pieces of a uniform size to ensure even baking.
Peel Tip: Use a vegetable peeler for easy peeling in a hurry.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and depths the apples’ innate sweetness.
Extra Spices: For added coziness, stir in a pinch of nutmeg or allspice.
Chopping Tip: After cutting walnuts, do so into large pieces so they retain some crunch.
Substitutions: Use pecans instead of walnuts, or skip them altogether for a nut-free cake.
Dark Brown Sugar: Offers a nice, molasses-like richness and depth that pairs well with the cinnamon and apples.
Light Brown Sugar: If dark isn’t available, can use in a pinch.
Butter, Softened: Butter should be softened for easy creaming with the sugars. If the butter is cold, it won’t incorporate properly.
Full ingredient amounts and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Get Your Baking Pan Ready
Preheat the Ovens: You want an oven temperature of 350°F (175°C) for a brown crust with soft and fluffy insides.
Grease the Pan: Use non-stick spray or butter to grease a 9-inch round baking pan. Which will assist in preventing sticking and allow for easy cake removal.
Step 2: Make the Batter
Cream the Butter and Sugars:
Beat in a large mixing bowl:
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
With an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat the mixture until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the Eggs:
Add 2 large eggs, 1 at a time.
Beat well after each addition to keep a smooth texture.
Stir in Vanilla Extract:
Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and stir until incorporated. This imparts flavor into the cake.
Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, combine and whisk:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
This guarantees a uniform dispersement of the leavening agents and spices.
This could be added as a response to include Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now slowly mix in the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture.
Beat at low speed just until blended. Take care not to overmix, which would result in a dense cake.
Fold in Apples and Walnuts:
Gently fold in:
1 1/2 cups chopped, peeled apples (for moisture and flavor).
½ cup of chopped walnuts (for a crunchy texture).
Step 3: Bake the Cake
Transfer to the Pan:
Transfer batter to prepared baking pan.
Use a spatula to spread it evenly for the best and most even bake.
Bake:
Transfer the pan into the pre-heated oven and roast for 40-45 minutes.
Test for doneness by stabbing a toothpick into the middle. The cake is done if it comes out clean.
Cool the Cake:
Let it cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes.
Then move it to a wire rack to cool completely. Chilling helps firm the texture, for easier slicing.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Slice and Serve:
Let cool briefly, then slice cake into wedges.
For added pizzazz, serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with caramel sauce.
Enjoy:
Enjoy the ideal balance of soft apples, aromatic spices and crunchy walnuts. A true crowd-pleaser!
Serving Suggestions:
Classic Pairing: Dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream for a simple yet elegant presentation.
Fall Feast: Serve alongside a warm drink, such as an apple cider, chai tea, or a pumpkin spice latte, for a classic fall feel.
Have for dessert: Drizzle with caramel or maple syrup and serve with vanilla, chocolate, or any ice cream you can think of.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigeration: Leftover cake can be kept in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezing: Wrap slices tightly in plastic and transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge or microwave before serving.
Reheated: Microwave a slice for 15-20 seconds and it still tastes fresh out of the oven.
Variations:
Nut-Free: Omit the walnuts for a basic nut-free cake.
Gluten-Free option: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for a cake everyone can enjoy.
Extra Spiced: For more pronounced spiced flavor, add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg or cloves to the batter.
Caramel Apple Twist: Fold in caramel bits or drizzle caramel sauce on top of the batter before baking.
Vegan Version: Substitute butter with plant based margarine, eggs with flax-eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water per egg), and check that all ingredients are free from dairy.
Conclusion:
This Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake is a delightful dessert that captures the essence of fall. Its tender crumb, sweet apples, touch of cinnamon makes it a perfect accompaniment to the crispness of autumn days. Whether you’re hosting an intimate get-together or treating yourself to something special, it’s a cozy cake to embrace in each forkful.
So put on your apron and let autumn come into your kitchen. Believe me—your house will smell wonderful, and everyone will be begging for seconds. Enjoy!
Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake: A Cozy, Autumn-Inspired Treat
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups chopped apples peeled, about 2 medium apples
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9-inch round baking pan with non-stick spray or lightly grease with butter to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Gently fold in chopped apples and walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice the cooled cake into wedges and serve. For a special touch, enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.