Why You’ll Love This Apple Cinnamon Cake
This apple cinnamon cake is about to become your new favorite fall dessert. I can’t get enough of how the tender, moist crumb pairs perfectly with chunks of sweet-tart apples in every bite.
Trust me, the aroma that fills your kitchen while it’s baking? Worth making this cake for that alone.
You’ll appreciate how straightforward the recipe is—no fancy techniques required. Just mix, bake, and enjoy.
The cinnamon-sugar topping creates a slightly crisp, caramelized crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior. Perfect with coffee, as dessert, or, let’s be honest, breakfast.
What Ingredients are in Apple Cinnamon Cake?
This apple cinnamon cake brings together the perfect balance of warm spices and fresh fruit. I love how the ingredients are mostly pantry staples, so you can whip this up whenever the craving hits.
The combination of both white and brown sugars gives the cake a deeper flavor profile, while the sour cream guarantees it stays moist long after baking. And those chunks of apple? They basically melt into little pockets of fruity goodness throughout the cake.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons non-alcoholic vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) sour cream or plain yogurt
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (for topping)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for topping)
When it comes to choosing your apples, you might wonder which variety works best. I find that firmer, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape well during baking, but really, any apple you have on hand will work.
The sour cream can be substituted with plain yogurt if that’s what you have in your fridge—both will give you that wonderful tender crumb we’re looking for.
And while the nuts in the topping are optional, they do add a lovely textural contrast to the soft cake beneath.
How to Make This Apple Cinnamon Cake
Making this apple cinnamon cake is surprisingly straightforward, even for those of us who don’t consider ourselves baking experts. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing an 8-inch cake pan—a little grease and flour will guarantee your beautiful creation doesn’t stick.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1½ cups of all-purpose flour with 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg if you’re using it. This dry ingredient mixture is the foundation of those warm, spicy flavors we’re aiming for.
Next comes the creaming process, which is where the magic happens. Beat ½ cup of softened unsalted butter with ¾ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—about two minutes of beating should do it. Can I just say how satisfying it’s to watch butter and sugar transform from separate ingredients into this pillowy, pale mixture?
Once that’s done, add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in 1½ teaspoons of non-alcoholic vanilla extract. Fold in your dry ingredients alternating with ½ cup of sour cream or yogurt, mixing just until combined. Gently fold in those 2 medium peeled and diced apples, which will create pockets of fruity goodness throughout your cake.
For the final touch, mix 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and sprinkle this over the top of your batter once it’s in the pan. If you’re feeling fancy, scatter 2 tablespoons of chopped pecans or walnuts over this sweet cinnamon layer. The topping will create a delightful crackly crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender cake beneath.
Pop your creation into the preheated oven, and while the recipe doesn’t specify baking time, I’d suggest checking it after about 35-40 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center—when it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your apple cinnamon masterpiece is ready to cool and enjoy.
Apple Cinnamon Cake Substitutions and Variations
While the classic apple cinnamon cake recipe is already delicious, playing around with substitutions can help you accommodate dietary restrictions or simply experiment with new flavors.
I often swap in gluten-free flour when baking for my friend with celiac disease—just add ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum for better texture.
Dairy-free? Try coconut oil instead of butter and coconut yogurt for the sour cream.
For fruit variations, pears work beautifully as an apple substitute.
And don’t get me started on mix-ins! A handful of cranberries or raisins adds lovely tartness.
Sometimes I’ll even throw in some grated carrot. Unexpected, but trust me on this one.
What to Serve with Apple Cinnamon Cake
Serving the perfect accompaniment with apple cinnamon cake can elevate your dessert experience from merely delicious to absolutely memorable.
I’ve found that a scoop of vanilla ice cream creates magic as it melts into the warm cake’s crevices, while a dollop of whipped cream adds a cloud-like lightness.
For a more sophisticated pairing, try caramel sauce drizzled over the top—store-bought works fine, but homemade? That’s where dreams happen.
A sprinkle of toasted pecans adds wonderful texture contrast.
And can we talk about beverages? A strong cup of coffee or spiced chai tea balances the sweetness perfectly.
Final Thoughts
After baking your way through this recipe, I’m convinced that apple cinnamon cake deserves a permanent spot in your dessert rotation.
The magical combination of tender apples, warming spices, and that irresistible crumb topping creates something truly special.
What I love most about this humble cake? Its versatility. Perfect for breakfast with coffee, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or dressed up with vanilla ice cream for guests.
And those heavenly aromas that fill your kitchen? Better than any candle you could buy.
Trust me on this one—some recipes come and go, but this apple cinnamon cake? It’s a keeper.
Apple Cinnamon Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using).
- Beat butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Fold in dry ingredients alternating with sour cream, mixing just until combined.
- Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon for topping, sprinkle over batter. Add nuts if using.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
