click here to Pin this recipeThis cinnamon sugar apple cake is just one of those things that is very regular but somehow elevates the day a little bit. It’s low maintenance, highly snackable, and 100% as warming, fragrant, and cozy a basic apple cake should be.
This apple cake is:
- light and fluffy
- loaded with fresh apples
- sweet but not overly sweet
- magically crispy with that layer of cinnamon-sugar on top
- a nice vehicle for some whipped cream or honey butter
- excellent with coffee
- and a sweater
- and a fall candle
- coming to you, warm, fresh-out-the-oven, in just under an hour.
How to Cut Apples for Apple Cake, In My (Un)Professional Opinion
First of all, let me just establish that I do not peel my apples for anything. No thanks, man. I just cannot be bothered to spend any time removing a perfectly good, edible, nutritious peel. You go ahead and make the rules in your own kitchen.
Here are some apple cutting options for you:
- Finely diced (top): classic apple cake situation. You’ll get tiny pockets of juicy apple tucked into your cake. Very normal and delicious.
- Thinly sliced (middle): my personal favorite. I use a mandoline (affiliate link) to slice the apples super thinly, and then I run through them again with a knife to create bite-sized, paper-thin pieces of apple. This allows you to still get those pockets of apple in your cake, but helps distribute the apples a bit better so you’re not ending up with such heavy chunks of apple in the cake.
- Shredded (bottom): the pieces of apple will magically sort of “disappear” into the cake. No pockets of apples – just lots of that naturally wonderful apple sweetness. This is my second favorite way to cut the apples.
Here’s How to Make Apple Cake
Mix your apples into the batter.
Top with that buttery cinnamon sugar sand.
Bake, slice, and now eat, like, a lot of apple cake.
This cake was the perfect weekend treat (not to mention Monday snack and Tuesday 2nd dinner), and guess what’s right around the corner? Wednesday breakfast.
Add some honey butter and coffee and you are in Cozy Fall Business.
In our house, we have no problem eating the. whole. thing. As in, two adults and one entire cake. A little piece here, and a little piece there, and three more pieces after dinner, and suddenly it’s time to make another apple cake.
Check out our video for how to make Apple Cake (1 min):
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
This simple cinnamon sugar apple cake is light and fluffy, loaded with fresh apples, and topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar layer!
Ingredients
Apple Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 2 1/2 cups chopped apples (see notes)
Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix ingredients in order given, stirring until just combined.
- Pour batter into a buttered 9×13 pan.
- Combine last 3 ingredients to make a topping and sprinkle / spread it evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 45 minutes. Serve with honey butter or whipped cream if you want. APPLE CAKE IS THE BEST!
Notes
The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products we use and love!
Apples: I found that two average sized apples was about the right amount to get 2-ish cups of cut apples. For cuts/textures, see the photo and notes in the post! I like to use a crispy, sweet apple like Honeycrisp for this cake, but honestly, I think just about any type of apple would work.
Types of Oil: Canola or vegetable oil is what I normally use, but olive oil is also really delicious in baked goods – it just has a unique, distinct, olive oily flavor. Also, I haven’t tried it yet but I’d be willing to bet that an equal amount of coconut oil or butter would work, too.
Honey Butter: Mix 2-3 tablespoons softened butter with 2-3 tablespoons of honey. Add a sprinkle of sea salt if you want to take it over the top (you do).
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cinnamon apple cake, cinnamon sugar apple cake, apple cake
TIME TO SHOW YOU OFF!
Tag @pinchofyum on Instagram for a chance to be featured
One more thing!
This recipe is part of our collection of easy baking recipes. Check it out!
Pinterest
That’s one great looking cake! It sounds absolutely delicious as well. And I’m exactly the same when it comes to clothes – I have so many skirts like that in my closet.
At least I’m not the only one! 🙂
OMG ladies get it together rock that skirt and eat that apple cake like a boss I am 170 pound women who wears bikinis and slim fitting dresses I bet you can work it. BTW I also ate this whole cake…….. in one sitting enjoy!!
I am making it now it smells good yummy.
I made this cake last week for a ladies bible study group. They loved it. I making it again tonight.
Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
LOL!! Yessss- we are going to need a bigger pencil skirt! Love it– Life is short- eat the damn cake. 🙂
Awesome cake…had a hard time getting the middle to cook…only thing i will probably do different my next time is make it in bread dish or muffin pan…the recipe it delicious as is…thank you for sharing
★★★★★
Glad you enjoyed the cake, Jess!
I Love you davis priest, & wish I had your confidence…I bet you have some wonderful friends… : )
★★★★★
Omg i just made this. So yum turned out perfect kids ate it too
★★★★★
Hi,
Thanks for the recipe!
1. If I sub for milk and vineger or milk and yogurt how much would you put of each?
2. Is the 9×13 pan size in inches or centimeters?
3. Is it possible to make the cake in a round pan? If yes what size and would you change the baking time or quantities?
Hi, I have just made this cake. I used a 9cmx13cm pan, I didn’t use the milk and vinegar, I used the plain yogurt and milk and used half a cup of each. If using a round pan I reckon a 9inch deep pan.
Amanda, I don’t think your unit of measure was correct, I’m pretty sure it’s inches as in 9in x 13in what you wrote converts to approximately 4in x 5in and I believe it’d be a 9 inch round pan as opposed to 9 inches deep…
I’m going to make this very soon! And I’m super duper excited
Enjoy, Daisy!
With all due respect. 9 cm would be way too Small, and cake batter…why would the cake mould make a difference as long as well greased!. Milk and yog..are both dairy…vinegar makes it buttermilk…never tried yoghurt, but would mix yoghurt and water…just my pov…to make same amount….delicious cake btw
Was wondering if I can substitute an apple compote for the chopped apples?
We haven’t tried subbing an apple compote here, so it’s hard for us to say how it’ll turn out. Worth a try though!
The measurements are in inches
Can I halve this recipe to make a smaller cake? It’s just my husband and I.
Thanks so much.
Holy cow this cake is delicious!!!!
★★★★★
Family (me, daughter and husband) absolutely love the cake. But seeing as though its just the 3 of us, and those darn clothes we have to fit into, I’m curious on how you recommend storing the uneaten portion.
★★★★★
Hi, Danielle! We haven’t tried freezing this cake yet, but it sounds like some other readers have tried it out. You could try freezing any uneaten portions for later. 🙂
In my house if is myself and my two seniors (1 is diabetic) and this is a large cake for us. I have made twice and frozen and it was still delicious.
Glad you like the cake, Tara!
I’ve made this before and it’s always been incredible! Now I’d like to make a bunch of small cakes, more like the size of a loaf or banana bread, for gifts.. Do I need to adjust the baking time? Would it be detrimental to bake something like 4 at a time?
Thanks!
I like to try everything and all you recipes looks good
I thought you said to start off with a cake mix for the cinnamon cake receipt and then add the apples, etc ?
Apples + cinnamon + sugar > pencil skirt. Besides, there’s fruit, so it’s healthy.
Also, I would be all about having this cake for dinner, and second dinner. And maybe mid-afternoon tea, as well. (I have the eating schedule of a hobbit. [Nerd reference])
lol – nerd references welcome!
Hi! What can I substitute the flour with to make this gluten free? Oat flour? Gluten free flour blend? Thanks!
We haven’t tried the recipe using gluten free flour, but we think both oat flour and gluten free flour could be good options. If you give either a try, we’d love to know how it worked out!
Would this still work without the sugar/cinnamon topping?
Looks and sounds so delicious!
Yes, you can make this cake without the cinnamon sugar topping!
I love the combination of apple and cinnamon! You’re making my mouth water 🙂
A cake that doesn’t require peeling apples? SOLD! 🙂
PS pencil skirts be damned… it’s almost winter anyway 🙂 Who wants to wear a skirt in winter? 🙂
That is another reason I don’t want to wear it – I’m too cold!
This is baking in my oven now. After 45 minutes of baking, how do I test to make sure the cake is done? If I test it by poking the center with a toothpick, should it come out clean?
Everything I moderation. I eat anything I want , because I eat healthy and woork out twice a week. Works for me!
My parents are coming into town this weekend – and I recently realized I have never had the opportunity to cook for them in my own home. But they love apples, and cinnamon, and cake…
Fate? I think so.
Awesome! I’d call that good timing.
Update: They loved it! Huge hit. Thank you 🙂
★★★★★
Awesome! So glad to hear it. 🙂
Thanks Lindsay, this looks amazing – I don’t tend to have buttermilk, can you tell me please what proportion milk/yoghurt? Can’t wait to make this!
Hi..would this recipe work with honey and coconut oil?
When you say flour, are you meaning All Purpose or Self Rising?? Wanna make for Thanksgiving and don’t wanna mess it up, Thank you!
Hi Tracy! All-purpose flour here. 😉
By soda I’m assuming you mean baking soda? Just had to double check- I need to make an apple cake for a harvest party coming up and this looks like the best so far!
★★★★★
Yep! Baking soda it is.
Self rising flour or all purpose
I made this today and used self raising, it’s delicious!
Made this cake today….what a hit with my husband. So most and light, and even with the sugars…not sweet. It is a keeper in my books. Five stars for sure.
★★★★★
So happy to hear that, Marie! Glad you enjoyed the cake. 🙂
Pencil skirt, schmencil skirt. Can it show you love like cinnamon, sugar and apples? I don’t think so.
Preach it.
Gorgeous cake! I won’t have the time to bake this weekend, but this cake will definitely be made here…soon!
I really don’t think I’d be able to resist this – it looks delicious! Perfect cake for autumn too 🙂
Apple cake is one of my absolute favorite sweet snack/desserts. These photos have me drooling!
I like that you classify it as a snack. Me, too. 🙂
I like this apple tradition, too. Keep it up! 🙂
This weekend, I’m doing my last long run before my half marathon next weekend! J and I just finished a not so successful tennis match with our good friends and I’m going to open my good friend, Haagen Daaz. It’s a good night. 🙂
Good luck with your half marathon!
soooper tempting cake…gorgeous pics makes me craving..
first time here…love your space..
very interesting posts..
Am your happy follower now..:)
do stop by mine sometime..
Tasty Appetite
★★★★★
Thanks Jay!
I agree that money spent on food is money well spent! Loved your post and love the photos of the cake- if I was here this weekend, I would surely be baking some. For now, I’ll just look at the photos and day dream about eating it! Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t it though? I always spend way too much money on Honeycrisp apples in the fall. They are SO worth it.
Yessssss… me too! <3 Honeycrisp apples, though it may just be the name that's so appealing (a-peel-ing… ha). I just found your recipe and am running out to buy apples right now to bake this! Can't wait to taste it 🙂
Could you adapt this cake recipe into cupcakes easily?
You can’t go wrong with a combination of cinnamon, sugar and apples! Happy apple Friday! Love it.
★★★★★
“Happy apple Friday” – love it!
when you say soda, do you mean baking soda? I dont want my cake to taste like cola 🙂
Haha… yes. Baking soda.
After performing my weekend ritual of making your granola recipe, my sister-in-law and I are about to bake this amazing cake! Thanks for my daily dose of inspiration to take time for the things that feed my soul. And by the way, I had to give my pencil skirt to aforementioned sister-in-law, due to a few too many of your recipes. 🙂
Arg those pencil skirts! I saw your list of items that you were making last night on facebook. You are one motivated cook! 🙂
Umm, yes please! I could eat the whole pan…
That’s exactly what we did!
I just tried this recipe and followed it exactly (I used the vinegar and milk as I didn’t have any buttermilk) and I used melted butter instead of oil. It was amazing! So good. Everyone in my family loved it. I chose to make a simple vanilla glaze to pour on top which just made it even better.
★★★★★
So happy to hear this, Nicole! 🎉
This would be amazing served warm with Pioneer Woman’s “Hard Sauce”…
I’ll have to look that up…
…Or with warm vanilla sauce like they serve with apple strudel in Germany.
Made this cake and it was fabulous. Everybody loved it!❤️
★★★★★
Can’t believe how easy this recipe is yet it looks so delicious!
It’s definitely super easy!
Don’t you just love the wide variety of fresh apples in the Fall? Yummy sounding recipe!
Thanks! And yes – I do love it!
Just made this and it was yummy! I think next time the pinch of yum recipe could use a pinch of salt in the cake batter. I also decreased sugar in batter by 1/2 a cup,and it was plenty sweet. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Glad to hear you enjoyed the cake, Sarah!
Looks amazingly delicious, my only wish is if you could share a bite with me 🙂
★★★★★
Thank you for this lovely recipe. I made it tonight and the whole family loved it!
★★★★★
I love cake that can double as breakfast. And apple cake is a huge favorite – yours looks amazing!!!
Thanks – and definitely appropriate for breakfast!
I also tried it and loved it…Thanks a lot lindsay
This looks so delicious! My mouth is watering right now.
And after getting married, I have a handful of skirts that don’t fit me anymore.
Whatever… I just love cakes way too much 🙂
Embrace the cake.
I made this cake yesterday and it’s delicious. It has a wonderful soft texture. I did sub 3/4 cup white sugar and 3/4 cup brown sugar and used butter instead of oil. Also made a traditional streusal topping by adding a little flour and 1/2 cup of nuts. Lovely cake!
★★★★★
PS. Next time I’m going to use 3 apples instead of 2. Also I put a little extra flour into the apples before adding them to the batter. It absorbs the juice, I find, and keeps apples from sinking.
★★★★★
I made this at work for my clients but only had dark brown sugar. It was good but seemed more like a spice cake. I also made it today but instead of oil I used applesauce. It turned out so delicious. Now I just need to bust out the will power. I am already wanting another piece. Thanks for your awesome recipes!