Description
This Cinnamon Apple Cake is the ultimate comfort dessert, brimming with warm spices and tender apples. Perfectly moist and flavorful, it’s an easy-to-make treat that combines cinnamon, nutmeg, and juicy diced apples, ideal for cozy fall gatherings or any time you crave a nostalgic sweet bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square baking pan, or alternatively, line it with parchment paper for easy cake removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which ensures a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Flavoring: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream or Greek yogurt until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently and only until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fold in Apples: Carefully fold in the peeled and diced apples, distributing them evenly throughout the batter for bursts of juicy flavor.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and granulated sugar for the topping. Sprinkle this cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter spread in the pan.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For best flavor, use tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet varieties like Honeycrisp.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce to enhance the cozy fall flavors.
- This cake keeps well at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and moist.
