Apple Cinnamon Cake

Ingredient Notes & Details

Apples
Use crisp baking apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji. They hold their shape and provide the perfect sweet-tart balance.

All-purpose flour
Gives structure while keeping the cake soft and fluffy.

Granulated sugar
Sweetens the cake while allowing the apple flavor to shine.

Brown sugar
Adds moisture and deep caramel notes to the cinnamon topping.

Ground cinnamon
The heart of this baked apple recipe — warm, comforting, and fragrant.

Eggs
Bind the batter and create a tender crumb.

Milk
Keeps the batter smooth and pourable.

Vegetable oil or melted butter
Adds richness and moisture.

Baking powder
Ensures a soft, fluffy rise.

Vanilla extract
Enhances the sweetness and spice.

Salt
Balances all the flavors.

Preheat and prepare your pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.

Peel and dice the apples
Cut apples into small chunks so they bake evenly and melt into the cake.

Mix the dry ingredients
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together.

Combine wet ingredients
In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.

Bring everything together
Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined.

Fold in the apples
Gently stir in the diced apples so they’re evenly distributed.

Make the cinnamon topping
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.

Bake until golden and set
Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool before slicing
Let the cake cool slightly before cutting for clean slices.