Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake: My Go-To Cozy Bake (Print Version)

Bake the best Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake with my simple recipe! Full of warm spices and tender apples, it's comfort in every bite.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Baking Essentials

01 - 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 tsp baking powder
04 - 1 tsp baking soda
05 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Apple & Spice Love

06 - 2 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
09 - 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
11 - 2-3 medium apples (about 2 cups diced), firm and tart-sweet (e.g., Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)

→ Sweet Topping

12 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar, for dusting

→ Optional Enhancements

13 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
14 - 1/4 tsp nutmeg

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C), honey. Grab a 9-inch square baking pan – or a round one, whatever you have – and grease it and flour it like you mean it. I once thought a quick spray was enough. Nope! Ended up with a stubborn cake. Then, in a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and that glorious cinnamon. Give it a good whisk until it's all blended. You'll smell the cinnamon wafting up, and honestly, that's when the magic starts!
02 - In a separate, larger bowl, crack those eggs. Whisk 'em up a bit, then pour in the vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk again until it’s all combined and looking smooth. Now, here’s where the two bowls meet! Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Don't overmix, seriously! Overmixing develops the gluten, and you’ll end up with a tough cake, and nobody wants a tough Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake. Lumps are okay, even welcome, if you ask me!
03 - Now for the star of the show: the apples! Gently fold your diced apples into the batter. This is where you see the cake really start to take shape. I always make sure they’re evenly distributed, so every slice gets a good apple-y bite. Sometimes I toss them with a tiny bit of extra cinnamon or a squeeze of lemon juice before adding them, just to make sure they’re extra flavorful and don't brown too quickly. It’s a small step, but it makes a difference, I think.
04 - Pour that beautiful, apple-studded batter into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for about 40-50 minutes. Now, ovens are quirky, aren't they? Mine runs a little hot, so I always start checking around 35 minutes. You're looking for a golden-brown top, and when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If it's still gooey, give it another 5-10 minutes. Don't peek too often, though!
05 - Once your Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake is out of the oven, resist the urge to slice into it immediately! Let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10-15 minutes. This is crucial; it helps the cake set and prevents it from crumbling when you try to remove it. I’ve definitely rushed this step before and ended up with a slightly broken cake, but still delicious, of course. After it's rested, carefully invert it onto the wire rack to cool completely.
06 - Once the cake is completely cool – or at least mostly cool, I'm not that patient – it’s time for the final flourish! Dust it generously with powdered sugar. I use a small sieve for this, it creates such a pretty, snowy effect. Slice it up and serve! It smells like pure comfort, and the texture is so tender with those soft apple chunks. It’s perfect on its own, but honestly, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes it to another level. Enjoy your homemade Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake!

# Notes:

01 - Always use fresh baking powder and soda; it makes a huge difference in rise and texture.
02 - Store leftover cake tightly covered at room temp for up to 3 days; it stays wonderfully moist.
03 - No fresh apples? Drained canned apple pie filling can work in a pinch, but fresh is best.
04 - Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly comforting experience, it's my favorite!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9-inch square or round baking pan
02 - mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - spatula
05 - wire rack

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350 kcal
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 4g

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