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

Whip up an Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake that tastes like a warm hug. This simple recipe is packed with cozy fall flavors and my favorite kitchen stories!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 70 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Cake Foundation

01 - 2 cups (240g) All-Purpose Flour
02 - 1 cup (200g) Granulated Sugar
03 - 1/2 cup (113g) Unsalted Butter, melted
04 - 2 Large Eggs
05 - 1/2 cup (120ml) Milk

→ Apple & Spice Stars

06 - 3 medium Apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and diced
07 - 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon, divided
08 - 1 tsp Baking Powder
09 - 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
10 - 1/2 tsp Salt

→ Sweet Glaze Fixings

11 - 1 cup (120g) Powdered Sugar
12 - 1-2 tbsp Milk (or apple cider, for glaze)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab your 9-inch round cake pan and give it a good grease and flour, or line it with parchment paper. Honestly, I swear by parchment paper; it saves so many sticky situations! Next, peel, core, and dice your apples. I like my pieces about half an inch, not too big, not too small. Toss them with a tablespoon of cinnamon and a little sugar – this step is crucial, it really gets those apple flavors singing and prevents them from clumping together in the batter. The smell of the cinnamon hitting those fresh apples? Oh, it's pure autumn magic already!
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the rest of that glorious ground cinnamon. Give it a good whisk, making sure there are no lumps. This step is more important than it seems, hon! I once just dumped everything in and ended up with a patch of unmixed baking powder in one slice of cake – not tasty, trust me. You want all those leavening agents and spices evenly distributed so every bite of this Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake is perfect. It only takes a minute, so don't rush it!
03 - Now, in a larger bowl, whisk together your melted butter and granulated sugar until they're light and fluffy. Then, crack in those eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. This helps create a smooth, emulsified mixture. Finally, pour in the milk and whisk until everything is just combined. It should look creamy and dreamy, almost like a milkshake. Don't overmix here, we're just aiming for smooth. I always get a little too enthusiastic with the whisk, but for this step, gentle is better!
04 - Time to combine! Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or by hand with a spatula until just combined. And I mean *just* combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, and we want a tender cake, not a tough one. Lumps are totally okay here, a few small ones won't hurt a thing. You'll see the batter start to thicken and come together, smelling sweet and spiced. This is where the magic really starts for our Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake!
05 - Now for the best part – gently fold in your diced, cinnamon-coated apples. Use a spatula for this, not a whisk, to avoid bruising the apples and to keep the batter from getting overmixed. You want those apple pieces evenly distributed throughout the batter. It's going to look like a lot of apples, but trust me, that's what makes this cake so good! The batter will be thick, almost like a fruit-studded dough. This always makes me smile, seeing all those little apple bits ready to bake into something wonderful.
06 - Pour your beautiful batter into your prepared cake pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on it! The edges should be golden brown, and your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly – like cinnamon, apples, and pure comfort. Once it's done, let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is a virtue here, hon, for the best Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake!
07 - While the cake cools, let's make that simple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and a tablespoon of milk (or apple cider, if you're feeling adventurous) until smooth. If it's too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a quarter teaspoon at a time, until you reach a pourable consistency. You want it thick enough to coat a spoon but thin enough to drizzle. Once the Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. It adds that perfect touch of sweetness and a pretty finish!

# Notes:

01 - Always toss your diced apples with a little cinnamon and flour before adding them to the batter; it helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
02 - This cake tastes even better the next day, so it’s a fantastic make-ahead option for gatherings.
03 - No fresh apples? You can use frozen, just thaw and drain them really well before dicing and adding.
04 - Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent experience!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9-inch round cake pan
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - spatula
05 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 50g
Protein: 5g

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