Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful treat perfect for cozy afternoons or dessert. With tender chunks of apple, warm cinnamon, and a hint of walnuts, it’s a simple recipe that brings comforting autumn flavors to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups chopped apples (peeled, approximately 2 medium apples)
• ¼ cup softened butter
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round or square cake pan to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chopped apples and walnuts gently to distribute evenly.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Step 8: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, add a quarter cup of sour cream or yogurt to the batter.
• Try substituting walnuts with pecans or leaving out nuts for a nut-free version.
• Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce for added sweetness.
• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a bit of tang, or sweet apples like Fuji depending on your preference.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or enjoy them chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use apple sauce instead of chopped apples?

Using apple sauce will change the texture and moisture balance of the cake. Chopped apples provide chunks and a pleasant bite, while apple sauce makes the cake more dense and moist. You can try substituting half the chopped apples with apple sauce if desired.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend. Be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binder to help with the texture.

Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 138 reviews

This Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake is a delightful, moist dessert that combines tender chopped apples with warm cinnamon and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for any occasion, this cake offers a comforting balance of sweet and spice with a soft crumb and a hint of nutty crunch.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit

• 1 ¼ cups chopped apples (peeled, approximately 2 medium apples)

Dairy & Eggs

• ¼ cup softened butter
• 2 large eggs

Sweeteners

• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar

Dry Ingredients

• 1 and a quarter cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Other

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the cake later.
2. Prepare Apples: Peel and finely chop approximately 2 medium apples to yield 1 ¼ cups. Set aside for mixing.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together ¼ cup softened butter, ¼ cup sugar, and ¼ cup dark brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
4. Add Eggs: Add the 2 large eggs to the creamed mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt to distribute the leavening and spices evenly.
6. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet batter, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing, which keeps the cake tender.
7. Fold in Apples, Walnuts, and Vanilla: Gently fold in the chopped apples, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract into the batter.
8. Prepare Baking Dish: Grease or line an 8-inch round or square cake pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
9. Pour and Smooth Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
10. Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• For extra moisture, sprinkle a little bit of lemon juice over the chopped apples to prevent browning before folding into the batter.
• Walnuts can be substituted with pecans or omitted for a nut-free version.
• Use freshly ground cinnamon for best flavor.
• Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
• This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Keywords: Cinnamon apple cake, Easy apple cake, Apple cake with walnuts, Moist apple cake, Homemade dessert