Description
A moist and flavorful Cinnamon Apple Cake featuring tender diced apples and warm spices. This classic American dessert combines the sweetness of brown and granulated sugars with aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg, baked to perfection for a comforting treat perfect for fall or any time you crave a cozy cake.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
Fruit
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Topping
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 inch round or square baking pan thoroughly to prevent the cake from sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined, ensuring even spice distribution.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate fully. Then mix in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing each addition until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Toss Apples with Lemon Juice: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and diced apples with lemon juice. This prevents browning and adds a slight tang to balance the sweetness.
- Fold Apples into Batter: Gently fold the lemon-coated apples into the cake batter to evenly distribute the fruit without breaking up the pieces.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared greased baking pan, smoothing the top for even baking.
- Add Topping: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter to create a sweet, spiced crust.
- Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Optionally enjoy with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce.
Notes
- Firm apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji are ideal as they hold their shape during baking.
- For added texture and flavor, consider folding in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter.
- This cake is delicious served warm and pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
