Hey there, fellow baking enthusiasts!
You know that magical moment when the most incredible smell starts wafting through your home? Well, that's exactly what happens when you're baking my absolute favorite Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake!
This cake is perfect for any occasion!
I just love how this delightful treat fills every corner of your kitchen with those cozy, heartwarming aromas. Trust me, there's something so special about watching those sweet, tender apple pieces mingle with fragrant cinnamon in this incredibly moist, buttery Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake.
Whether you're curled up on a crisp autumn afternoon craving something sweet, or you're looking to wow your friends and family at your next get-together, I can promise you this - this Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake is going to become your go-to recipe. I've shared it with so many of my friends, and now it's a staple at all their family gatherings too!
Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Apple Cake?
This beloved cake combines the best of both worlds - the heartwarming flavors of apple pie and the soft, tender crumb of a perfectly baked cake. The Cinnamon Apple Cake has been carefully crafted to create the ideal balance of sweetness and spice, while keeping the preparation simple enough for bakers of all skill levels. Perfect for autumn gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply enjoying with your afternoon coffee, this homemade cinnamon apple cake stays moist for days thanks to the natural moisture from the fresh apples.
Jump to:
Ingredients
The Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 3 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (additional for apple mixture)
The Cinnamon Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan, making sure to coat all the crevices
- In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with ½ cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; set aside
Make the Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
- Refrigerate until ready to use
Prepare the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes)
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition
- Mix in vanilla extract
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients
- Mix until just combined - do not overmix
Assembly and Baking
- Pour half the batter into the prepared bundt pan
- Layer half of the apple mixture over the batter
- Sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the apples
- Add remaining batter
- Top with remaining apples and streusel
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
- Cool in pan for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack
- Preparation
Preheat the oven, prepare a bundt pan with grease and flour, and toss diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Make the Streusel Topping
Combine dry ingredients, cut in butter, refrigerate.
- Prepare the Cake Batter
Mix dry ingredients, cream butter and sugar, incorporate eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
- Assembly and Baking
Layer batter, apples, and streusel; bake and cool.
Equipment For Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe
- Wire cooling rack
- 10-inch bundt pan
- Electric mixer (stand mixer preferred, but hand mixer works too)
- Large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Apple peeler
- Sharp knife for dicing apples
Hints and Tips
- Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor balance
- Bring all refrigerated ingredients to room temperature before starting
- Don't overmix the batter once you add the flour to prevent a tough cake
- Test for doneness at the 50-minute mark as oven temperatures can vary
Variations
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based butter and make buttermilk using almond milk and lemon juice
- Extra Spice: Add ½ teaspoon nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves for more warmth
- Nutty Twist: Add 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping
- Dutch Apple Version: Skip the streusel and top with a vanilla glaze after cooling
Storage
This cinnamon apple cake stays fresh for up to 5 days when stored properly:
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 5 days
- Freezer: Wrap well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil; freezes for up to 3 months
Top Tip
- Don't skip the step of tossing the apples with sugar and cinnamon - this prevents them from releasing too much moisture during baking
- Grease and flour your bundt pan thoroughly to ensure easy release
- Let the cake cool for exactly 15 minutes before inverting - too short and it may break, too long and it might stick
FAQ
Why is my apple cake soggy?
Your homemade cinnamon apple cake is soggy because the apples release too much moisture during baking. To fix this, toss your diced apples with flour before adding them to the batter, and avoid using overripe apples. Also, make sure to properly measure your wet ingredients and don't overmix the batter. For best results, use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
What does cinnamon do to a cake?
Cinnamon adds warm, sweet flavor to homemade cinnamon apple cake and enhances its aroma. In apple cakes, cinnamon complements the fruit's natural sweetness while adding depth. This spice also helps balance moisture and can make your homemade cinnamon apple cake taste richer without adding extra sugar or fat. For the best results, use fresh ground cinnamon in your apple cake recipe.
What is the secret ingredient in cake?
The secret ingredient in many moist cakes is buttermilk. In homemade cinnamon apple cake, buttermilk adds tenderness, helps activate the baking soda, and creates a perfectly moist crumb. It also balances the sweetness and helps the spices blend better. If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice as a substitute.
Why does my apple cake fall apart?
Your homemade cinnamon apple cake falls apart due to incorrect ingredient ratios or mixing techniques. Common causes include using too much leavening agent, undermixing the batter, or incorrect oven temperature. To prevent this, accurately measure ingredients, cream butter and sugar properly, and don't overbake. Also, let your cake cool for 15 minutes before removing it from the pan
Delicious,and Easy: Your Go-To Cinnamon Apple Cake
Hey baking friends! Let me tell you about this amazing homemade cinnamon apple cake that I'm absolutely in love with! It's like autumn wrapped up in every perfectly spiced bite, bringing together all those cozy fall flavors in the most incredible way. The texture is wonderfully moist and tender, making it perfect for any gathering, potluck, or simply enjoying a slice with your morning coffee.
I'm so excited for you to try this homemade cinnamon apple cake - please drop me a comment below and let me know how your baking adventure goes! I love connecting with you all and hearing your stories.
If you loved baking this Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake, why not try something new next? Satisfy your sweet tooth with our Decadent Salted Caramel Cupcakes, featuring rich caramel flavor and a touch of sea salt for the perfect balance. Or, if you're looking for a light and elegant dessert, our Mini Pavlova Recipe offers crisp meringue shells with a soft, marshmallowy center, topped with fresh fruit. For a fun and festive treat, check out our Heart-Shaped Cakes Recipe, perfect for special occasions and celebrations. No matter what you're in the mood for, these recipes are sure to impress!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake
Homemade Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Wire cooling rack
- 1 10-inch bundt pan Greased & floured
- 1 Electric mixer Stand mixer preferred
- 2-3 Large mixing bowls
- 1 Measuring cups/spoons
- 1 Apple peeler
- 1 Sharp knife For dicing apples
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
- 3 medium apples Granny Smith/Honeycrisp, peeled & diced
- ½ cup brown sugar For apple mixture
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Additional for apples
For the Streusel:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup cold butter Cold & cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and flour 10-inch bundt pan
- Toss apples with brown sugar & cinnamon
- Make streusel by cutting butter into dry ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well
- Mix in vanilla extract
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk
- Pour half the batter into pan
- Layer half of apples and streusel
- Add remaining batter, apples, and streusel
- Bake for 50-60 minutes
- Cool in pan for 15 minutes before inverting
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith
- Bring cold ingredients to room temperature
- Don't overmix the batter
- Test with toothpick for doneness
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