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    Home » Recipes » Cakes & Cupcakes

    Cinnamon Apple Cake

    Modified: Oct 23, 2022 · Published: Oct 10, 2022 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    A golden apple cake sprinkled with cinnamon and raw sugar.

    If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make cake, look no further than this cinnamon apple cake. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a moist and delicious cake prepped, baked and ready to eat in under an hour!

    Cinnamon apple cake on a white plate.

    This sweet, simple and fruity cake is perfect for any time of year - serve it at room temperature during summer for a tasty morning tea treat, or warm it up and add a scoop of ice-cream or a dollop of cream during the colder months.

    Just like my Apple Crumble and Homemade Apple Pie, this Apple Cinnamon Cake is the most delicious way to use up any apples you have sitting in the fruit bowl!

    Jump to:
    • Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
    • What You Need
    • Equipment Required
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ's
    • Related Recipes
    • Cinnamon Apple Cake

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    • Easy To Make - this recipe uses basic ingredients that most likely you already have on hand, plus the recipe is very straightforward and not complicated at all!
    • It's Moist And Delicious - apple cinnamon cake is very moist and has a great flavour. The apples add a natural sweetness and the cinnamon sugar topping gives it the crunchiest crunch!
    • Versatile - this cake can be served with ice cream, whipped cream, or on its own.
    • Conventional and Thermomix- this recipe can be made conventionally or in a Thermomix. You will find both the conventional and Thermomix methods in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
    • Perfect For Any Occasion - perfect for a family gathering, holiday party, school lunch boxes or any time you want to enjoy a delicious and easy-to-make cake.
    A wedge of apple cake slightly removed from the rest, placed on a white plate.

    What You Need

    Just a handful of basic fridge and pantry staple ingredients are needed!

    Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

    Ingredients for making apple cinnamon cake in small bowls.
    • Butter - make sure it is softened to room temperature before using. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, which ever you have on hand.
    • Caster Sugar - also known as superfine sugar, it dissolves easily when creamed with butter.
    • Ground Cinnamon - for a subtle spice flavour.
    • Vanilla Extract - or vanilla essence
    • Eggs - ensure the eggs are at room temperature before using. Use large eggs (approximately 60g each).
    • Milk - I recommend using full cream milk (at room temperature) for the best results.
    • Self-Raising Flour - sift the flour before using. If you don't have self-raising flour, you can make your own by sifting 2 teaspoon baking powder through every 1 cup of plain flour
    • Apples - peeled and cored. You can use any variety of apples you like.
    • Raw Sugar - for sprinkling on top. This ingredient is optional but HIGHLY recommended as it gives the topping a beautiful crunch.

    Equipment Required

    You will need a hand mixer or electric stand mixer for this cinnamon apple cake recipe. Alternatively, you can use a Thermomix machine.

    You will also need a greased and lined 22cm springform baking tin and an oven.

    Step By Step Instructions

    It takes just 10 minutes to prepare this simple cinnamon apple cake!

    Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.

    Step 1 - Prepare The Baking Pan

    Grease the bottom and sides of a 22cm springform pan. Line the base with baking paper.

    Preheat the oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). 

    Butter, sugar and cinnamon placed in a white bowl.

    Step 2 - Combine The Ingredients

    Beat the butter, caster sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and milk and beat until combined.  

    Eggs added to creamed mixture in a white bowl.
    Milk beng poured into the bowl of cake batter.

    Sift in the self-raising flour and beat until just combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.

    Flour sifted over batter in a mixing bowl.
    The cake batter beaten well in a white bowl.

    Step 3 - Assemble The Cake

    Unbaked cake assembled in a tin with slices of apple placed on top of batter..

    Cut the peeled apples into four sections and make deep slits in each section.

    Place the apples (round side facing up) onto the cake batter and press down lightly.

    Cinnamon and raw sugar sprinkled over top of unbaked cake.

    Step 4 - Sprinkle The Cinnamon & Sugar

    Sprinkle over the ground cinnamon and the raw sugar. 

    Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until the cake is cooked when tested with a skewer.

    Leave to cool in the baking pan for 20 minutes before placing it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

    Expert Tips

    • Use any apple variety that you like for this recipe. I prefer to use Pink Lady apples, but Granny Smith apples also work well.
    • If you don't have self-raising flour, you can use all-purpose flour. Just sift two teaspoons of baking powder through each cup of flour before adding it to the batter.
    • Insert a skewer in the middle of the cake to make sure it is cooked through. If the batter sticks to the fork, it needs to bake for longer.
    • Add a sheet of foil loosely over the top if the cake is over-browning.
    • This cake can be served at room temperature or warmed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Use gluten-free flour if you want to make this cake gluten-free.
    • For a dairy-free version of this recipe, use non-dairy milk and butter.
    A close up of a slice of cinnamon apple cake on a white plate.

    FAQ's

    What is the best variety of apples for apple cinnamon cake?

    Although Granny Smith is frequently used, the best apples for baking are Winesap, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Mutsu.

    Can Gala apples be used for apple cake?

    Using a variety of apples with a range of flavors and textures, including sweet, sour, crisp, and soft, is the secret to making a superb apple cake. Try using Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples together in your apple cake if you like your cake to be tart. Choose Gala or Fuji for a sweeter experience.

    How can I ensure my cake is moist and fluffy?

    To ensure your apple cinnamon cake is moist and fluffy, be sure not to over-mix your batter. You also want to use room temperature ingredients so that everything mixes together evenly. And finally, be sure not to over-bake your cake.

    An overhead shot of Apple cake baked with cinnamon and crunchy sugar sprinkled on top.

    Related Recipes

    This cinnamon apple cake recipe couldn't be easier, and it's the perfect autumn dessert! If you're looking for more easy apple recipes, you'll love these!

    Here are a few of my most popular apple recipes:

    • A plate topped with crunchy oat crumble, stewed apples and ice-cream.
      Easy Apple Crumble
    • A half eaten sweet scroll with apple and cinnamon.
      Apple & Cinnamon Scrolls
    • Fluffy sponge with apple underneath and ice cream on top.
      Apple Sponge Pudding | Eve's Pudding
    • Homemade Apple Crumble Slice filled with sweet apple slices and topped with an oat streusel crumble. Serve it cold or warm it up for a decadent dessert!
      Apple Crumble Slice

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    Apples and cinnamon on top of a round cake.

    Cinnamon Apple Cake

    If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make cake, look no further than this cinnamon apple cake. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a moist and delicious cake prepped, baked and ready to eat in under an hour!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cakes, desserts
    Cuisine: cakes, western
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 serves
    Calories: 230kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 125 g butter softened to room temperature
    • 165 g (¾ cup) caster sugar superfine sugar
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla essence
    • 2 eggs approx 60g each, room temperature
    • 125 ml (½ cup) milk full cream, room temperature
    • 225 g (1 ½ cups) self-raising flour sifted
    • 2 apples cored and peeled
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for sprinkling
    • 3 tablespoon raw sugar for sprinkling, optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Conventional Method

    • Grease the bottom and sides of a 22cm springform pan. Line the base with baking paper.
    • Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). 
    • Beat the butter, caster sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.  
    • Add the eggs and milk and beat until combined.  
    • Sift in the self-raising flour and beat until just combined. 
    • Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.
    • Cut the peeled apples into 4 sections and make deep slits in each section. Place the apples (round side facing up) onto the cake batter and press down lightly.
    • Sprinkle over the ground cinnamon and the raw sugar. 
    • Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until the cake is cooked when tested with a skewer.
    • Leave to cool in the baking pan for 20 minutes before placing onto a wire rack to cool completely.

    Thermomix Method

    • Grease the bottom and sides of a 22cm springform pan. Line the base with baking paper.
    • Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). 
    • Cream butter, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract together for 30 seconds, Speed 4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Add the eggs and milk and beat for a further 20 seconds, Speed 3.
    • Add the self-raising flour and combine for 20 seconds, Speed 4.
    • Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.
    • Cut the peeled apples into 4 sections and make deep slits in each section. Place the apples (round side facing up) onto the cake batter and press down lightly.
    • Sprinkle over the ground cinnamon and the raw sugar. 
    • Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until the cake is cooked when tested with a skewer.
    • Leave to cool in the baking pan for 20 minutes before placing onto a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    • Use any apple that you like for this recipe. I prefer to use Pink Lady apples, but Granny Smith apples also work well, or you can use a combination of sweet and tart apples.
    • If you don't have self-raising flour you can use all-purpose flour. Just sift two teaspoons of baking powder to every 1 cup of plain flour before adding it to the batter.
    • Insert a skewer in the middle of the cake to make sure it is cooked through. If the batter sticks to the fork, it must bake for longer.
    • Add a sheet of foil loosely over the top if the cake is over-browning.
    • This cake can be served at room temperature or warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Use gluten-free flour if you want to make this cake gluten-free.
    • For a dairy-free version of this recipe, use non-dairy milk and butter.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

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    Comments

    1. Shaylee says

      January 28, 2025 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great recipe! Always makes a great cake

      Reply
    2. Greckah says

      May 08, 2024 at 8:46 am

      Can I use frozen apples?

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        May 09, 2024 at 6:49 am

        Sure!

        Reply
    3. Caroline says

      October 02, 2023 at 5:00 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely gorgeous recipe thanks so much for sharing Lucy..our friends loved it.

      Reply
      • Lucy says

        October 03, 2023 at 8:25 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    5 from 11 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

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