Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

I absolutely love this Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe because it captures everything cozy and comforting about autumn in one delicious bite. When I first tried this cake, the combination of tender apple slices, warming cinnamon sugar, and a perfectly moist crumb just blew me away—it’s like a hug on a plate. Whether you’re baking for a weekend brunch or an impromptu get-together, this cake comes together pretty easily and always gets rave reviews.

You’ll find that this recipe balances fruitiness and spice beautifully, thanks to the reduced apple cider and apple butter in the batter. The cinnamon sugar topping adds a crisp, buttery crunch that takes the cake to the next level—literally! I think once you make it a few times, you’ll realize it’s your go-to apple dessert for the season.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic happens by thoughtfully combining some classic autumn flavors—like cinnamon and apples—with a few ingredient secrets that keep the cake tender and flavorful. Each ingredient plays a role in making this Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe truly shine.

• Apple cider: Reducing it concentrates natural sweetness and apple flavor—don’t skip this step!
• Coconut oil: Using melted coconut oil keeps the cake moist and adds a subtle hint of richness.
• Vanilla extract: Always enhances the sweetness and warms up the overall flavor.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together for that perfect cake texture.
• Honey or maple syrup: Natural sweeteners that add depth compared to plain sugar.
• Apple butter: Boosts apple flavor and moisture—such an easy flavor hack!
• All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together.
• Baking soda: Gives the cake a light lift, making it tender and soft.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and heightens the flavors.
• Apple or pumpkin pie spice: Adds those signature autumn warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Honeycrisp apples: I love these for their crispness and sweetness, thinly sliced so they bake perfectly.
• Cold salted butter: Grated for mixing with sugar and cinnamon, creates a delicious crunchy topping.
• Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon: The classic combo for that irresistible cinnamon sugar crust.

Variations

I like to switch things up depending on what I have and the season. This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe is a great base that welcomes your creative tweaks, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

• Nutty Crunch: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the topping gives a nice crunch and a rich flavor boost.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap coconut oil and apple butter to ensure it’s completely vegan and allergen-friendly.
• Spice Swap: Try cardamom or ginger in place of pumpkin pie spice for a fresh take.
• Fruit Mix-Up: Blend in some pears or even dried cranberries for extra texture and flavor complexity.

How to Make Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Reduce the Apple Cider

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze. Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Then, lower the heat to a simmer and let it gently reduce for 10-15 minutes until you have about ½ cup left. This will intensify the apple flavor and naturally sweeten the batter—don’t rush this step or your cake won’t have that signature depth.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

While the cider cools, grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the boiled cider, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, your choice of honey or maple syrup, and apple butter. I like using apple butter here because it adds moisture and richness without overpowering the cake. Mixing these well sets the stage for a perfectly moist cake crumb.

Step 3: Combine Your Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and your chosen apple or pumpkin pie spice. The spices are what give that warm, cozy flavor that screams fall. Once blended, gently fold the dry mix into your wet mixture just until combined—overmixing can make your cake tough.

Step 4: Fold in the Apples and Spread the Batter

Take your very thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples (the thinner, the better—they soften just right while baking without getting mushy) and carefully fold them into the batter. It will be pretty thick—that’s normal! Spread this evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the top gently with a spatula.

Step 5: Make and Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Now for the best part—the topping! Mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and grated cold salted butter in a bowl until you get those delightful clumps of cinnamon sugar and butter. Sprinkle this evenly over the surface of your cake. This topping will bake into a sweet, buttery crust that pairs perfectly with the tender apple cake beneath.

Step 6: Bake and Serve Warm

Bake in your preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the cake is just set—that means when you gently jiggle the pan, the cake shouldn’t feel liquidy, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs. Let it cool slightly, then serve warm with a pat of honey butter or simply on its own. Trust me, you’re going to want that warm, comforting taste right off the bat!

How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my slices with a dollop of honey butter or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to offset the warmth of the cinnamon. Sometimes, a drizzle of caramel sauce feels necessary, especially when sharing with family or guests. A sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts can also add a lovely crunch that pairs nicely with the soft cake.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a spiced chai tea. For brunch, I serve it alongside some crispy bacon or sausage—it’s a real crowd-pleaser when sweet meets savory. If you’re serving it as dessert, a simple green salad with a tart vinaigrette can be a nice contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to cut the cake into bite-sized squares and serve on a pretty platter with mini whipped cream dollops and cinnamon dusting. Another fun idea is to layer slices in a trifle bowl with cinnamon whipped cream for a show-stopping centerpiece. Using a springform pan instead of a baking dish can also give a more elegant shape for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover cake tightly in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The cake stays moist but the cinnamon sugar topping can soften a bit, which I don’t mind at all. For longer storage, the fridge works fine but just bring it back to room temp before enjoying to get some of that fresh-baked feel back.

Freezing

You can freeze this apple cake either whole (well wrapped) or in individual slices wrapped in foil and sealed in freezer bags. I’ve found it keeps really well up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temp—it’s great for make-ahead entertaining!

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I pop slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or heat briefly in a 325°F oven wrapped in foil to preserve moisture. This helps revive the cinnamon sugar crunchy topping and warms the apple flavor deliciously.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the kind of recipe that brings everyone together effortlessly. It’s not too fussy, uses ingredients you can find easily, and fills your home with a cozy aroma you’ll want lingering all day. I promise you, once you make this, it’ll become one of your favorite go-to apple desserts. So grab those apples, warm up your kitchen, and enjoy every cinnamon-spiced bite—your friends and family will thank you for it!

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