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Home » Recipes » Dessert

Easy Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

Published: May 7, 2024 by Tara Gerner · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This moist, tender apple cake with cinnamon glaze is a tasty treat you can whip up in under an hour. Minimal prep but made from scratch, and ready to serve while it’s still warm – the perfect effortless dessert to impress everyone!

Side view of an apple cake slice on a plate with the whole apple cake on a stand in the background.
This apple cake is an easy dessert that will get raving reviews!
Contents hide
1 🛍️ Ingredients
2 🍎 The Best Apples to Use
3 ⏲ Equipment
4 👩‍🍳 Instructions
5 💡 Recipe Tips
6 🔄 Substitutions
7 ⚡ Variations
8 🍱 Storage
9 🍽️ Serving Suggestions
10 🥧More Easy Apple Desserts To Try
11 ❓FAQ
12 Easy Apple Cake

This classic apple cake is the real deal – no box mixes here! The tender crumb packed with sweet apples and a crunchy cinnamon topping is always a crowd-pleaser. The sweet glaze is the finisher that makes it even more irresistible.

Ready to enjoy the perfect apple cake? Let’s get baking!

🛍️ Ingredients

Top view of ingredients for homemade apple cake with cinnamon glaze.
Apple cake ingredients.

See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements.

Batter

🛒All-purpose flour

🛒Baking powder

🛒Baking soda

🛒White sugar

🛒Apples (one sweet and one tart, peeled and diced)

🛒Eggs

🛒Vanilla bean paste (or an equal amount of vanilla extract) – Vanilla bean paste is the best option but the extract works well too. You can also use a vanilla extract substitute such as vanilla powder.

🛒Vegetable oil – Melted butter can be used as a substitute but the cake might end up having a denser and slightly drier texture.

🛒Greek yogurt – Sour cream is a viable substitute although it will increase the calorie count a bit.

Cinnamon Topping

🛒White sugar – The base of the cinnamon topping.

🛒Ground cinnamon -The perfect complement to apples.

🛒Unsalted butter, melted – This provides the richness and moisture to make a topping that binds well.

Glaze

🛒Powdered sugar

🛒Milk – You can use dairy or non-dairy milk.

🍎 The Best Apples to Use

The apple variety you use for the cake will have an impact on the final flavor and texture. This recipe requires one sweet apple and one tart apple. Here are the best ways to approach this:

Use two apples of the same variety, as I did for my cake mix apple crisp.

Use two different apples (one sweet and one tart), the same way I did for my Cracker Barrel copycat fried apples. This will give your cake a richer flavor compared to using a single variety.

Best Apples For Baking

Whatever combination of apples you choose, they must both be labeled good for baking. The apples intended for eating raw won’t hold their shape in the oven.

Tart apples for baking:

  • Granny Smith
  • Braeburn
  • Jonathan
  • Pacific Rose

Sweet apples for baking:

  • Honeycrisp
  • Jazz
  • Cosmic Crisp
  • Pink Lady
  • Fuji

⏲ Equipment

✅Knife

✅Cutting board

✅Mixing bowls

✅Measuring cups and spoons

✅Whisk

✅9-inch cake pan

✅Parchment paper (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions 

Make The Batter

👉Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

👉Step 2: Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.

👉Step 3: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Mixing dry ingredients and diced apples in a large bowl for apple cake.
Mix the dry ingredients and diced apples.

👉Step 4: Add the chopped apples and stir to combine.

Top view of mixing bowl with wet ingredients for apple cake.
Give the wet ingredients a quick stir.

👉Step 5: In a smaller bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla, oil, and yogurt briefly to break up the egg yolks.

Top view of wet and dry ingredients for apple cake in a large mixing bowl.
Combine wet and dry ingredients.

👉Step 6: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Don’t overmix – an even texture is all you need.

Spooning apple cake batter in a round baking pan.
Spread the batter to form an even layer.

👉Step 7: Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan.

Make The Cinnamon Topping

👉Step 1: In a small bowl combine the cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter. Mix with a fork until lumpy and wet.

Top view of apple cake batter in a cake pan and cinnamon topping in a small bowl.
Spread cinnamon topping all over the cake.

👉Step 2: Sprinkle over the cake batter.

Bake

Top view of baked apple cake with cinnamon crunch topping in a round baking pan.
The toothpick test will let you know when the cake is done.

👉Step 1: Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

👉Step 2: Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes.

Make The Glaze

Adding sugar and milk into a small bowl to make a glaze.
Dump, stir, and mix the glaze ingredients.

👉Step 1: Mix the powdered sugar and one tablespoon of milk to make the glaze.

Top view of prepared glaze for apple cake in a small bowl.
You can adjust the consistency by adding more milk.

👉Step 2: Stir until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk.

Top view of freshly glazed apple cake with cinnamon crunch.
Serve freshly glazed for an impressive display!

👉Step 3: For the best presentation, drizzle the glaze over the cake right before serving.

💡 Recipe Tips

📌Even Apple Distribution | After pouring the batter, use a spoon or spatula to gently spread the apples for an even layer.

📌Remove Air Bubbles | Gently tap the cake pan on the counter 2-3 times before putting it into the oven. This will release any air bubbles that might have formed when you poured the cake batter in.

📌Glaze Timing | For a glossy finish, glaze the cake when it’s completely cool, as close to serving as possible. Glazing the cake while warm will allow it to soak offering a different presentation but still delicious.

🔄 Substitutions

🔹Greek yogurt | Swap out the Greek yogurt for full-fat sour cream for a slightly tangier and richer flavor.

🔹Cinnamon | You could substitute apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice for the plain cinnamon in the recipe for a warmer, more complex spice blend.

🔹Powdered sugar glaze | You can replace the powdered sugar glaze with homemade caramel sauce for an extra sweet treat. Instructions for this are below in the Serving Suggestions section.

⚡ Variations 

👍Other Fruit | This easy apple cake with cinnamon glaze is yummy, but you can have fun trying it with other fruits such as peaches, nectarines, or pears. Remember that peaches and nectarines will make the cake softer and spoil faster, so store it in the fridge and eat it within 3 days.

👍Gluten-Free | To make this cake gluten-free, substitute your favorite gluten-free baking mix for the all-purpose flour in a 1:1 ratio.

👍Lower Calorie | You can lower the calorie count in this recipe by using low-fat Greek yogurt instead of the regular kind. Also, applesauce can be used instead of oil in the batter.

👍Add Nuts | I love cakes with nuts; this apple cake is no exception. Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for a nice crunch in the finished cake.

👍Caramel Sauce Variation | Skip the glaze and use caramel sauce – another excellent option to complement the apple flavor perfectly. Here’s how to make it:

  • Mix one packed cup of dark brown sugar, ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, a pinch of salt, and ½ cup heavy cream in a small saucepan.
  • Whisk gently and cook over medium-low heat for 7 to 10 minutes.
  • Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before drizzling over your cake.
  • Drizzle right before serving if you don’t want the sauce to soak into the cake.

👍Bake In A Different Pan | I recommend a 9-inch round cake pan for this cake, but you could just as easily cook it in a bundt pan or a loaf pan. They are taller so expect a longer cooking time.

Check out our free printable baking pan conversion chart for more options.

👍Make Muffins | This wet batter works just as well for making apple cake muffins. Check for doneness at 20 minutes and then every 5 minutes. The muffins will cook faster than the cake.

🍱 Storage

🍰Room Temperature | Store any leftover cake in an airtight container on the counter for 2 to 3 days. 

🧊Freezer | Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, then store it in the freezer for up to one month.

Remove from the freezer and allow to come to room temperature before serving. If you want to serve it warm, heat it in the oven at 250ºF for about 10 minutes or until just warm but not hot.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Top view of homemade apple cake with cinnamon glaze and one portioned slice.
This cake tastes fantastic warm and cold!

This homemade apple cake with cinnamon glaze is wonderful just as it is written, but here are some additional serving suggestions that you might enjoy:

⭐Apple Butter | You can add a dollop of apple butter to each slice of the cake as you serve it for an enhanced apple flavor. Yum!

⭐Ice Cream Or Whipped Cream | Add a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream or a dollop of real whipped cream to your cake. This is especially delicious if you serve the cake warm.

⭐Honey Butter | For a more decadent taste try drizzling a warm slice with honey butter before serving (mix 3 tablespoons each of softened butter and honey, plus a pinch of sea salt).

🥧More Easy Apple Desserts To Try

If you love apples and apple desserts as much as me, then you might want to try more of our favorite recipes:

  • Air Fryer Apple Roses
  • No Peel Apple Crisp
  • Easy Apple Strudel Recipe With Apple Cinnamon Icing
  • Marshmallow Apple Pie Spice Dump Cake
  • Air Fryer Apple Caramel Hand Pies
  • Slow Cooker Apple Dump Cake

❓FAQ

What kind of flour is best in this cake?


The best kind of flour for this apple cake is all-purpose flour or the same amount of gluten-free baking mix. Nothing fancy here!

This article originally appeared on Pink When.

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Side view of an apple cake slice on a plate with the whole apple cake on a stand in the background.

Easy Apple Cake

Super fast and easy apple cake using ingredients from your pantry makes the most delicious dessert that is perfect for Sunday night dinners or taking to a potluck.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 521kcal
Author: Ginny

Equipment

  • 9 inch Cake Pan Round
  • Whisk
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife
  • Parchment Paper optional

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
  • 2 tsp Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp Baking Soda
  • ¾ cup White Sugar
  • 1 cup Sweet Apple peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup Tart Apple peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste or vanilla extract
  • ½ cup Vegetable Oil
  • ½ cup Greek Yogurt

Glaze

  • ¼ cup Powdered Sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp Milk

Cinnamon Topping

  • ¼ cup White Sugar
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter melted

Instructions

Make The Batter

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  • Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
  • Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the chopped apples and stir to combine.
  • In a smaller bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla, oil, and yogurt briefly to break up the egg yolks.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Don’t overmix – an even texture is all you need.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan.

Cinnamon Topping

  • In a small bowl combine the cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter. Mix with a fork until lumpy and wet.
  • Sprinkle over the cake batter.

Bake

  • Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
  • Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes.

Glaze

  • Mix the powdered sugar and one tablespoon of milk to make the glaze.
  • Stir until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk.
  • For the best presentation, drizzle the glaze over the cake right before serving.

Notes

To store: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container on the counter for 2 to 3 days. 
To freeze: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, then store it in the freezer for up to one month. Remove from the freezer and allow to come to room temperature before serving. If you want to serve it warm, heat it in the oven at 250ºF for about 10 minutes or until just warm but not hot.
Apples in Every Bit: To ensure that every bite of the cake contains apples, ensure they are evenly distributed in the batter after pouring it into the cake pan. Use a spoon or spatula to move them around if you need to.
Release Air Bubbles: Gently tap the cake pan on the counter 2-3 times before putting it into the oven. This will release any air bubbles that might have formed when you poured the cake batter in.
Glaze Timing: For a glossy finish, glaze the cake when it’s completely cool, as close to serving as possible. Glazing the cake while warm will allow it to soak offering a different presentation but still delicious.
Serving Cake: This cake can be served warm or at room temperature. However, serving it warm does not mean straight out of the oven! It needs time to rest and cool slightly before serving. I recommend letting it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 108g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 410mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 68g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Tara Gerner
Tara Gerner

Tara Gerner is the founder and author of Feels Like Home, where she has shared simple, family-friendly recipes since 2007. If you don’t like cooking or don’t think you can cook, Tara can help. With her recipes in your repertoire, no one will ever question your cooking ability again.

feelslikehomeblog.com/
Easy Apple Cake with Cinnamon GlazeEasy Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze
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Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

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