A deliciously easy Cinnamon Apple Cake made from scratch. This soft and tender Apple Cake is packed with fresh apples and features a crunchy cinnamon topping and a drizzle of sweet frosting.
Apple-licious 🍎
Can we take a moment to talk about the match made in heaven that is apple and cinnamon? This terrifically tender Cinnamon Apple Cake is my new fave.
It’s soft, it’s sweet and it’s jam-packed with fresh, juicy apples. The final touch is a sprinkling of sugary cinnamon and a sweet milk glaze.
Can I just say that I never thought a Cinnamon Apple Cake could taste so good. I baked quite a few cakes to get this recipe JUST right and when I finally landed on the winning recipe, I was beyond excited.
One bite of this soft and fluffy masterpiece and I was fist-pumping the air. After many failed Apple Cinnamon Cakes, I instantly knew this one was the winner. Of course, I had to have a few more slices just to be oh-so-sure.
When I first attempted this cake, I started by using oil as the main fat. This is because oil tends to add moisture to baked goods, like in my Olive Oil Brownies or my Pistachio Cake. I love using oil in cakes.
The first cake was lovely and soft and the taste was on point. But the edges were a little dry for my liking. So I moved on to see if butter would work better, while also slightly altering the amount of flour and sugar.
Let’s just say, it didn’t. The first butter version used melted butter and the cake was heavy, dense and not great. To add lightness and get back closer to the original version, I tried creaming the butter and sugar, like I do in my Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donut recipe. It was better, but still nothing rivalled the oil version.
So finally, I returned to oil, but used a little less flour and added yoghurt to ensure the cake was soft, moist and never dry. It was crowned the WINNER.
What you have here is a melt-in-your-mouth cake that’s studded with fresh apples. It boasts a sugar cinnamon crumble, that once baked, becomes crisp and flavourful.
The cinnamon topping blends perfectly with the juicy, chunks of apple. Then, just because we can, we drizzle the entire cake with a two ingredient sweet sugar glaze. It’s pure perfection.
TIPS FOR MAKING APPLE CAKE
- This Cinnamon Apple Cake is incredibly easy to make. You only need a bowl and spoon – no need for an electric mixer.
- You can use any kind of apple you like, I use red Royal Gala apples. You’ll need to peel and then chop your apple into roughly 1/2 inch squares – discarding the core.
- Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredient until combined – try not to over mix.
- The crumble is made using sugar and cinnamon. Mix together using melted butter until it clumps like sand. Sprinkle over the top of your cake batter – no need to be perfect here.
- Bake until golden and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- The final touch? Drizzle over the sweet sugar glaze and serve!
Watch how to make it
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Hungry for more? Join me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more amazing recipe ideas.
Let’s Bake
Cinnamon Apple Cake
A tender Cinnamon Apple Cake drizzled with a milk glaze.
Ingredients
Apple cake
- 210 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) plain flour or all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 150 grams (3/4 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 cup (approximately 1 large) red apple, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) Greek yogurt
Cinnamon topping
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Sugar glaze
- 30 grams (1/4 cup) icing sugar or powdered sugar, sifted
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with baking or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Add chopped apple and stir briefly to combine.
- In a separate bowl, add eggs, vanilla, oil and yoghurt. Whisk briefly just to break up the egg yolks.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and gently mix with a wooden spoon until combined – but be careful not to over mix. Spoon batter into prepared tin.
- To make cinnamon topping, combine cinnamon, sugar and butter. Mix together until lumpy and wet. Sprinkle over cake batter.
- Bake cake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Transfer cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the glaze, mix together sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk. Stir until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk. Drizzle glaze all over the cake.
Judy says
I made this today and you are right – it is the best Apple cake. Very tasty and great to have for dessert on a cold night. The topping makes it special. Thank you for posting the recipe.
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it Judy!! Thank you for the lovely feedback!
Ilma Barbatiello says
Just made this cake I tweaked it a little by adding a cup of cooked apple with sultanas and a chopped raw apple……it is so moist absolutely delicious….thankyou for sharing this recipe…..
..
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Gunjan says
Hi Jessica.
SO I am a nervous baker at best. In fact a vegetarian, so eggs are my blind spot. But Yogurt is my sweet spot.
I made this cake – looking a your recipe 10 times . Its SO GOOD – even I took a second bite. Its Eid here tomorrow and am going t bake it for one of my friends, again!! Thank you.
Jessica Holmes says
Love hearing that!
Shahmina says
Hey! I made this yesterday and it turned out fantastic! My entire family LOVED it! I just didn’t use the frosting in the recipe since I had leftover orange buttercream frosting from the day before. Thank you!
Jessica Holmes says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it!
Brian says
Very simple recipe and was absolutely amazing! My son said it was the beat thing he’d ever eaten.
Jessica Holmes says
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback Brian!
Alysha Moore says
I havent got sour cream or yoghurt what could i use? Milk? Thanks
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Alyssa, buttermilk would be best.
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Vanessa, it keeps well in an airtight container for a few days or you can freeze it.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! Which apple variety is best to use?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Suzanne, I’ve tried with multiple types, mostly red ones, so I think just go with your favourite!
Andrea says
Hi! This looks so good, I can’t wait to try it. I was wondering if substituting vegetable oil with coconut oil would be fine?
Thank you!
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Andrea, I haven’t tried myself so I can’t say for sure but I think it could be ok – let me know if you try it!
Sandra says
i made this in a loaf, takes double the time to bake but i was still soft and moist! I substitute yoghurt with sour cream and it turn out fine too. Both of my toddlers enjoyed it! Would definitely bake this again, Thank you for the great recipe!
Jessica Holmes says
Love that! Thanks for the kind feedback Sandra!
Jk says
I cooked the apple 🍰 cake It was perfect
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Fiona says
This cake was super yum! The cinnamon crispy topping just made it! Will definitely make again!
Jessica Holmes says
So glad you enjoyed it Fiona!
Di says
This is the best cake I’ve ever made! So easy, so quick and so delicious! Thank you!
Jessica Holmes says
Love that! Thanks Di!
Colleen Hewson says
Can I use cane sugar instead of caster sugar in the cake mix?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Colleen, I haven’t tried it myself so I can’t say – sorry.
Sandra says
I am lactose intolerant and can’t have diary. Can I leave the yoghurt out or substitute for something else?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi Sandra, I haven’t tried it without the diary myself so I’m not sure.
Matt says
This recipe is wonderfully easy to follow and the taste is a just reward! I am locked inside right now so I’ve spent my time baking various goods, but this recipe definitely tops the lot!
Jessica Holmes says
Love hearing that Matt!!