This Cinnamon Apple Cake recipe offers the perfect balance of warm cinnamon, tender apples, and moist cake, making it a delightful treat for any occasion. Its simplicity makes it accessible for bakers of all levels, while its rich flavors and comforting aroma evoke a sense of home and warmth.
The combination of tart apples and sweet cake batter creates a harmonious blend of flavors, while the hint of cinnamon adds a nostalgic touch. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven with a dollop of whipped cream or as a cozy snack with a cup of tea, this Cinnamon Apple Cake is sure to bring joy and satisfaction with every bite.
Its versatility allows for easy customization, whether you prefer a denser crumb or extra caramel drizzle. Overall, this recipe embodies the essence of comfort baking, providing a delicious and heartwarming dessert that will be cherished by all who taste it.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some serving suggestions for your Cinnamon Apple Cake:
- Whipped Cream: Serve each slice of Cinnamon Apple Cake with a dollop of whipped cream on top. The creamy texture and light sweetness of the whipped cream complement the warm flavors of the cake.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Pair the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic and indulgent dessert combination. The cold and creamy ice cream contrasts beautifully with the warm cake.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle each slice of cake with warm caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness and indulgence. The caramel adds a rich flavor that enhances the caramelized notes of the apples.
- Coffee or Tea: Enjoy a slice of Cinnamon Apple Cake with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a cozy and comforting treat. The warm beverage complements the warm spices in the cake.
- Fresh Fruit: Serve the cake with a side of fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a refreshing and colorful accompaniment.
- Nuts: Sprinkle chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts over each slice of cake for added crunch and texture. The nuts complement the flavors of the cake and add a satisfying bite.
- Dusting of Powdered Sugar: Dust each slice of cake with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar for a simple and elegant presentation. The powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and enhances the visual appeal of the dessert.
- Cinnamon Stick Garnish: Garnish each slice of cake with a cinnamon stick for a decorative touch that reinforces the warm cinnamon flavor of the cake.
- Holiday Decorations: For special occasions or holidays, decorate the cake with seasonal decorations such as edible flowers, chocolate shavings, or festive sprinkles.
- Serve Warm: For the ultimate comfort, serve the Cinnamon Apple Cake warm, straight from the oven. The warm cake is extra cozy and comforting, perfect for chilly evenings or special gatherings.
With these serving suggestions, you can elevate your Cinnamon Apple Cake and create a memorable dessert experience for yourself and your guests. Enjoy the delicious flavors of warm cinnamon and sweet, juicy apples in every bite!
Cooking Tips
Here are some cooking tips to help you make the best Cinnamon Apple Cake:
- Choose the Right Apples: Use firm, tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture in your cake. These varieties hold their shape well when baked and provide a nice contrast to the sweet cake batter.
- Dice Apples Uniformly: When dicing the apples, aim for uniform pieces to ensure even distribution throughout the cake. This helps prevent some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked.
- Coat Apples in Flour: Toss the diced apples in a little bit of flour before adding them to the batter. This helps prevent the apples from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mix the cake batter until just combined. Overmixing can result in a dense and tough cake. Stop mixing as soon as there are no more streaks of flour visible.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature before mixing the batter. Room temperature ingredients blend together more easily and result in a smoother batter.
- Test for Doneness: Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness. Insert it into the center of the cake—if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. If there’s wet batter clinging to the toothpick, continue baking.
- Cool Completely Before Slicing: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before removing it from the pan and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slicing the cake while it’s still warm can cause it to fall apart.
- Store Properly: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for longer storage, but be aware that refrigeration can dry out the cake.
- Serve with Warm Caramel Sauce: For an extra indulgent treat, serve slices of Cinnamon Apple Cake with warm caramel sauce drizzled over the top. The caramel adds a rich and decadent touch that pairs perfectly with the warm spices and sweet apples.
- Enjoy Fresh or Reheat: Enjoy slices of Cinnamon Apple Cake fresh from the oven or reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving. Warm cake is extra cozy and comforting, especially on chilly days.
With these cooking tips, you’ll be able to make a delicious Cinnamon Apple Cake that’s moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe
This Cinnamon Apple Cake is perfect for any occasion, from cozy gatherings to special celebrations. The combination of tender cake, warm cinnamon, and juicy apples makes it a delightful treat that's sure to please everyone.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups diced apples peeled and cored
- ¼ cup brown sugar for topping
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients:In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Dry Ingredients Alternately with Sour Cream:Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Apples:Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour Batter into Pan:Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
- Prepare Topping:In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping.
- Sprinkle Topping:Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top of the cake batter.
- Bake:Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve:Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve the cinnamon apple cake on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Enjoy:Enjoy the moist and flavorful Cinnamon Apple Cake as a delicious dessert or snack!