Bake This Moist and Fragrant Cinnamon Apple Cake for the Perfect Dessert

Imagine taking a bite of moist, tender cake full of warm cinnamon and fresh apples. It is that kind of treat that makes you feel like a cozy hug, perfect for a chilly day, at family gatherings, or an evening snack with chai. If you love comforting desserts that are easy to make, a cinnamon apple cake is a must try. But whatever season you bake this, the sweet spicy aroma it would fill in your kitchen is just an excuse to bake it again and again.

Apples and cinnamon are just one of those classic pairings, for a reason. They work together to create a warming, slightly spiced flavor that's perfectly balanced. And the best part? This recipe doesn't need any kind of fancy ingredients or techniques. Just mix it all up and bake and dig in. Here are some useful tips as well about how your cake might turn out moist and smooth based on simple variations that might create something personal to your taste.

Ready to give your kitchen an aromatic flavor and amaze your family with an incredible dessert? Let’s dive into the recipe and discover all its secrets in making a moist, fragrant, and utterly divine cinnamon apple cake!

Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples, peeled and cored, then chopped up into very tiny pieces
• Handful chopped nuts (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour the 8-inch round cake pan.
2. Sift in the dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt into a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil or butter when melted with addition of eggs and vanilla extract.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Do not overmix, as this tends to make the cake too dense. Fold in chopped apples and nuts if using, until they are evenly distributed. Pour into prepared pan, smoothing top of batter. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Why Do Apples and Cinnamon Pair So Well?

There’s something magical about the combination of apples and cinnamon. Cinnamon adds warmth with a hint of spice and cozy aroma that balances the natural sweetness of apples really well. That slight tartness from the apples balances out the bold, pronounced flavor of cinnamon in every bite, making it pleasingly delicious. What makes this taste combination very popular is that cinnamon leaves the fruit's natural flavors intact, opening the palate to an experience that is comfortingly familiar. From pies to cakes to spiced apples, this combination has won hearts everywhere, especially when it is part of a moist, fragrant cake!

How to Make the Cake Extra Moist

To make sure your cake stays wonderfully moist, there are a few tricks and substitutes you can use:

Oil vs. Butter: Like many cakes, using oil instead of butter really makes this cake extremely moist. Use vegetable or canola oil for the best results, but if you are a butter lover, go ahead and use melted butter, you will still end up with a tender, moist crumb.

Greek Yogurt or Buttermilk: Adding some spoons of Greek yogurt or buttermilk may also add more moisture and tenderness to the cake. Use Greek yogurt as a replacement for ¼ cup of oil or add some buttermilk to the batter.

Brown Sugar: Replace half of the granulated sugar with brown sugar to get a deep, caramelized flavor that keeps the cake soft and moist.

Applesauce: Adding a small amount, equating to about 2 tablespoons, really intensifies the fragrance and moisture coming from the high apple flavor of the cake. It’s also a good egg substitute if you’re looking for a vegan version.

Chopped Nuts: Adding nuts doesn't make the cake moister, but they do add texture and keep the cake interesting; each slice is always flavorful.

Tips for the Best Cinnamon Apple Cake Every Time

For a cake that is perfect in every respect, be it visually or true perfection, remember these simple tips:

Choice of Apples: For apples, choose crisp apples, a tad bit tart ones like Granny Smith or Fuji. The crunch they will retain as it bakes gives a welcome contrast to the sweet richness of the cake.

Do not Overmix: When mixing the wet and dry ingredients together, mix until they just combine. Over-mixing develops gluten in the flour, leaving the cake denser.

Check for Doneness Properly: Since this is a moist cake, check its doneness by putting a toothpick into the center after 30 minutes. If it comes out clean, then that means your cake is done. If not, you add another 5 minutes, and check again.

Let It Cool Before Cutting: Resist the temptation to cut into it right away. Once cooled, your cake can be approached with a knife, it will help to firm the cake up somewhat and then hold the pieces of cake better.