Description
This classic Cinnamon Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for autumn or any time you crave a comforting treat. Made with diced apples, warm cinnamon, and a tender crumb, this cake combines the sweetness of fruit with the cozy aroma of spices. Optional chopped walnuts add a delightful crunch. It’s an easy-to-make cake baked to golden perfection, ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which will help give the cake a tender texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract to add a warm, aromatic flavor to the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Fold in Apples and Walnuts: Carefully fold in the diced apples and optional chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Fill the Pan: Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free, though texture may vary.
- For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter and substitute buttermilk with a mixture of plant-based milk and a tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Chopped walnuts add a nice crunch, but feel free to omit them if you have nut allergies or prefer a nut-free cake.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter after adding the flour to keep the cake tender and light.
- Apples vary in sweetness and moisture; tart apples like Granny Smith work well to balance the sweetness of the cake.
