Description
This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert bursting with the warm spices of apple and pumpkin pie spice and sweetened naturally with apple butter and honey or maple syrup. Tender Honeycrisp apples are folded into a thick batter, topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar and butter mixture, and baked to perfection. Serve it warm with a dollop of salted honey butter for an extra indulgent treat that’s perfect for fall or any cozy occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/3 cup apple butter
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2-3 teaspoons apple or pumpkin pie spice
Fruits and Toppings
- 2-3 Honeycrisp apples, very thinly sliced
- 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, grated
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Reduce Apple Cider: Heat apple cider in a saucepan over high heat until it reaches a rolling boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled reduced apple cider, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, honey or maple syrup, and apple butter. Stir until fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, apple or pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Apples: Carefully fold the thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples into the thick batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Batter in Pan: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and grated cold salted butter until a clumpy texture forms. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter.
- Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is just set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Serve: Let the cake cool slightly before serving warm. For an extra special touch, serve with salted honey butter (combine 6 tablespoons butter, 6 tablespoons honey, and a pinch of sea salt) spread on top.
Notes
- Salted Honey Butter: Combine 6 tablespoons butter, 6 tablespoons honey, and a pinch of sea salt in a bowl for a sweet, salty spread that complements the cake.
- Pumpkin Spice Mix: Create your own blend by mixing 1/4 cup cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cloves, and 1 teaspoon allspice for an aromatic and flavorful spice alternative.
- Use Honeycrisp apples for the best texture and balance of sweetness and tartness.
- The batter will be thick due to the apples and flour—this is normal.
- Ensure the reduced apple cider is cooled before adding to prevent cooking the egg prematurely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/15th of cake)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
