Name: Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
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; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 2-3 teaspoons apple or pumpkin pie spice; 2-3 Honeycrisp apples, very thinly sliced; 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, grated; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that captures all the warm flavors of fall without any fuss, you’ve come to the right place! This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe is one of those gems I always keep in my recipe box for when I want something comforting yet pretty effortless. I absolutely love how the tender cake layers pair with the crisp, sweet apples and that intoxicating cinnamon sugar topping—it’s basically autumn happiness in every bite. Trust me, once you try this, your family will go crazy for it, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have almost everything in your pantry, which means less stress and fewer store runs.
Perfect Fall Flavors: The apple cider reduction and cinnamon sugar topping bring that cozy, nostalgic vibe straight to your kitchen.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to apple butter and coconut oil, this cake stays soft and delicious, even days later.
Impress Without Effort: You’ll wow guests with a dessert that looks and tastes homemade-bakery level, without spending hours.

The image shows nine square pieces of a crumbly dessert arranged closely, with one piece partially removed from the lower left corner, revealing a light golden inner layer beneath a thick, rough, brown sugar and cinnamon crumb topping. The dessert sits on parchment paper over a white marbled surface, enhancing the texture contrast. The top crumb layer is dark brown with visible chunks and uneven texture, while the inner layer is moist and pale yellow. Nearby, there is a white dish with more pieces and a white mug with a colorful floral design filled with a dark beverage, placed on the same white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake, Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake, Fall Apple Cake, Easy Autumn Dessert, Homemade Apple Cake

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe works together to create layers of flavor and fabulous texture. The apple cider reduction adds such a lovely depth while the grated cold butter in the topping creates that perfect buttery crunch. I like to choose Honeycrisp apples because they hold their shape and sweetness well.

Flat lay of thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples with their red and yellow skin, a small jar of golden apple butter, a pile of ground cinnamon powder, whole sticks of cinnamon, a mound of granulated sugar, a drizzle of warm amber maple syrup, a few cubes of cold salted butter, and a small glass of rich apple cider, all beautifully arranged with soft natural light, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake, Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake, Fall Apple Cake, Easy Autumn Dessert, Homemade Apple Cake

Apple cider: Fresh and unfiltered if possible, to get that vibrant apple flavor before reduction.
Coconut oil: Melted gently to mix smoothly; you can also use melted butter if you prefer.
Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla really makes the cake’s flavors pop.
Large egg: Binds everything together for a perfect cake texture.
Honey or maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and moisture—maple syrup gives a lovely earthy note.
Apple butter: This is your secret weapon for moistness and that extra apple punch.
All-purpose flour: Provides the structure you want in a cake that’s not too dense.
Baking soda: Leavens the cake gently for a tender crumb.
Kosher salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
Apple or pumpkin pie spice: The classic fall spice blend that warms everything up beautifully.
Honeycrisp apples: Must be very thinly sliced so they soften just right while baking.
Cold salted butter: Grated finely to sprinkle on top, creating those irresistible cinnamon sugar clumps.
Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon for the classic, crunchy topping.
Ground cinnamon: Because no cinnamon sugar apple cake is complete without it!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe is—feel free to tweak it based on what you have or your favorite flavors. I’ve played around with a few variations you might enjoy experimenting with yourself!

Spice it up: Sometimes I add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves for an even warmer spice profile, especially around the holidays.
Different apples: If Honeycrisp aren’t available, try Fuji or Pink Lady apples—they bake wonderfully too.
Gluten-free tweak: I’ve substituted cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blends with great results if you need a GF version.
Swap the sweetener: Maple syrup works beautifully if you want that richer, maple flavor over honey.

How to Make Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider for Maximum Flavor

Start by bringing your apple cider to a boil over high heat, then lower to a simmer for about 10–15 minutes until it’s reduced down to half a cup. This step concentrates the apple flavor and adds a subtle natural sweetness to the cake. Let it cool completely so it doesn’t scramble your eggs later!

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients Smoothly

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled apple cider reduction, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, honey (or maple syrup), and apple butter. You want this mixture to be silky and well combined—this is where the magic begins.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Fold in Apples

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, apple or pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined—overmixing can make the cake tough. Finally, fold in those ultra-thin slices of Honeycrisp apples gently; they add warmth and fruitiness without weighing the batter down.

Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Topping and Bake

Spread the thick batter evenly in a parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan. For the topping, mix together granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and grated cold salted butter until you get a crumbly, clumpy texture. Sprinkle generously over the batter so you get that sweet, buttery crunch. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30–40 minutes or until the cake is just set in the center.

Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy!

This cake shines when served warm, especially with a dab of honey butter or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I like to enjoy it fresh out of the oven because that cinnamon sugar crust is in its prime, but leftovers are still delicious the next day.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Don’t skip the cider reduction: It’s key for that rich apple flavor—watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.
Use grated butter for topping: This creates those perfect little clusters and prevents a greasy mess.
Thinly slice apples with a mandoline: It’s so much easier and keeps slices uniform for even baking.
Avoid overmixing batter: Fold gently after adding flour to keep your cake tender and light.

How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

A white plate holds two pieces of a crumbly dessert with a dark brown top layer sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar, revealing a lighter, softer inside with bits of nuts or fruit. A spoon scoops a piece of the dessert, showing its rough, textured surface. Nearby, a small white bowl filled with creamy butter is decorated with small orange and red flowers. The scene is set on a wooden table with a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake, Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake, Fall Apple Cake, Easy Autumn Dessert, Homemade Apple Cake

Garnishes

I love a simple dusting of powdered sugar to finish the cake off if it’s a bit cool. For extra indulgence, a swipe of honey butter or a dollop of whipped cream on top makes all the difference. Sometimes I even drizzle a little caramel sauce when I want to get fancy at holiday gatherings.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a cup of chai tea or a warm latte—perfect for a cozy afternoon treat. If you’re serving it as part of a brunch spread, fresh fruit or a crisp green salad balances the richness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to slice the cake into smaller squares and serve on pretty dessert plates with a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary for an herbal hint and a pretty touch. It also looks festive stacked with layers of cream cheese frosting or lightly drizzled with white chocolate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools completely, I store leftover cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration helps keep it fresh but may slightly firm up the topping.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing this cake—just wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw overnight in the fridge. The cake texture and flavor hold up surprisingly well, making it perfect to bake ahead for busy days.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I pop a slice in the microwave for about 20 seconds or reheat it in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes until warm and soft again. This revives that crisp cinnamon sugar topping beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this cake?

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples are fantastic for their sweet-tart flavor and firmness, you can also use Fuji, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith depending on whether you prefer sweeter or tarter notes. Just be sure to slice them thinly so they cook through nicely.
Is it okay to substitute butter for coconut oil?

Yes! Melted butter works wonderfully and can make the cake a bit richer. Coconut oil adds a subtle tropical undertone and keeps it dairy-free if that’s a priority for you.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The cake is ready when the edges pull slightly away from the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). It should be set but still tender.
Can I make this cake vegan?

To veganize, swap the egg with a flax or chia egg, use maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener, and replace the butter topping with a vegan margarine or coconut oil. It might change the texture slightly but still tastes delicious!

Final Thoughts

This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe has become one of my go-to desserts because it’s reliably delicious without any complicated steps or fancy ingredients. When I first tried it, I knew it was a keeper—there’s just something about those layered apple flavors married with cinnamon sugar crunch that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. I’m excited for you to make it in your kitchen and share it with the people you love. Plus, it’s perfect for those cozy weekend mornings or a simple treat any day of the week. Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out for you—I think you’re going to adore it as much as we do!