Description
This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake is a delightful, fall-inspired dessert that combines tender apples with warm spices and a sweet cinnamon sugar topping. Made moist and flavorful with apple cider reduction, apple butter, and a touch of honey or maple syrup, this cake is perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting treat any time of year.
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
For the Apple and Topping
- 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 to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Reduce Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely; this concentrated cider adds rich apple flavor to the cake.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the cooled reduced apple cider, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, honey or maple syrup, and apple butter until well combined.
- Combine 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 the very thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples carefully to evenly distribute them without breaking.
- Prepare the Batter: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and grated cold salted butter until a crumbly, clumpy texture forms. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar topping evenly over the surface of the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. The cake is done when the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. For an extra indulgence, serve warm with honey butter. Enjoy the cozy flavors and warm aromas of this quintessential fall treat!
Notes
- Better than the bakery, enjoy the warm smells of fall as this cake bakes away—a quintessential fall treat!
- Use Honeycrisp apples or any sweet-tart apple for the best flavor and texture.
- Grating the cold butter into the sugar topping helps create a crumbly, caramelized crust.
- Serving the cake warm enhances the flavors and makes it perfect for pairing with honey butter or vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 374 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
