I whipped up a delightful cake featuring tender apples, unsweetened applesauce and crunchy walnuts mixed with melted butter and vanilla extract. The blend of flour, sugar and cinnamon creates a balanced treat that stands out among dessert recipes using apples. I believe this treat will spark your curiosity.

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I’ve always been drawn to recipes that mix unexpected flavors, and this Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake totally caught my eye. I started with the basics – 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted to perfection – then added 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to bring it all together.

The real showstopper is the 1 cup unsweetened applesauce mixed with chopped apples that give the cake its tender texture and a burst of tang. I even tossed in 1 cup of chopped walnuts for that crunchy surprise.

A touch of ground cinnamon along with just the right amount of baking powder, baking soda and salt truly makes this dessert a standout. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a dessert that’s both unexpected and delicious, ideal for those fun baking sessions or when you’re experimenting with fall inspired treats.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I love how the apples and applesauce make the cake super moist, giving it a rich, lush texture that just melts in your mouth.
2. The cinnamon spice really fills my kitchen with a warm, inviting smell that makes me feel all cozy inside, especially on those cold days.
3. Adding chopped walnuts gives the cake a nice crunch that perfectly contrasts with the soft batter, and I dig that mix of textures.
4. I appreciate how simple the recipe is overall, so I can whip it up easily when I need a quick, comforting treat to go with my coffee or tea.

Ingredients

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All-purpose flour is the main carb, giving structure and energy to this cake.
Granulated sugar adds sweetness and flavor, balancing apple tartness in every bite.
Apples and applesauce provide natural fiber, moisture, and a subtle tang to the mix.
Chopped walnuts supply healthy fats and protein, plus a delightfully crunchy texture.
Melted unsalted butter enriches the cake, lending a smooth, indulgent flavor.
Lightly beaten eggs bind the ingredients and help achieve a fluffy texture.
Ground cinnamon provides warmth and aromatic spice that ties all flavors together.
Vanilla extract deepens the sweet profile, mixing beautifully with other ingredients.

Ingredient Quantities

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter or non-stick spray.

2. In a large bowl, sift together the 2 cups of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.

3. In another bowl, whisk 2 lightly beaten eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar until it’s well mixed.

4. Stir in the 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup unsweetened applesauce until the mixture looks smooth.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix!

6. Fold in the 2 chopped medium apples (peeled and cored) and 1 cup of chopped walnuts evenly into the batter.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Slice and serve with your favorite coffee or tea, and enjoy this cozy, moist dessert!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. 9-inch cake pan (greased)
3. Large mixing bowl (for dry ingredients)
4. Medium mixing bowl (for eggs and sugar)
5. Sifter (for flour, baking powder, etc.)
6. Whisk (to beat eggs and sugar)
7. Spatula (to evenly spread batter)
8. Measuring cups and spoons (to measure ingredients)
9. Knife and cutting board (for chopping apples)
10. Wire cooling rack (for cooling the cake)
11. Toothpick (to test for doneness)

FAQ

Q: Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

A: Yes, you can totally switch up the apples. Granny Smith works great if you want a tangier taste, but feel free to try Honeycrisp too. Just keep in mind some apples are sweeter than others so you might need to tweak the sugar a bit.

Q: Do I need to peel and core the apples?

A: It's a good idea to peel and core the apples so you get a consistent texture and avoid any tough bits in your cake.

Q: How do I know when the cake is done?

A: The best way is to stick a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready. Ovens can vary so check a few minutes before the end of the baking time.

Q: How should I store the cake?

A: Just store it in an airtight container at room temp. If you need it to last longer, you can pop it in the fridge, just let it come to room temp before serving.

Q: Can I make any substitutions to this recipe?

A: Sure can! You could try using a different nut like pecans instead of walnuts if that's what you have on hand, or use a bit more applesauce if you don't have any melted butter. Just remember that substituting ingredients can impact the texture and flavor a little bit.

EASY CINNAMON APPLE CAKE Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of all-purpose flour, you can use a gluten free flour blend if you want a different texture in your cake
If you dont have granulated sugar, brown sugar works nice but you might need to reduce the liquid a bit
You can replace the unsalted butter with an equal amount of coconut oil or margarine if youre out of butter
Not holding eggs? Try using 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce as a substitute for each egg
If you dont like walnuts, go ahead and use pecans or almonds, they add a good crunch too

Pro Tips

1. Using eggs and applesauce at room temperature can really help, since these ingredients mix better and you won’t get any lumps in your batter.
2. Don’t skip sifting the flour and spices; even though it adds an extra step, its really worth it to make sure your cake is light and fluffy.
3. Be careful when folding in the apples and walnuts. Over stirring can make your cake dense so mix them in gently until they’re just evenly distributed.
4. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before slicing, as it will keep its structure better and the extra heat won’t make it soggy in the middle.

EASY CINNAMON APPLE CAKE Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

300

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. 9-inch cake pan (greased)
3. Large mixing bowl (for dry ingredients)
4. Medium mixing bowl (for eggs and sugar)
5. Sifter (for flour, baking powder, etc.)
6. Whisk (to beat eggs and sugar)
7. Spatula (to evenly spread batter)
8. Measuring cups and spoons (to measure ingredients)
9. Knife and cutting board (for chopping apples)
10. Wire cooling rack (for cooling the cake)
11. Toothpick (to test for doneness)

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter or non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, sift together the 2 cups of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.
In another bowl, whisk 2 lightly beaten eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar until it's well mixed.
Stir in the 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup unsweetened applesauce until the mixture looks smooth.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix!
Fold in the 2 chopped medium apples (peeled and cored) and 1 cup of chopped walnuts evenly into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Slice and serve with your favorite coffee or tea, and enjoy this cozy, moist dessert!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.