Description
A simple, one-bowl apple cinnamon cake that comes together in under 45 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dense, spiced cake stays moist for days and requires no fancy techniques or equipment.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 medium apples, peeled and diced (1/2-inch cubes)
- Optional: 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp cold butter for streusel topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until no lumps remain.
- In a separate bowl or the same one, whisk the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and incorporated.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the diced apples gently to distribute them evenly without crushing them.
- If using streusel topping, sprinkle it over the batter now.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
Use room temperature eggs for best results. Ensure apples are diced uniformly for even baking. Do not overmix the batter to avoid a tough texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple cinnamon cake, homemade cake, one bowl dessert, quick dessert, fall baking, moist cake, weeknight dinner hack