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Home » Baking » Apple Cinnamon Cake

Published: September 10, 2015 Last Modified: December 28, 2018 By Sara 27 Comments

Apple Cinnamon Cake

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A recipe for buttery cake full of fresh apples and cinnamon, finished off with a touch of honey.

This apple cinnamon cake is fresh apples coated in cinnamon sugar then baked into a buttery vanilla cake base. A delicious fall treat that’s perfect as is or served with a scoop of ice cream on top.

When apples are in season, apple cake is a must-make recipe. This version has a light butter cake base and is topped with a pile of sweetened apples.

Apple Cinnamon Honey Cake Recipe | Apple Cinnamon Honey Cake | Apple Cake | Best Apple Cinnamon Honey Cake

A recipe for a buttery cake full of cinnamon sugar apples and topped with honey.

This apple cinnamon cake just screams fall, doesn’t it? Too bad it’s 105 degrees here in California. Hopefully it’ll cool off someday…like maybe in November. In the meantime, I’ll still be cooking with apples and this cake is definitely going on the regular rotation. It’s a simple, homey dessert that doesn’t require a lot of prep time but tastes like you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen. 

We have an apple tree in our yard, and the apples it produces are better for cooking and baking than eating out of hand. I make a lot of applesauce with a few baked goods thrown in such as this apple cinnamon honey cake. The girls have been asking to make an apple pie so we’ll have to do that soon too.

A recipe for a buttery cake full of cinnamon sugar apples and topped with honey.

How do you make apple cinnamon cake?

This cake consists of a simple batter which is then covered with a mass of sliced apples that have been coated in cinnamon and sugar. The apples soften and sink into the cake as they bake, making a pretty pattern on the top.

A recipe for a buttery cake full of cinnamon sugar apples and topped with honey.

After the cake comes out of the oven the top is brushed with honey. I’m going to be totally honest and tell you that I initially brushed the top of the cake with honey primarily for aesthetic purposes, but it truly adds a great finishing touch to this simple yet delicious treat. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream if that’s your kind of thing.

A recipe for a buttery cake full of cinnamon sugar apples and topped with honey.

The texture of this cake is almost like a blondie – think buttery blondie base topped with the amazing cinnamon sugar apples and honey. This is the perfect treat for a fall day when you want a little something sweet – hopefully your fall weather will not be as warm as my fall weather! It’s also a great cake to celebrate Rosh Hashanah the Jewish New Year, where apples and honey symbolize the promise and hope for a sweet new year.

Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

A recipe for a buttery cake full of cinnamon sugar apples and topped with honey.

More delicious apple recipes

  • Apple Nachos
  • Slow Cooker Apple Cider
  • Apple Pork Chops
  • Caramel Apple Dip
  • Apple Fries

Apple Cinnamon Cake Video


A recipe for buttery cake full of fresh apples and cinnamon, finished off with a touch of honey.
Print Pin
4.75 from 4 votes

Apple Cinnamon Cake

This apple cinnamon cake is fresh apples coated in cinnamon sugar then baked into a buttery vanilla cake base. A delicious fall treat that's perfect as is or served with a scoop of ice cream on top.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 12 squares
Calories 147kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar divided use
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter 1 stick, melted
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 3 to 4 tart apples such as granny smith
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • cooking spray
  • whipped cream or ice cream for serving if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, 1 cup sugar and salt. Stir in the eggs, butter and vanilla. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  • Squeeze lemon juice into a medium bowl. Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples into the bowl. Add the cinnamon and sugar and toss to thoroughly coat each apple slice. Arrange the apple slices on top of the batter in overlapping rows, pressing lightly into the batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes. Brush the top of the cake with the honey. Cut into squares and serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

Notes

Little Helpers: Let the kids toss the apples in the cinnamon and sugar and arrange the apples on top of the cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.7mg
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Filed Under: Baking, Comfort Food, Dessert

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    Comments

    1. Karen Bacolod says

      May 1, 2019 at 11:45 pm

      Delicious effing cake. Tasted even better than it looked!!

      Reply
    2. Jenna says

      September 3, 2018 at 6:38 pm

      Could you use gluten free flour to make this gluten free?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        September 3, 2018 at 9:18 pm

        Yes that should work!

        Reply
    3. Debbie says

      September 14, 2017 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I just made this at it was amazing! Perfect recipe!

      Reply
    4. skirek says

      September 25, 2015 at 6:31 am

      Love it! Thanks for recipe! These look incredible…

      Reply
    5. Jennifer Stewart says

      September 22, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      This is such a gorgeous dessert! I can’t wait to show up at Thanksgiving with this beautiful thing! Thanks for sharing with Saucy Saturdays

      Reply
    6. Lauren @ Create Bake Make says

      September 21, 2015 at 1:22 pm

      Oh my goodness this cake is stunning! Thank you for linking up with us for Fabulous Foodie Fridays, I hope you are having a great week 🙂

      Reply
    7. Erin @ Thanks for Cookin'! says

      September 20, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      I am currently (im)patiently waiting for the apples on our two trees to ripen a little more and this recipe is not making the wait any easier! What a fantastic recipe.

      Reply
    8. Angeline P says

      September 19, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      Wow this looks amazing! You had me at “think blondie base.” I love blondies and I love apples! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply
    9. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

      September 14, 2015 at 8:15 am

      I am with you on the weather!! It needs to cool down! This cake is gorgeous though and would put me in the mood for fall despite the heat 😉

      Reply
    10. Justine | Cooking and Beer says

      September 14, 2015 at 7:23 am

      You had me at “buttery cake!” This cake is definitely something I can handle, and it’s so pretty too! Love it for fall!

      Reply
    11. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

      September 12, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      How cool that you have an apple tree in your yard! This cake looks so delicious! I could definitely go for a slice or two!

      Reply
    12. Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says

      September 12, 2015 at 7:48 am

      This cake is just gorgeous! 🙂 And can I just say how incredibly jealous I am that you have an apple tree in your yard??

      Reply
    13. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

      September 11, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      What a beautiful cake! The presentation is just gorgeous!

      Reply
    14. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says

      September 11, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      This needs to be the poster child recipe for the fall! One gorgeous looking cake for sure!

      Reply
    15. Kelley Orthwein says

      September 11, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      This Apple Cake is gorgeous!

      Reply
    16. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says

      September 11, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      That cake is just beautiful! My sister always gives me a ton of apples in the fall from her tree so I do a ton of baking and applesauce making every year with them too! This cake will have to go on the list!

      Reply
    17. Erin @ Simple, Sweet & Savory says

      September 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm

      I think apple + cinnamon has to be one of my favorite flavor combos ever. These look amazing and perfect for fall. Pinning!

      Reply
    18. Olivia @ livforcake says

      September 11, 2015 at 9:10 am

      Omg Sara, this looks and sounds AMAZING!! Like, this may be one of the prettiest cakes/desserts I have ever seen. I wish I could have a piece with my morning coffee!

      Reply
    19. Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says

      September 11, 2015 at 5:08 am

      WOW this is a beautiful cake! Perfect way to use up those fall apples.

      Reply
    20. Sarah says

      September 11, 2015 at 3:07 am

      This is so beautiful! I love it-it’s the ultimate autumn recipe!

      Reply
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