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 anything like me, you know that nothing says cozy fall vibes quite like the sweet aroma of cinnamon and apples filling your kitchen. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share my Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe with you—it’s one of those desserts that feels comforting and special without a ton of fuss. Trust me, this cake turns out moist, tender, and packed with apple-cinnamon goodness that will have your family coming back for seconds!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples on hand, making it super easy to whip up.
Fabulous Flavor: The combination of reduced apple cider and warm spices creates a cake bursting with cozy fall flavor.
Great Texture: Tender crumb with juicy pockets of fresh apples—so satisfying every bite.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family snack or holiday gathering, this cake always impresses.

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 apple cake recipe, fall apple cake, moist apple dessert, cozy autumn cake

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients blend beautifully—apples, spices, and a touch of honey come together for natural sweetness and depth. I like to pick crisp Honeycrisp apples because they hold up well when baked and offer that perfect sweet-tart balance.

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 apple cake recipe, fall apple cake, moist apple dessert, cozy autumn cake

Apple cider: Reducing this concentrates flavor; fresh, quality cider really shines here.
Coconut oil: Adds moisture with a hint of nuttiness and is a great dairy-free fat option.
Vanilla extract: Elevates the cake’s aroma and sweet depth beautifully.
Large egg: Binds everything together for a tender texture.
Honey or maple syrup: Natural sweeteners that add warmth—you can pick what suits your taste!
Apple butter: Brings intense apple flavor and extra moisture—you won’t want to skip this.
All-purpose flour: The base of the cake, creates structure.
Baking soda: Helps the cake rise and keep it fluffy.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Apple or pumpkin pie spice: The heart of those warm, cozy notes—adjust to your preference!
Honeycrisp apples: Thinly sliced for tender bites throughout the cake.
Cold salted butter: Grated to create a beautiful cinnamon sugar topping that crisps up delightfully.
Granulated sugar: Mixes with cinnamon and butter for the signature crunchy topping.
Ground cinnamon: Pairs perfectly with apples and sugar in the topping and spice blend.

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 flexible the Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe is—you can make it your own with a few simple tweaks. I’ve tried some variations that really add personality, so don’t hesitate to play around!

Spice it up: For a warmer flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg to the spice blend—my family loves it with a little extra kick.
Swap the apples: Feel free to use other firm apples like Granny Smith or Fuji, depending on what you like or what you have.
Gluten-free option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum for similar texture (I’ve done this successfully!).
Make it vegan: Use flax eggs instead of large eggs and swap honey for maple syrup or agave to keep it fully plant-based.
Add nuts: Toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for some crunch—my kids always ask for this!

How to Make Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Step 1: Reduce the apple cider for intense flavor

Start by bringing your apple cider to a boil over high heat, then reduce it to simmer for 10-15 minutes until it’s thickened to about ½ cup. This step really concentrates that bright apple flavor, which forms the fragrant base of the cake. I always set the timer so I don’t forget, and let it cool completely before mixing it in.

Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients gently but thoroughly

In a large bowl, combine your cooled reduced cider, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, honey (or maple syrup), and apple butter. Stir until fully combined. I find a rubber spatula works best here to get everything evenly incorporated without overmixing.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients and fold in the apples

Next, add in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, your chosen spices (apple or pumpkin pie spice), and salt. Mix just until the flour disappears—you want to avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender. Then gently fold in those thinly sliced apples. The batter will feel thick and chunky, which is exactly right—the apples add beautiful moisture and bursts of sweetness.

Step 4: Prepare the cinnamon sugar topping

Using a separate bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and grated cold salted butter until you get clumpy, crumbly bits. This topping bakes into a slightly crunchy, buttery crust that makes this cake stand out. Sprinkle it evenly over the batter once it’s spread in the pan.

Step 5: Bake to perfection

Bake your cake in a 350°F oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is just set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. I usually check it at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking; it’s better to be slightly underdone than dry with this type of cake.

Step 6: Serve warm with honey butter

I absolutely love serving this cake warm and slathered with a pat of honey butter—that magical combo just takes it next level. If you don’t have honey butter ready-made, simple softened butter mixed with a drizzle of honey works perfectly. It melts into the cake and adds richness that’s hard to resist.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe

Use Thinly Sliced Apples: This helps the apples cook through and disperse evenly, giving every bite a juicy surprise.
Don’t Skip Reducing the Cider: It’s a small step that makes a huge flavor difference—you’ll notice a richer, deeper apple note in the cake.
Grate Butter for the Topping: Grating cold butter into the sugar mixture saves time and creates gorgeous, crumbly texture without clumps.
Watch Your Bake Time: Pull the cake out as soon as it’s set with a few moist crumbs to keep it tender and moist.

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 apple cake recipe, fall apple cake, moist apple dessert, cozy autumn cake

Garnishes

My go-to garnish is a simple drizzle of honey or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the natural sweetness without overpowering that cinnamon-apple flavor. For extra indulgence, a scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs incredibly well, especially when the cake is still warm.

Side Dishes

I often serve this cake alongside hot spiced tea or a steaming cup of coffee—it’s the ultimate cozy combo. For a heartier treat, a mild cheddar cheese plate works surprisingly well, balancing sweetness with a bit of savory.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to cut the cake into small squares and serve on a rustic wooden board, garnished with fresh apple slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Adding edible flowers or a sprig of fresh thyme makes it look absolutely stunning for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is warm, pop it in the fridge and bring to room temp before serving to keep its tender texture.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! After it cools completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It stays fresh for up to 3 months. When you want a slice, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it up gently before serving.

Reheating

To reheat, I usually pop slices in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds. Heated this way, the cake regains its just-baked softness and the cinnamon sugar topping perks right back up.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this cake?

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples offer a great balance of sweetness and tartness, you can substitute Granny Smith for a tangier flavor or Fuji for extra sweetness. Just be sure to slice them thin so they cook evenly throughout the cake.
Do I have to reduce the apple cider?

Technically, you could skip this step, but reducing the cider concentrates its flavor and adds a delicious depth to the cake that you just won’t want to miss. It makes the cake taste like it has this amazing, subtle apple syrup woven in.
Can I make this cake gluten-free or vegan?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it. For vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg and use maple syrup instead of honey. The texture might vary slightly but it still turns out fantastic.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Look for a cake that’s set around the edges and slightly springy in the center. Insert a toothpick in the middle—it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. Baking too long can dry it out, so keep an eye at the 30-minute mark.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites—not just because it tastes incredible but because it brings back all those warm, cozy memories of autumn baking with family. I hope you’ll give it a try and make it your own, sharing those pleasing scents and comforting bites with the people you love. Once you make it, I bet it’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation too!