I absolutely love baking cakes that are both comforting and full of flavor, and this Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is one of my all-time favorites. The warm spices of cinnamon combined with the natural sweetness of apples make it a perfect treat for any season, especially during fall. It’s incredibly simple to make, yet the result is an elegant dessert that’s sure to impress friends and family.
What makes this cake stand out is the tender, moist texture of the cake itself, thanks to the fresh apples incorporated right into the batter. The cinnamon flavor comes through beautifully, giving it that perfect balance of sweet and spicy. It’s like the best parts of an apple pie, but in cake form!
Not only does this cake make for a fantastic dessert, but it can also double as a delightful snack with a cup of coffee or tea. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – it’s perfect for a cozy evening at home, a family gathering, or even as a sweet treat for a holiday celebration. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make!
I can’t wait to share the full recipe with you so you can enjoy this delicious, comforting treat too.
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
To create this cozy, flavorful Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake, you’ll need a few simple, high-quality ingredients. These ingredients work together to make the cake light, fluffy, and perfectly spiced.
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Flour – All-purpose flour is ideal for this cake. It gives the cake structure without being too dense.
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Baking Powder & Baking Soda – These help the cake rise, giving it that light, airy texture we all love.
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Cinnamon – A generous amount of cinnamon is key to getting that warm, aromatic flavor throughout the cake.
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Salt – A pinch of salt helps balance out the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
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Sugar – Both granulated sugar and brown sugar are used. The brown sugar adds a hint of molasses, deepening the sweetness.
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Eggs – Eggs provide structure and moisture to the cake.
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Butter – Melted butter adds richness and flavor, helping the cake stay moist.
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Milk – Whole milk ensures the cake is tender and soft. It adds just the right amount of moisture.
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Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla adds a sweet, fragrant background note to the cake.
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Apples – Fresh, peeled apples are the star of the cake. Granny Smith apples are a great choice because they offer a nice balance of tartness and firmness, but you can use your favorite apple variety.
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Cinnamon Sugar (for topping) – This simple mixture of cinnamon and sugar will give the cake a perfect finish with a delightful crunch.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
Making this apple cinnamon sheet cake is simple, and the results are well worth the effort. Here’s how to bring everything together for this delicious dessert:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Step 2: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set this dry mixture aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. This will take about 2 minutes with an electric mixer. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Gently fold in the diced apples. Make sure the apples are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
Step 7: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the topping. Sprinkle this evenly over the top of the batter.
Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
Step 9: Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
How Long to Bake Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
The baking time for your Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake will vary depending on your oven and the specific size of your pan. However, here are some general guidelines to ensure your cake is baked perfectly:
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Standard 9×13-inch Pan – Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350°F (175°C). You’ll know the cake is done when it’s golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Smaller Pan – If you’re using a smaller pan, the baking time will be shorter, so keep an eye on the cake and start checking around 30 minutes.
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Larger Pan – If using a larger pan, it may take a bit longer, so check after 45 minutes and up to an hour.
How to Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, no worries! This cake keeps well and can be stored for later enjoyment:
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Refrigerator – Store the leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days. You can enjoy it chilled, or reheat individual slices in the microwave for a warm, comforting treat.
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Freezer – You can also freeze leftover cake if you want to keep it longer. Wrap the slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer. To enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it up before serving.
Tips for Perfect Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake turns out perfectly every time:
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Choose the Right Apples – For a balance of sweetness and tartness, go with apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These hold up well when baked and add great flavor.
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Don’t Overmix – When combining the dry and wet ingredients, mix gently to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the cake dense.
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Use Room Temperature Ingredients – Make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before you start mixing. This helps everything come together smoothly.
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Add Extra Toppings – For added flavor and texture, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter before baking. You can also top the cake with a light glaze or cream cheese frosting for extra sweetness.
Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
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his Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is a simple yet flavorful dessert that will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Tender apples, aromatic cinnamon, and a moist cake come together to create a delicious treat. Whether you serve it as an after-dinner dessert or a cozy snack with coffee, it’s sure to please!
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Ingredients
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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1 tsp baking soda
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1/2 tsp salt
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2 tsp ground cinnamon
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 cup brown sugar
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2 large eggs
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1/2 cup melted butter
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1 cup whole milk
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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3 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 3 medium apples)
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1/4 cup cinnamon sugar (for topping)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
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In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and melted butter until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
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Gently fold in the chopped apples.
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
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Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top.
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Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Allow the cake to cool in the pan before serving.
Notes
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For added crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the batter before baking.
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Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer storage.
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For an extra indulgent treat, top the cake with whipped cream or ice cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice for their tartness and firmness, you can use any type of apple you prefer. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples also work great and will give the cake a sweeter taste. Just be sure to peel and chop the apples before adding them to the batter.
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Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to develop. You can bake it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze it as mentioned earlier.
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Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check the flour blend instructions, as some may require additional ingredients like xanthan gum for structure. The texture may vary slightly, but it should still be delicious!
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How can I add more flavor to this cake?
If you want to enhance the flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of ground nutmeg along with the cinnamon, or add a splash of fresh lemon juice to the apples before mixing them into the batter. You could also drizzle the cake with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk or top it with whipped cream or ice cream for extra indulgence.