Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake

4.95 from 67 votes

If you're looking for a moist delicious and super flavorful breakfast cake - this Cinnamon Apple Cake is IT!

Prep Time45

Cook Time50

Total Time1 35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: German

Servings: people

4 cups sliced apples about 3-4 apples depending on the size of your apples (peeling optional)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 cups white sugar
¾ cup coconut oil or avocado oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground cloves

To prepare the apples, peel and core about 4 apples. Slice them into about ¼ inch thick slices and place them into a large bowl. Pour the sugar over the apples and give them a quick toss with your hands and then add the lemon juice. Let the apples and the sugar sit for about 30-45 minutes. This process will soften the apples and dissolve the sugar.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Add the oil, eggs and vanilla to the apple mixture and stir together with a spoon.
Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cloves into the apple mixture. Combine with a spoon carefully until the dry mixture is just incorporated.
Spray a 9x9 or 9x13 baking dish with baking spray and line with parchment paper. Transfer the batter into the baking dish and bake in a preheated oven for 50-55 minutes for a 9x9 or 45-50 minutes for a 9x13, or until a knife can be inserted in the center and comes out clean.
Serve with freshly whipped cream.

Serve it slightly warm. Apple cake is at its best just a little warm, when the apples are soft and the spices smell like fall.

Use a mix of apples. Combining sweet and tart apples gives the cake depth and balance. Think Honeycrisp + Granny Smith for the best flavor.

Cut the apples evenly. Uniform pieces bake at the same speed, so you don’t end up with mushy pockets or crunchy bits.

Toss the apples with a little lemon. This keeps them from browning and adds a subtle brightness that balances the sweetness of the cake.

Don’t overmix the batter. Once the flour goes in, mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake tough instead of tender.

Season generously. Apples love warm spices. Cinnamon is a must, but nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom take it to the next level.

Use parchment for easy release. Lining the pan makes getting the cake out stress-free and keeps the edges intact.

Bake until just set. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Overbaking dries out an otherwise cozy cake.

Let it cool before slicing. Cooling time helps the cake set and makes slicing clean and easy.

Finish with something special. A dusting of powdered sugar, drizzle of glaze, or dollop of whipped cream makes it feel bakery-worthy.