Description
This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake is a deliciously moist and spiced dessert perfect for fall or any time you crave a comforting treat. Made with reduced apple cider, honey, apple butter, and slices of crisp Honeycrisp apples, this cake combines warm autumn spices with a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. Baked in a 9×13 inch pan, it’s simple to prepare and perfect for serving warm with a dollop of salted honey butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet 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
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2-3 teaspoons apple or pumpkin pie spice
Fruit
- 2-3 Honeycrisp apples, very thinly sliced
Topping
- 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, grated
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Reduce the Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes until it reduces down to about 1/2 cup. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to avoid curdling the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled reduced apple cider, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, honey or maple syrup, and apple butter. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Apples: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, apple or pumpkin pie spice, and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Gently mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter. Then, carefully fold in the very thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples. The batter will be thick and hearty.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared parchment-lined baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula for even baking.
- Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and grated cold salted butter until you achieve a clumpy, coarse sugar mixture. Sprinkle this generously and evenly over the surface of the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is just set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The topping should be lightly browned and crisp.
- Serve: Let the cake cool slightly. Serve the cake warm, optionally with a scoop of salted honey butter for an extra touch of sweetness and creaminess. Enjoy your comforting and flavorful apple cake!
Notes
- Salted Honey Butter: Combine 6 tablespoons softened butter, 6 tablespoons honey, and a pinch of sea salt for a delicious spread to accompany the cake.
- Pumpkin Spice Blend: For a homemade pumpkin pie spice, mix 1/4 cup cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cloves, and 1 teaspoon allspice.
- The cake is best served warm but can be stored covered at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Use Honeycrisp apples for the best balance of sweetness and tartness; other crisp apples may be substituted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (assuming 15 slices per cake)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
