Description
This cozy apple cake is a simple, comforting dessert packed with juicy apples, warm cinnamon, and a tender crumb. Perfect for chilly nights, family gatherings, or a solo treat, it comes together easily with pantry staples and fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (can substitute with whole wheat or gluten-free blend)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) plain yogurt or sour cream
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 cups/250g—Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar (optional, for topping)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting before serving)
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice 2 medium apples into small chunks (about 2 cups/250g). Toss the apple pieces with 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a bowl.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well blended.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix in plain yogurt or sour cream until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or mixer on low speed. Mix just until combined.
- Gently fold in the diced apples and, if desired, chopped nuts. The batter will be thick.
- Scrape the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 9-inch round cake pan or 8×8-inch square pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes (round pan) or 40-45 minutes (loaf pan), until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar once cool, or serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
For best results, use tart apples like Granny Smith or mix with sweeter varieties. Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. If using gluten-free flour or vegan substitutes, expect a slightly different texture. The cake can be made nut-free by omitting nuts. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple cake, easy dessert, homemade cake, fall baking, cozy recipes, cinnamon apple cake, comfort food, family dessert, autumn cake, simple apple cake