Homemade Apple Cake

Introduction

This Homemade Apple Cake is a cozy, cinnamon-spiced dessert filled with tender apple slices and a soft, moist crumb. Perfect for autumn days or family gatherings, every bite bursts with comforting flavors of apples, brown sugar, and warm spices — just like grandma used to make.

🧺 Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup milk (or buttermilk for extra tenderness)

3–4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

For the Topping:

2 tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

(Optional: powdered sugar for dusting after baking)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease and line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) or 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).

Add the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix.

Step 5: Add the Apples

Fold in half of the apple slices gently into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Arrange the remaining apple slices neatly on top in overlapping layers.

Step 6: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Mix 2 tablespoons sugar with ½ teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the apples.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before slicing.

🍏 How to Make It Perfect

Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji — they hold their shape and give a lovely tart flavor.

For an extra moist cake, mix 2 tablespoons of applesauce into the batter.

Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with vanilla glaze before serving for a beautiful finish.

✨ Variations

Caramel Apple Cake: Drizzle with warm caramel sauce after baking.

Nutty Apple Cake: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.

Apple Crumb Cake: Sprinkle a buttery brown sugar crumble on top before baking.

Glazed Version: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and drizzle over the cooled cake.

💡 Tips

Don’t overmix your batter — it keeps the cake tender.

Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for 5 days.

Warm slices in the microwave and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a heavenly treat.

Conclusion

Moist, fragrant, and filled with layers of soft apples and warm spices, this Homemade Apple Cake is comfort baked into every slice. It’s easy to make, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to fill your home with the smell of pure happiness.