This Apple Cinnamon White Cake is a moist, tender loaf cake layered with fresh apples and a sweet cinnamon swirl. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
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Combines soft cake with juicy apples and warm cinnamon sugar.
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Easy to prepare with basic pantry ingredients.
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Perfectly moist with a tender crumb.
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Works as both a casual snack cake and an elegant dessert.
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The cinnamon swirl adds bakery-style flavor and charm.
Apple Cinnamon White Cake
Apple cakes are beloved for their ability to bridge the gap between simplicity and indulgence. This Apple Cinnamon White Cake is no exception, combining the fresh sweetness of apples with the warmth of cinnamon sugar in a tender, buttery loaf. It’s the kind of cake that feels at home on a breakfast table, at afternoon tea, or as a cozy dessert at the end of the day.
The base of the cake is a classic white batter made with butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. It’s light and tender, yet sturdy enough to hold chunks of apple and swirls of cinnamon without collapsing. The butter adds richness, while sugar creates sweetness and a soft texture. Eggs bring structure and moisture, ensuring the cake stays fluffy rather than dense.
Apples are the star of this recipe, adding both flavor and texture. As they bake, the apples soften and release their juices, infusing the surrounding cake with subtle fruitiness. Each bite offers bursts of tender apple pieces balanced by the smooth crumb of the cake. Choosing a firm apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp helps maintain texture and prevents the fruit from becoming mushy.
Cinnamon is the perfect partner to apples, bringing warmth and spice that makes the cake taste like autumn. When combined with brown sugar, it forms a sweet-spiced swirl that runs through the cake, creating ribbons of flavor. This not only enhances taste but also adds visual appeal when you slice into the loaf.
The layering method—half the batter, apples and cinnamon mixture, then the remaining batter—ensures that every slice has a balance of cake, fruit, and spice. Swirling the cinnamon sugar lightly into the top layer gives the finished loaf a marbled effect that’s both beautiful and delicious.
One of the charms of this recipe is its adaptability. You can serve it plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar, or even with a drizzle of simple glaze for extra sweetness. It’s equally satisfying warm from the oven or cooled to room temperature, making it a versatile addition to your baking repertoire.
Apple cinnamon cake is a treat that evokes nostalgia, reminding many of family kitchens and fall gatherings. The combination of tender fruit and fragrant spice feels comforting and familiar, yet it never goes out of style.
This recipe also highlights the balance between lightness and richness. The cake is substantial enough to serve as a dessert, yet not so heavy that it can’t be enjoyed as a snack with coffee or tea. It’s a cake that invites sharing, the kind you slice generously and pass around the table.
The simplicity of the ingredients means you can whip this up with what you likely already have in your pantry. Flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and an apple are all you need, along with cinnamon for that signature warmth. Despite its ease, the cake tastes and looks impressive.
For those who enjoy experimenting, you can customize the recipe by adding nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch, or even raisins for a touch of chewiness. A bit of nutmeg or cardamom can also enhance the spice profile.
Storage is simple as well—this cake keeps well at room temperature for a couple of days, and slices can be wrapped and frozen for longer storage. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again, whether for a quick treat or a thoughtful homemade gift.
Ultimately, this Apple Cinnamon White Cake delivers everything you want in a homemade baked good: familiar flavors, comforting textures, and just enough elegance to make it special. Each slice is a reminder of the pleasures of simple baking done well.
Servings
Makes 8–10 slices
Time
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
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Total Time: About 1 hour
Ingredients
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1/3 cup brown sugar
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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2/3 cup white sugar
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1/2 cup butter, softened
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2 large eggs
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1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 3/4 tsp baking powder
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1/2 cup milk
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1 apple, peeled and chopped
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
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Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream white sugar and butter until smooth and fluffy.
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Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
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In another bowl, whisk flour and baking powder. Gradually stir into butter mixture.
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Mix in milk until batter is smooth.
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Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Top with half the apples and half the cinnamon sugar mixture. Lightly pat into the batter.
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Add remaining batter, then top with the rest of the apples and cinnamon sugar. Lightly swirl with a spoon or finger.
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Bake 30–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Tips
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Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance against the sweet batter.
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Add chopped nuts for crunch or drizzle glaze on top for extra sweetness.
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Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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For a stronger spice flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom.
Apple Cinnamon White Cake
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 apple peeled and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream white sugar and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk flour and baking powder. Gradually stir into butter mixture.
- Mix in milk until batter is smooth.
- Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Top with half the apples and half the cinnamon sugar mixture. Lightly pat into the batter.
- Add remaining batter, then top with the rest of the apples and cinnamon sugar. Lightly swirl with a spoon or finger.
- Bake 30–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance against the sweet batter.
- Add chopped nuts for crunch or drizzle glaze on top for extra sweetness.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For a stronger spice flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom.