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–+ servings

Apple Cinnamon Cake

Teresa Ambra
Prepare yourself for the rich flavors of Honey Crisp apples and cinnamon in this luscious Apple Cinnamon Cake. The cream cheese icing is lightly sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar amping up the flavors even more. This delicious dessert is perfect for company or holiday dinner menus since it serves 15! If you're looking for a delightful recipe for Fall Baking, Thanksgiving dinner, Easter or Mother's Day, this lovely cake is just the ticket!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Cakes and Frostings, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 487 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 2 medium mixing bowls
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 sharp paring knife
  • 1 cutting board
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 table knife or icing spreader
  • 1 small bowl
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • 1 whisk

Ingredients
  

CAKE:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 3 tbsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup canola oil or avocado oil
  • 1/2 to 1 cup half-and-half (I used one cup)
  • 4 cups Honey Crisp apples diced and peeled - Honey Crisp preferred, but any apples will do (I used two very large Honey Crisp apples which yielded about 5 cups apples)

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup salted butter softened, (1/2 stick)
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 16 oz. powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp. granulated sugar for topping, optional
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon for topping, optional

Instructions
 

CAKE:

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Combine granulated sugar, flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl combine, eggs, oil and half and half.
  • Add liquid mixture to dry mixture and stir well.
  • Add apples last and stir by hand with a wooden spoon to combine.
  • Spray a 9x13” glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Spread batter in baking dish.
  • Bake at 350º for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool cake completely before adding Cream Cheese Frosting.

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

  • Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
  • Add powdered sugar about ¼ to ½ cup at a time, while continuing to beat icing until smooth.
  • Spread over top of cooled Apple Cake.
  • Optional: Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  • Stir to combine and sprinkle evenly over the cream cheese frosting.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

NOTE: If desired, sprinkle cream cheese frosting with cinnamon-sugar mixture before serving.
 
NOTE: I made these changes to the original recipe: The recipe called for two tablespoons baking powder. I thought this was excessive and cut the amount to two teaspoons. I added half-and-half (not included in the original recipe) because the mixture was too dry and didn’t cook up as well for me as it does for Debbie. I also added two extra eggs for the same reason, to give the cake more body and a fluffier texture. I used 5 cups of apples instead of flour.  I reduced the butter in the icing by half since the icing tasted too buttery. I added the cinnamon-sugar mixture to the top so the plastic wrap wouldn't stick to the icing, but it added wonderful flavor. 
 
NOTE FROM DEBBIE BARNARD: This cake always sunk in the middle for Betty, and it does for me too. NOTE FROM TERESA: I found with the changes I made, the cake did NOT sink in the middle.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 79gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 295mgPotassium: 119mgFiber: 3gSugar: 62gVitamin A: 426IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 1mg
Keyword apple cake, apples, cake, cinnamon, dessert
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