Description

This Easy Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert featuring tender Honeycrisp apples folded into a spiced batter. Sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup and enhanced with apple cider reduction, cinnamon, and warm spices, this cake is topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar and butter streusel. Perfect for cozy fall gatherings or any time you crave a comforting apple treat.

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

Fruits and Toppings

2-3 Honeycrisp apples, very thinly sliced
6 tablespoons cold salted butter, grated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make for easy removal after baking.
Reduce Apple Cider: Pour the apple cider into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the cider is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Remove from heat and let it cool before using.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled apple cider reduction, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, egg, honey or maple syrup, and apple butter. Stir thoroughly until well mixed.
Add Dry Ingredients and Apples: Add the flour, baking soda, apple or pumpkin pie spice, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples. The batter will be thick.
Spread Batter: Evenly spread the thick batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and grated cold salted butter until the mixture forms clumps. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the batter surface.
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 or with a few moist crumbs.
Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly, then serve warm. For an extra indulgence, top with honey butter as suggested in the notes. Enjoy your cozy and delicious apple cake!

Notes

For honey butter, simply mix softened unsalted butter with honey to taste and spread over warm cake slices.
You can substitute Honeycrisp apples with other firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Fuji.
Ensure the butter for the topping is cold and grated to create a crumbly streusel effect.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
This cake freezes well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/15th of cake)
Calories: 210
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 130mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg