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Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake Recipe

4.8 from 99 reviews

This Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is a moist and tender dessert bursting with the natural sweetness of fresh apples and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for cozy gatherings or an everyday treat, this cake combines a light texture with a rich, aromatic flavor. Topped with a classic cinnamon sugar crust, it’s a comforting and easy-to-make cake that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fruit

  • 2 cups peeled and chopped fresh apples (about 2 medium apples)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch sheet pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined. This will evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices throughout the batter.
  3. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, brown sugar, white sugar, and eggs. Beat well until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Stir in vanilla extract for flavor.
  4. Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a light texture in the cake.
  5. Add Apples: Fold in the peeled and chopped fresh apples carefully, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
  6. Pour Batter into Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared sheet pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and slightly firm to the touch.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing. Serving warm or at room temperature is ideal to enjoy the moist texture and warm spices best.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.
  • For extra moisture, substitute half of the vegetable oil with applesauce.
  • You can dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze for added sweetness.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • This cake freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.

Keywords: Apple cinnamon sheet cake, easy apple dessert, moist apple cake, cinnamon cake, fall desserts, sheet cake recipe