Small Apple Cinnamon Cake
User Reviews
4.9
Small Apple Cinnamon Cake
Description
This cake begins with a light batter made from butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla, combined with flour, baking powder, and salt for structure. Diced tart Granny Smith apples are mixed with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon, then combined with a cinnamon swirl of butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon to create a flavorful topping. The batter is spread into a small baking dish, the apple-cinnamon mixture is dotted on top, and swirled in to create distinctive cinnamon ribbons throughout the cake. After baking, a simple glaze of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla is drizzled over to add moisture and sweetness.
The result is a cake with a tender crumb and moist texture, accented by the warm spice of cinnamon and tartness of apple. The cinnamon swirl provides extra pockets of sugary richness. This cake suits a small gathering or dessert, best enjoyed fresh to appreciate the moist crumb and glaze.
Accurate flour measurement is important for texture; weighing or using the spoon and sweep method specifically is recommended. This cake tastes best the first day, stored covered to retain moisture, though the glaze may become sticky over time. The glaze adds sweetness and appearance, balancing the tart apples and spice.
Ingredients
Special Equipment
- 7x5-inch Baking Dish
Apple Cinnamon Mixture
- ¾ cup apple Granny Smith, about 1 small, diced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 12g
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Swirl
- ¼ cup salted butter softened, 56g
- ¼ cup brown sugar 50g
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 15 g
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cake
- ½ cup all-purpose flour measured by weight or using the spoon and sweep method, 2 tablespoons (75g
- ½ teaspoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon
- Pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons salted butter softened, 28g
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 50g
- 1 egg room temperature, large
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sour cream 30g
- 2 tablespoons milk any percentage, divided
Glaze
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar sifted, 80g
- 1 tablespoon milk any percentage, 1 ½ teaspoons
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 7x5-inch baking dish. If you’d like to be able to lift the cake out of the dish, line with a sheet of parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, stir together apples, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Use a fork to mix ingredients until the mixture resembles a thick paste. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine softened butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in room temperature egg and vanilla until well-combined. Add sour cream and one tablespoon of the milk. Beat until smooth.
- Add half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Repeat with remaining tablespoon of milk and second half of the flour mixture.
- Transfer batter to your prepared baking dish, smoothing out the top.
- Combine the apple mixture with the cinnamon swirl mixture and stir together. Drop spoonfuls of the mix over the top of your cake until it is all gone. Use a knife to swirl mixture into the batter. Cut deeply into the batter when swirling. You don’t want to completely mix the apples into the batter, but you should see some batter at the top.
- Bake for 27 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into a cakey section near the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- While your cake is still warm, in a small bowl, combine all glaze ingredients. Whisk until smooth and pour over the cake. Allow the glaze to set for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use precise flour measurement by weight or the Spoon and Sweep Method to achieve the best cake texture.
- This cake is best enjoyed the day it is made as the glaze is freshest and the crumb moist.
- Store covered to maintain moisture; the glaze may become sticky when stored.
- The recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4to 5 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 436 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 436kcal | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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