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Small Apple Cinnamon Cake
4.9 from 63 votes

Small Apple Cinnamon Cake

Small Apple Cinnamon Cake is a moist, tender cake featuring diced Granny Smith apples swirled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. The batter is enriched with sour cream and vanilla, and the topping combines an apple cinnamon mixture with a buttery cinnamon swirl. A powdered sugar glaze finishes the cake, adding sweetness and moisture.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 4 to 5 servings
Calories: 436 kcal
Course: Breakfast, Snacks
Cuisine: American

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together apples, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. 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.
  6. Add half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Repeat with remaining tablespoon of milk and second half of the flour mixture.
  7. Transfer batter to your prepared baking dish, smoothing out the top.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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

Calories 436kcal (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 to 5 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 436

% Daily Value*

Calories 436kcal 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.