Easy Apple Snack Cake
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This Easy Apple Snack Cake is a cozy fall dessert that comes together quickly with simple ingredients like apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and sour cream. It bakes up soft, moist, and full of flavor, then gets finished with a light glaze on top. It’s perfect for weeknight baking or a relaxed weekend treat.
When autumn rolls around, I find myself reaching for the same comforting flavors time and again. Apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar just feel like fall to me, and this Easy Apple Snack Cake is a sweet little way to celebrate the season. It’s not fussy or complicated, which makes it the kind of recipe you can pull together on a weeknight or for a cozy weekend treat. You don’t even need a reason to make this dessert; “just because” is good enough!
I love that this cake feels both familiar and fresh. It’s a simple mix of ingredients, but the result feels special, comforting, and cozy. Tender cake, bites of fresh apple, and a light drizzle of glaze make it feel homemade in the best possible way. Serve it warm with coffee, tea, or a mug of apple cider, and you’ll have an instant fall favorite.
Let’s get into the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s quick, simple, and easy. With basic pantry staples and just a few fresh apples, you can have this cake mixed, baked, and glazed without much effort.
- Perfectly cozy fall flavors. Cinnamon, brown sugar, and apples come together in the most classic way. The sour cream and applesauce keep it extra tender while enhancing the apple flavor.
- A crowd-pleaser for fall gatherings. Whether you’re making it for family, friends, or a potluck, this cake is one of those desserts that disappears quickly. The light glaze on top gives it just enough sweetness without feeling heavy.
Looking for more fall-inspired apple recipes? You’re in luck because I have them! Check out this collection of my best apple recipes for fall. I know you’ll find a few new favorites.
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s review the ingredients you’ll need for this apple cake recipe. I’ll walk you through what I used below.
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure for the cake while keeping the texture soft and tender.
- Baking powder – Gives the cake its light rise, so it bakes up fluffy instead of dense.
- Ground cinnamon – Adds warmth and pairs perfectly with apples for that classic fall flavor.
- Kosher salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the cake.
- Honeycrisp apples – Their natural sweetness and crisp bite make them a great choice for baking.
- Light brown sugar – Brings a rich, caramel-like sweetness that deepens the flavor of the cake.
- Eggs – Help bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Unsalted butter – Adds moisture and a buttery flavor while keeping the crumb tender.
- Sour cream – Contributes tang and moisture, helping to keep the cake soft for days.
- Unsweetened applesauce – Intensifies the apple flavor while adding extra moisture without heaviness.
- Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet aroma that complements the apple and cinnamon.
- Confectioners’ sugar – Used for the glaze, it blends smoothly and creates a delicate sweet topping.
- Whole milk – Thins the glaze to the right consistency for drizzling.
How To Make
And with that, we’re ready to make and bake this Easy Apple Snack Cake. Let’s get to it. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with baking spray, then line it with parchment paper so it hangs over two sides for easy lifting. Give the parchment a light spray as well.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add 1½ cups of the diced apples and toss them in the flour mixture until they’re coated. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the brown sugar with the egg and egg white until the mixture looks lighter in color and a bit frothy. Mix in the melted butter, sour cream, applesauce, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and fold gently with a spatula until just combined. The batter will be thick and slightly lumpy. Spread it evenly into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the remaining apples over the top.
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- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before lifting it out with the parchment and transferring it to a wire rack. Cool for another 10 minutes.
- For the glaze, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the warm cake and serve. The cake keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
And with that, this Easy Apple Snack Cake is finished and ready to be served.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of apples work best in this cake?
Honeycrisp apples are excellent because they hold their shape and bring a balance of sweetness and tartness. If you don’t have them, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gala are also great choices.
Can I add mix-ins like nuts or raisins?
Definitely. Chopped pecans or walnuts are a great addition for crunch, and raisins or dried cranberries add extra sweetness. Just fold them in with the apples before baking.
Can I freeze this cake?
Absolutely. Bake and cool the cake without the glaze, then wrap it well in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to two months, thaw at room temperature, and glaze just before serving.
More Apple Cake Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re looking for a simple apple cake recipe that’s both comforting and delicious, this Easy Apple Snack Cake is the one. I think you’ll enjoy it! Once you give this recipe a try, I’d love to know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Easy Apple Snack Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups diced Honeycrisp apples divided
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
- 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with baking spray, then line it with parchment paper so it hangs over two sides for easy lifting. Give the parchment a light spray as well.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add 1½ cups of the diced apples and toss them in the flour mixture until they’re coated. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the brown sugar with the egg and egg white until the mixture looks lighter in color and a bit frothy. Mix in the melted butter, sour cream, applesauce, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and fold gently with a spatula until just combined. The batter will be thick and slightly lumpy. Spread it evenly into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the remaining apples over the top.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before lifting it out with the parchment and transferring it to a wire rack. Cool for another 10 minutes.
- For the glaze, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the warm cake and serve. The cake keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.