Moist Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
A cozy, moist apple cinnamon sheet cake that balances the natural sweetness of fresh apples with warm cinnamon, perfect for any occasion and easy to make.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as substitute)
- 3 medium apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- Optional: ½ cup (60g) chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust with flour.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, whisk granulated sugar with vegetable oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently but thoroughly after each addition.
- Fold in the peeled and diced apples and optional nuts carefully to avoid overmixing.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The edges should be lightly golden and the top springy.
- Cool the cake completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture. If apples are very juicy, pat dry before folding into batter. Tent cake with foil if browning too quickly. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with plant-based milk plus apple cider vinegar. Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: apple cinnamon cake, sheet cake, moist cake, easy dessert, fall dessert, family favorite, cozy dessert