Apple Snacking Cake with Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Apple Snacking Cake is is a delicious and simple recipe made with lots of diced apples and a cinnamon sugar topping. This snacking cake is served out of a baking pan and is perfect when you are craving a spiced apple treat! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: I followed this recipe as written (no substitutions or modifications) and it turned out great! It was ready to come out of the oven at the 45 minute mark. I used a granny smith, gala, and cosmic crisp apple. I love that I had all of the ingredients already for this recipe. I will definitely make this again!

This Apple Snacking Cake is an easy to make one-bowl treat made in a rectangular baking dish. You’ll love the sweet flavor of this cake that’s filled with chunks of diced fresh apples! 

If you love apple desserts, be sure to try my Apple Ricotta Cake, Apple Spice Cake or Apple Spice Cookies. For a similar casual cake recipe, don’t miss my Italian Apple Cake. 

What are Snacking Cakes? 

A snacking cake is a simple, unfrosted old-fashioned cake that’s typically small, easy to make, and meant for casual, everyday enjoyment rather than special occasions.

Unlike more elaborate cakes, snacking cakes are usually baked in a single layer, often in a square pan or rectangular pan, and are designed to be eaten without much fuss—often straight from the pan. 

They can be flavored with a variety of ingredients, such as fruit, chocolate, nuts, or spices, and are often lightly sweetened. Snacking cakes are perfect for a quick treat, breakfast, or a casual dessert eaten at any time of day! 

You can serve this easy apple snacking cake straight out of the pan or with some vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of heavy cream. 

You’ll Love Apple Snacking Cake!

If you are looking for a simple and delicious apple flavored treat, you need to give this Apple Snacking Cake a try! This delicious cake is full of flavor and warm spices, and is so easy to make. 

Snacking cakes are great to have on hand when you want a fuss-free delicious treat. The best part is that this apple snack cake recipe is easy to make and is great for an afternoon snack or whenever you’re craving a treat. 

This recipe uses three large apples, and is great if you have an excess of apples to use up. The recipe is simple enough that can be made using just a bowl and spoon – no special equipment required. 

You’ll love that there are chunks of apple in every bite! This is one apple cake recipe that really focuses on the apples and is perfect with a cup of coffee. 

So, if you love simple apple desserts, be sure to give this apple snaking cake recipe a try. You’re going to love it! 

Ingredients and Variations

Flour: use regular all purpose flour.

Brown Sugar: brown sugar helps to deepen the flavors of the cake.

Sugar: granulated sugar for both the cake batter and cinnamon sugar topping. 

Baking Soda: make sure you are using baking soda and not baking powder. 

Cinnamon: the warming flavor of cinnamon really brings out the flavors of the apples. 

Nutmeg: use ground or fresh nutmeg. 

Salt: kosher salt is best for baking. 

Apple Sauce: apple sauce helps to keep the cake moist without extra fat. 

Oil: use unflavored neutral oil like vegetable oil or canola oil 

Eggs: you will need two large room temperature eggs. 

Apples: you can use a variety of apples like granny smith apples, Fiji apples, or Honey crisp. Be sure to peel and core the apples before dicing. 

Walnuts: chopped walnuts are optional but add a great crunch to the apple snacking cake. A bit of lemon zest is also a great way to add flavor to this cake. 

How to Make Apple Snacking Cake

Simple and easy Apple Snacking Cake is a sure to be your new favorite way to make moist apple cake! Start by preheating oven, then coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper; set aside. 

Step 1: mix dry ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, a teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; set aside. 

Step 2: mix wet ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the applesauce, oil, and eggs until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until well combined. 

Step 3: add in apples and walnuts

Then, use a rubber spatula to fold in the diced apples and walnuts until the mixture is well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. 

Step 4: top with cinnamon sugar and bake

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the top of the batter. 

Bake the cake on the center rack of the oven for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean and the top is golden brown. You’ll know the cake is done when it starts to pull away from the edges of the pan. 

Remove from oven and let cake cool on a wire rack, then cut into pieces and enjoy! 

Recipe Tips

Apples: you can use whatever juicy apples you have on hand. I prefer to use a combination of Granny Smith and Gala or Honey crisp apples when baking. 

Storage: store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze for up to a month. 

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