Description
These easy cinnamon apple cake squares are a cozy homemade fall dessert packed with juicy apples and warm spices. Quick to make and perfect for brunch, snacks, or holiday gatherings, they deliver comfort and flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- Peel, core, and dice apples into 1/2-inch cubes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. Add sugar, oil, and vanilla extract; whisk until well combined.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in diced apples (and optional nuts) with a spatula.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Mix 2 tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cake cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing into squares.
Notes
Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best flavor, or mix with sweeter varieties. For gluten-free, substitute a 1-to-1 GF flour blend. Add nuts for crunch or swap apples for pears. Let cake cool before slicing for clean squares. Store in airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days. Freezes well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: cinnamon apple cake, apple dessert, fall baking, easy cake squares, homemade apple cake, autumn dessert, quick apple cake, cinnamon cake, snack cake, brunch recipe