Easy Apple Cinnamon Loaf Cake

This Easy Apple Cinnamon Loaf Cake is the perfect cake for Autumn/Fall aka Apple Season! It is a moist cake that is warming, delicious and perfect for using up seasonal apples. The cake is topped with Demerara sugar and Apples to add a little crunch. Enjoy a slice with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Apple Loaf Cake

This sweet apple cake is a great way of using up surplus apples and at this time of year, there is an abundance of them everywhere!

In this recipe we peel and chop apples and add them to a simple cinnamon cake batter before baking. 

I like to drizzle some caramel over the top too some days because..why not?

Why you'll love this Apple Loaf Cake Recipe!

Here's why you will love this easy apple cinnamon loaf cake:

• This cake keeps well in the fridge and freezer so it can be made ahead.
• This is an easy recipe. Despite that, this cake has a fluffy texture and is packed full of the aroma and taste of Apples and Cinnamon.
• There are chunks of apples dotted throughout the cake which work really well with the warmth and sweetness of Cinnamon.

Ingredients for Apple Loaf Cake

This recipe uses simple ingredients. Here is what you will need and some substitutions:

Apples

Use any type of fresh apples you want. I have used a variety in the past. I mostly use Bramley Apples or Granny Smith Apples for their tart flavour which balances out the sweetness of the cake.

If you prefer a sweeter Apple, try Honey Crisp (Honey Crunch in the UK), Pink Lady or Gala. 

We peel the Apples into cubes or batons but you can also use grated Apples or finely sliced apples instead. You an also sprinkle over some Lemon Juice to stop the apples from browning. 

I save half of one Apple and add slices to the top of the Cake for decoration.

Butter

Room temperature, softened salted Butter. This adds richness and flavour. If you use Unsalted butter, add a pinch of Salt.

Eggs

We use 3 Eggs in this recipe. Ideally they need to be at room temperature. 

Vanilla Extract

A good quality Vanilla Extract adds lots of delicious flavour. You can skip this if you prefer.

Sugar

I use Light Brown Sugar for moistness as well as flavour and Demerara sugar for a crunchy top. Light brown sugar gives a lovely moistness to the cake as well as adding a light flavour.

You can also use White Sugar such as Caster or Granulated Sugar.

Self Raising Flour

AKA Self Rising Flour in the US. You can use Plain Flour (All Purpose Flour) instead but in that case you will need to add 1 teaspoon of baking powder for every 100g of flour.

Ground Spices

I like to add Ground Cinnamon. You can also add Ground Ginger, Mixed Spice, Cardamom, Nutmeg. You can omit spices altogether if you prefer not to have them in the cake.

How to Make Apple Loaf Cake

For the full moist apple loaf recipe with quantities and instructions scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Step One

Heat oven to 180c/350f/Gas Mark 4) and grease and line a 2 lb loaf tin with non stick baking paper/parchment paper.

Peel, core and Chop 1 ½ Apples and set aside.

Peel and finely slice the remaining half into quarter moons and set aside.

Step Two

Beat the Butter, Vanilla and Sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer/hand mixer or mix using  a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed.

Mix until light and fluffy.

Step Three

Add the eggs to the cake mixture, one by one mixing until fully incorporated.

Step 4

Add the Self Raising Flour and Cinnamon and fold in. 

Step 5

Fold in chopped Apples. 

Step 6

Add the batter to the prepared cake tin/loaf pan and spread evenly with a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon.

Step 7

Place sliced Apples on top of the cake. Sprinkle Demerara sugar on top of the Apples.

Step 8

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes in the tin, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to chop Apples for cake

In order to avoid waste, I use an apple corer but this isn't necessary.

You can just gently remove the seeds and take out the core without taking lots of it off. 

I also peel the apples. The best peeler for me has been the OXO Y peeler.

I also use many of the other OXO branded kitchen items and can personally vouch for their brilliance.

I then chop them into small cubes.

EXPERT TIP

Make sure that your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing. It makes for a smoother batter that comes together easily. 

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve this Apple Loaf Cake as it is with a dusting of icing sugar and a hot cup of tea or coffee. You can also serve it in one of the following ways: 

With a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream;

With some Double Cream (Heavy Cream) or Thick Cream as part of an afternoon tea spread;

With some hot Custard. 

Variations and Recipe Notes

Apple Muffins

Bake in a Muffin tin instead. The batter will yield 12 muffins. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes.

​Add Nuts

Add some chopped Pecans or Walnuts into the batter for added texture.

More Spice

Feel free to add other Spices for warmth such as Cardamom, Ginger, Nutmeg.

Crumble

Make a crumble topping by rubbing 100g Plain flour with 75 cold butter and 75g light brown sugar. Crumble over the top before baking.

Caramel, Peanut Butter or Nutella

Drizzle over some Caramel, Peanut Butter or Nutella.

Dry Fruit

You can add dried Raisins to this Cake. It does work really well!

Chocolate Chips

Stir in some Chocolate Chips for a different flavour and added sweetness.

Sugar 

Use white or light brown sugar. 

Batter

This batter is similar to muffin batter and should be handled gently. So don't be tempted to over mix.

Storage

This cake can be stored in an airtight container on the kitchen counter for up to 4 days as long as your kitchen is nice and cool.

You can also keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving.

How to Freeze Apple Loaf Cake

This cake is also freezer friendly.

Simply wrap the cooled cake tightly in some cling film/plastic wrap and then a layer of foil and pop in an airtight container or freezer bag and keep for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.

More Easy Loaf Cakes

White Chocolate and Raspberry Loaf Cake

Delicious Mojito Cake - Lime and Mint Loaf Cake

Pistachio Loaf Cake

Victoria Sandwich Loaf

More Apple Recipes:

Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Cinnamon Spiced Apple Tray Bake Cake

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