CINNAMON APPLE CAKE
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Let’s be honest—fruit cake and I have never been friends. Every December, stores overflow with them, and every year I think, “One is too many.” It’s just not my thing. So when this month’s Foodie Extravaganza theme turned out to be fruit cake, I nearly sat it out.
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But then I had a better idea: why not make a cake with fruit I actually enjoy? Something warm, spiced, and comforting. Something I’d want to eat—and share. What came out of the oven was so good it disappeared fast. Sure, I gave a few loaves away, but the rest? Gone in a flash.
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🍏 A Little Orchard Magic
My friends have an apple orchard that’s basically a produce paradise—apples, peaches, pears, tomatoes, corn, potatoes, green beans, peas… you name it. They brought me apples a few times this fall, and I even canned some. The last batch went into this cake—well, a few of them anyway. It was a big bag.
I baked the batter in cute little loaf pans to gift to the ladies I visit teach, and I used two 6-inch cake pans for the rest. But you could easily use a 9×13-inch pan or go for a bundt pan if you’re feeling fancy.
📋 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Butter (softened) | ½ cup |
| Brown sugar | ½ cup |
| White sugar | ½ cup |
| All-purpose flour | 2¼ cups |
| Oat flour | 1 cup |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Baking soda | 1½ tsp |
| Cinnamon | 3 tbsp |
| Ground ginger | ½ tsp |
| Unsweetened applesauce | 2 cups |
| Diced apples | 3 cups |
| Chopped pecans | 1½ cups |
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup |
| Milk | 2 tbsp |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
🍽️ Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your chosen pan(s) well.
Step 2: Cream the Base
In a mixing bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
Step 3: Spice It Up
Add salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Mix thoroughly.
Step 4: Add the Flours
Gradually mix in the all-purpose and oat flours until fully combined.
Step 5: Fold in the Fruit & Nuts
Stir in applesauce, then gently fold in diced apples and chopped pecans.
Step 6: Bake
Spread batter into prepared pans. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Make the Glaze
Once cakes are cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency as needed.
Step 8: Decorate & Serve
Transfer glaze to a piping bag or plastic baggie with the corner snipped. Pipe over cakes and enjoy!
