🍎 Cinnamon Apple Sheet Cake
Tender, buttery, and packed with juicy apples and warm cinnamon flavor, this Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is the perfect old-fashioned dessert for fall, family gatherings, and cozy afternoons. A soft vanilla cake is layered with cinnamon-sugar apples and baked until golden and fragrant.
It’s simple enough for a weeknight treat but beautiful enough to serve at a holiday table.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 15–20
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Oven-Baked
Pan: 9×13-inch sheet cake pan
🛒 Ingredients
For the Apple Cinnamon Filling
- 3 large or 6 small Gala or Honeycrisp apples — about 1½ lb (680 g)
- ⅓ cup (70 g) packed dark brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Cake
- 3 cups + 2 tablespoons (390 g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
For easier removal, line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on two sides.
2. Prepare the Apples
Peel the apples if desired, then remove the cores.
Cut the apples into small, thin slices or approximately ½-inch pieces.
Place them in a large bowl.
Add the ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1½ tablespoons cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons flour.
Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
Set aside while you prepare the batter.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
Set aside.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer for 2–3 minutes.
Continue beating until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy.
This step helps create a tender cake texture.
5. Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla extract.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Add the Milk and Sour Cream
Add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk and sour cream.
Begin and end with the dry ingredients.
Mix on low speed just until combined.
Do not overmix.
The batter will be thick, which is exactly what you want for layering with the apples.
7. Assemble the Cake
Spread approximately half of the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Because the batter is thick, an offset spatula or the back of a spoon makes spreading easier.
Arrange about half of the cinnamon-coated apples evenly over the batter.
Gently press them into the surface.
Spread the remaining cake batter over the apples.
Top with the remaining cinnamon apples and any cinnamon-sugar mixture left in the bowl.
8. Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 40–45 minutes, or until:
- The top is golden brown.
- The center feels set.
- A toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
If the apples on top begin browning too quickly, loosely cover the cake with aluminum foil during the final 10–15 minutes.
9. Cool
Remove the cake from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack.
Allow it to cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing.
For cleaner slices, allow it to cool almost completely.
🍶 Optional Vanilla Glaze
10. Make the Glaze
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
Add the milk gradually until the glaze reaches a smooth, drizzleable consistency.
Drizzle over the cooled cake.
For a more generous finish, make the glaze slightly thicker and spread it lightly over the top.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Choose firm apples: Gala and Honeycrisp hold their shape beautifully while baking and provide a nice sweet-tart flavor.
Slice apples evenly: Similar-sized pieces cook at the same rate.
Don’t overmix the batter: Mix only until the flour disappears to keep the cake tender.
Don’t skip the flour in the apple mixture: It helps absorb some of the apple juices and keeps the filling from becoming excessively wet.
Use room-temperature ingredients: Softened butter, eggs, milk, and sour cream blend more smoothly and produce a better cake texture.
Let it cool: The cake becomes easier to slice and the apple layer sets as it cools.
🍎 Easy Variations
Apple Pecan Sheet Cake
Add ¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple mixture.
Caramel Apple Cake
Drizzle the cooled cake with warm caramel sauce just before serving.
Apple Crumble Cake
Before baking, sprinkle the top with a mixture of flour, brown sugar, butter, and chopped pecans.
Apple Spice Cake
Add ½ teaspoon nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves to the cinnamon mixture.
Cream Cheese Frosted Apple Cake
Top the completely cooled cake with a thin layer of vanilla cream cheese frosting instead of the glaze.
Raisin Apple Cake
Add ½ cup raisins to the cinnamon apples for an old-fashioned fruit-cake flavor.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve the cake slightly warm or at room temperature with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon whipped cream
- A drizzle of vanilla glaze
For an especially cozy dessert, warm individual slices for a few seconds and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
🧊 Storage
Cover the cooled cake tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 4–5 days.
Allow refrigerated slices to come closer to room temperature before serving, or warm them gently.
❄️ Freezing
The unfrosted cake freezes well.
Allow it to cool completely, then wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Add the glaze after thawing for the freshest finish.
🍎✨ Final Result
This Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is wonderfully soft and tender, with juicy apples baked into layers of fragrant cinnamon and buttery vanilla cake.
The combination of sweet Gala or Honeycrisp apples, dark brown sugar, warm cinnamon, and a soft homemade cake makes every bite taste like classic homemade fall baking.
Simple ingredients, big apple flavor, and the perfect cozy dessert for sharing. 🍎🤎