Cinnamon Apple Sheet Pan Cake
Moist and tender cake baked on a sheet pan, bursting with cinnamon-spiced apple chunks and topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar crust. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups medium apple (such as Granny Smith), peeled and diced
- for topping cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup granulated sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Alternately add the flour mixture and 1 cup whole milk to the butter mixture in three parts, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just combined.
- Step 6: Gently fold 2 cups peeled and diced apple into the batter.
- Step 7: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared sheet pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 8: Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
- Step 9: Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Step 10: Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares and serving warm or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cinnamon Apple Sheet Pan Cake take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Cinnamon Apple Sheet Pan Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cinnamon Apple Sheet Pan Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cinnamon Apple Sheet Pan Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cinnamon Apple Sheet Pan Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
