Old-Fashioned Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze
Moist apple cake infused with warm spices and topped with a smooth cinnamon glaze that recalls classic, time-honored dessert flavors. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 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 8, 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 ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 medium, peeled and diced apples
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon for glaze
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 cup sour cream until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Fold in 2 peeled and diced medium apples.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: While the cake cools, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tbsp milk and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth to make the cinnamon glaze.
- Step 7: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cake and let set before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Old-Fashioned Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Old-Fashioned Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?
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 Old-Fashioned Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?
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 Old-Fashioned Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Old-Fashioned Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?
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.
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