Cinnamon Apple Cake

Cinnamon Apple Cake is a easy French recipe that serves 8. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by Pankaj Sharma on YouTube.

Prep: 27 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 1 hr 7 min

Cost: $7.05 total, $0.88 per serving

Ingredients

  • 180 g unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 180 g granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs (at room temperature)
  • 120 g all-purpose flour
  • 8 g baking powder
  • 1 c. à soupe ground cinnamon
  • 10 cl milk
  • 4 apples (Granny Smith or Golden, peeled and chopped)
  • 1 c. à café ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • 1 c. à soupe granulated sugar (for topping)
  • 3 c. à soupe apricot jam (slightly warmed)

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter and sugar

    In a large bowl, add the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is pale and creamy.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Incorporate the eggs

    Add the eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition so the mixture remains homogeneous.

    Time: PT3M

  3. Prepare dry ingredients and milk

    Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl, add 1 c. à soupe of cinnamon. Incorporate this dry mixture into the wet mixture alternating with the milk (10 cl), starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until the batter is smooth.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Prepare the pan

    Line the cake pan with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan and tap lightly on the countertop to release air bubbles.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Prepare the apples

    Peel the 4 apples, cut them in half, remove the core and make deep cuts in each half. Arrange the apples, cut side up, on the batter, pressing them in slightly.

    Time: PT10M

  6. Sprinkle the topping

    Mix 1 c. à café of cinnamon with 1 c. à soupe of sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apples and batter.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Bake the cake

    Place the cake in the lower part of the pre‑heated oven at 200°C for 30 minutes. The cake is done when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

    Time: PT30M

    Temperature: 200°C

  8. Prepare the apricot jam glaze

    While the cake is baking, put the apricot jam in a small saucepan and heat over low heat until it becomes fluid (about 5 minutes).

    Time: PT5M

  9. Glaze the cake

    Immediately after removing from the oven, brush the still‑warm cake with the hot apricot jam using a kitchen brush.

    Time: PT2M

  10. Cooling

    Allow the cake to cool on a rack for 15 minutes before unmolding and serving.

    Time: PT15M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
250
Protein
3 g
Carbohydrates
35 g
Fat
10 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, low-calorie

Allergens: gluten, eggs, dairy

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Instead of unsalted butter: margarine
  • Instead of granulated sugar: honey, maple syrup
  • Instead of eggs: applesauce (as binder)
  • Instead of all-purpose flour: gluten-free flour
  • Instead of baking powder: baking soda + cream of tartar
  • Instead of ground cinnamon: pastry spice blend
  • Instead of milk: almond milk, soy milk
  • Instead of apples: pears
  • Instead of ground cinnamon (for topping): ground nutmeg
  • Instead of granulated sugar (for topping): coconut sugar
  • Instead of apricot jam: peach jam, orange jelly

Equipment Needed

  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • silicone spatula
  • sieve or fine strainer
  • cake pan (20-22 cm)
  • parchment paper
  • oven
  • kitchen knife
  • peeler
  • kitchen brush

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

  • Cream the butter and sugar until a light texture is achieved.
  • Incorporate the eggs one by one without over‑beating.
  • Do not over‑mix after adding the flour to keep the cake moist.
  • Arrange the apples with cuts for good flavor diffusion.
  • Bake at 200°C for 30 minutes, checking doneness with a knife.
  • Brush the hot cake with apricot jam for a glossy glaze.

Chef Tips from the Video

  • Lightly dust with powdered sugar before serving for a decorative touch.
  • Add a pinch of nutmeg to the batter for an even warmer aroma.
  • Serve the cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a hot‑cold contrast.

Troubleshooting

The cake is too dense.

Make sure the butter was at room temperature and well‑creamed with the sugar. Do not over‑mix after adding the flour.

The apples are too soft.

Use firm apples (Granny Smith) and cut thick slices. Do not let the apples sit too long before baking.

The glaze does not stick.

Brush the cake immediately after removing from the oven, while it is still very hot.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the cake in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Freezer: Wrap the cake in portions with plastic film then aluminum foil, keep up to 2 months.

Room temperature: At room temperature, the cake keeps 1 to 2 days in a covered container.

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Prepare the batter the day before and keep it refrigerated; add the apples just before baking.
  • Apricot jam can be warmed in advance and reheated quickly at glazing time.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

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Cinnamon Apple Cake

Recipe by Pankaj Sharma

A moist apple cake flavored with cinnamon, topped with a warm apricot jam glaze. Perfect for a snack or dessert, it can be prepared in under an hour and will delight fans of spiced sweets.

EasyFrenchServes 8

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
49m
Prep
30m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 29m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$7.05
Total cost
$0.88
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Cream the butter and sugar until a light texture is achieved.
  • Incorporate the eggs one by one without over‑beating.
  • Do not over‑mix after adding the flour to keep the cake moist.
  • Arrange the apples with cuts for good flavor diffusion.
  • Bake at 200°C for 30 minutes, checking doneness with a knife.
  • Brush the hot cake with apricot jam for a glossy glaze.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot oven (200°C) with care.
  • Hot apricot jam can cause burns; let it cool slightly before handling.

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