Description
This cake is pure fall magic in every glossy, cinnamon-kissed bite. With vibrant candy apple slices shimmering like stained glass over a buttery, tender crumb, it’s nostalgia and flair rolled into one sweet stunner. Whether for Halloween parties, cozy dinners, or Tuesday pick-me-ups, this beauty flips the script on traditional apple desserts. Get ready for gasps—and second slices.
Ingredients
Topping:
-
3–4 Gala or Honeycrisp apples, peeled & thinly sliced
-
2 tbsp unsalted butter
-
½ cup red cinnamon candies (Red Hots)
-
¼ cup water
-
½ cup granulated sugar
Cake Batter:
-
1½ cups all-purpose flour
-
1½ tsp baking powder
-
½ tsp baking soda
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
¼ tsp nutmeg
-
¼ tsp salt
-
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
-
¾ cup brown sugar
-
2 large eggs
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
-
¼ cup milk
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9″ round cake pan; line bottom with parchment.
-
Candy glaze: In saucepan, melt butter, sugar, water, and candies over medium heat. Stir until syrupy (4 mins). Pour into pan.
-
Arrange apples over syrup in concentric circles.
-
Dry mix: Whisk flour, baking powder/soda, spices, salt.
-
Cream butter & sugar until fluffy (2-3 mins). Add eggs, vanilla, then sour cream and milk.
-
Combine: Mix in dry ingredients in two batches until just blended.
-
Assemble: Spoon batter gently over apples. Smooth top.
-
Bake 40–45 mins until golden and toothpick-clean. Cool 5 mins only, then invert onto plate.
Notes
-
Add bourbon to apples for a grown-up kick.
-
Can’t find Red Hots? Use 1 tsp cinnamon + ¼ cup maple syrup.
-
Flip at 5 minutes—no sooner, no later!
-
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or cinnamon whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
Nutrition
- Calories: 310 kcal per serving
- Sugar: 28g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g