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Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

August 29, 2013 by Audra 44 Comments

sheetcake3

I don’t care that it’s 80s and humid out- I’m ready for fall. I am dreaming of it nearly every day! I crave football season, and crunchy leaves, and pumpkin patches and apple cider. I couldn’t be more excited for boots and sweaters and that crisp feeling in the air. I’m over you summer! Sorry!!

Andy loves summer and I feel bad wishing for fall because before we know it dreary winter will be upon us and I’ll be at the other end of this vicious cycle. To be honest though- winter means holidays and then the New Year and then BABY so I’m pretty excited for all of it. What I’m not excited for is that sweaty, sticky, humid feeling I get every time I walk outside…so there’s that!

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To anticipate the season that I so love, I decided to bring out the apples. I just couldn’t wait! (I am going to wait a couple weeks on the pumpkin but I can’t promise that.) I wanted to make a simple, easy cake that was no fuss and easy to transport. I had a vision of juicy cinnamon apple chunks, a moist and tender cake,  with a creamy frosting on top. This recipe is easy to throw together, even easier to frost thanks to the whole sheet thing, and oh so good. I made it for my book club and every single of the the ladies had seconds. (including me!!)

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Print
Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 20-25 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 2-3 tart apples (like Granny Smith) peeled and cut into small pieces (about 3 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (12.75 oz.)
  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1⅓ cups vegetable oil (I used coconut oil but any kind will do.)
  • ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat over to 350F. Prep a quarter sheet pan* by spraying with cooking spray and dusting with flour. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter and add the apples, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of white sugar. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the apples are well coated and slightly soft.
  3. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the oil, sugars and eggs. Beat for 3 minutes or until the mixture is fluffy and light. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients while mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in the apples.
  6. Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  7. Cool completely before frosting.
For Frosting
  1. Cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time until creamy. Add the vanilla extract.
  2. Frost cake right in the pan and refrigerate until ready to serve. (Bring cake to room temp again before serving.)
Notes
* If you don't have a quarter sheet pan you can use a normal 9x13 lasagna-type baking dish!

Cake recipe adapted from: Martha Stewart
3.5.3251

Filed Under: Cake, Recipes Tagged With: Apple, Cinnamon, Cream Cheese

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Comments

  1. Javi Trulove says

    August 29, 2013 at 11:50 am

    Getting ready for the fall season, that cake seems to be perfect all year round. Totally going to try this out

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says

    August 29, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    The cake looks so moist, chunks of apples and that creamy frosting..mm!! I want some so badly!! I would take seconds too!! :)

    Reply
  3. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

    August 29, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    This is one gorgeous cake that screams Fall!

    Reply
  4. Annie @ Annie's Noms says

    August 29, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Ahhhh I can’t wait for fall either!! It’s just too hot and sticky, although I feel for you as I’m not pregnant! I know what you mean about not wishing away Summer and getting into Winter, but I am definitely ready for some comforting flavours and cooler days’nights! Just love apple and cinnamon together, never tried it with cream cheese frosting though, but I bet it’s delicious!

    Reply
  5. Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen says

    August 29, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    Holy heck yes yes yes. For realz, fall needs to get here quick! More apples and spices and pumpkin!!!

    Reply
  6. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugark says

    August 29, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    I definitely need to try this cake! Looks awesome!

    Reply
  7. Lauren @ Pass the Spork says

    August 29, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    I’m with you on being ready for fall! This past weekend, I made apple butter muffins just to have a little taste of the season and I can’t stop thinking about all things pumpkin. I did hear a rumor that the fall beverages are starting at Starbucks next week, so it’s almost here!

    Reply
  8. happy birthday with barbie cake says

    August 29, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Your Cakes are nice, But I have a question, The sticks are made by what? and is not this sticks and creams accountable for being fattiest?

    Reply
    • Audra says

      August 29, 2013 at 3:08 pm

      A stick is a stick of butter- and fat is what makes frosting so delicious!

      Reply
      • happy birthday with barbie cake says

        August 30, 2013 at 2:10 am

        thanks

        Reply
  9. Meg says

    August 29, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Oh, I’m so excited for fall — and this would be the perfect treat to kick it all off! Apple and cinnamon — would could be better? And rumor has it that my local Starbucks is already making my beloved pumpkin spice latte . . . I’m allllll over that mess!

    Reply
  10. Emily @ Life on Food says

    August 29, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    I am so ready for Fall. I cannot think of a better way to jump right in than with this cake. It looks and sounds amazingly delicious!

    Reply
  11. Marnely Rodriguez Murray says

    August 29, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    Oh I am SO ready for fall!!!!!

    Reply
  12. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says

    August 29, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    YUM! I am SO ready for Fall too, even though it’s in the 90s. This cake is beautiful!

    Reply
  13. tara says

    August 29, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    I am SO over summer and Los Angeles just decided “hey, let’s have another summer” and I am so not on board. Fall is my favorite. Being hot is my least. There’s nothing attractive about summer unless you are on vacation with a house right on top of the ocean. Boob sweat? Give me a break!

    Reply
  14. Abbie @ Needs Salt says

    August 29, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    Your cream cheese frosting looks amazing! And so does the cake, of course. <3 I'll have a slice, please. ;)
    Pinned!

    Reply
  15. Dianna says

    August 29, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Are you sure that is not a half sheet pan?

    Reply
    • Audra says

      August 29, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Positive :) though I see how it may look bigger in the pictures!

      Reply
  16. Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says

    August 30, 2013 at 4:15 am

    I couldn’t be more excited about Fall, too! Especially since it brings along bunches of apple cakes and pumpkin pies…this one looks easy to put together but I like that there’s a little switch on the classic apple cake thanks to the cheese frosting and the pinch of cinnamon. I’m sure this burst with fall-flavor!

    xo, Elisa

    Reply
  17. Bobette says

    August 30, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Not trying to be arguementative–but a quart sheet pan measures 9×13 per King Arthur Flour website and you said if you use a 9×13 pan your cake would be thicker. A half sheet cake pan is 13×18. Are you sure this isn’t a half sheet pan? I just want to be sure of the correct size pan, so it doesn’t run over in my oven.
    It does look yummy.

    Reply
    • Audra says

      August 30, 2013 at 1:07 pm

      It’s definitely a quarter sheet pan. It does seem like the cake wouldn’t be too much thicker in a lasagna pan (though I realize the one I have is 9×12 not 9×13!)- I’ll correct that. For some reason- due to the rounded edges- my cakes always come out a bit thinner in my quarter sheet pan! Thanks for pointing out my mistake!

      Reply
  18. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says

    August 30, 2013 at 12:58 pm

    Oh wow, Audra! This looks so irresistible. I want to dive right in with two forks! I can’t wait for fall flavors to start cropping up everywhere…

    Reply
  19. Jennifer | Bake or Break says

    August 30, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Why don’t you live in my neighborhood?!? I’d be happy to test things like this. Seriously, this is everything a fall dessert should be. <3

    Reply
  20. Cory says

    August 30, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Yum! Or Omnomnom! But not today, it’s 97 in Chicago. College football starts tomorrow, and a pan of these will definitely be on the menu in the next few weeks! Speaking of your book club….. I’ve read most of your selections and have enjoyed them all. Anythng new to recommend?

    Reply
  21. Colette says

    August 31, 2013 at 6:11 am

    Save me a slice – I’m on my way! xo

    Reply
  22. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says

    September 1, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    This looks amazing… oh, and my mom told me she already made the cake and loooooved it (apparently subtituted a little butter for some of the oil).

    Reply
  23. Lily @ Life, Love, and Cupcakes says

    September 1, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    Apple cake is one of my favorite fall cakes! I don’t usually frost them, but love the idea of cream cheese frosting!

    Reply
  24. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    September 2, 2013 at 9:19 am

    Mmmm, that cake looks amazing. And I’m already baking and cooking with pumpkin, haha — I couldn’t wait! Bring on fall!

    Reply
  25. DessertForTwo says

    September 2, 2013 at 9:50 am

    I’m so ready for fall with apples and cinnamon, too! This cake looks great! I’d eat it for breakfast :)

    Reply
  26. Orla says

    September 4, 2013 at 5:43 am

    This looks so good!! :) In Ireland people only ever make apple tarts (read pies!) or crumbles (aka cobblers!) This looks amazing though, I will definitely try it out soon! My grandmother has a small orchard and we have bags of apples so they’ll be put to good use! Thanks so much for sharing Audra! :)

    Reply
  27. Nutmeg Nanny says

    September 7, 2013 at 11:18 am

    This cake looks so comforting :) apple & cinnamon sounds so lovely, especially topped with this delectable cream cheese frosting!! I’m in heaven!!

    Reply
  28. Sylvia says

    September 17, 2013 at 12:07 am

    Do You Think You Could Use 2 Nine-Inch Round Pans? I’m SO cooking/Baking Challenged, Sorry If This Is A Dumb Question!

    Reply
  29. Renee says

    November 26, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    Is this a thicker batter??

    Reply
  30. Sharon says

    December 4, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    I adjusted this for high altitude (7,000 ft) by adding 1/2 a jumbo egg and few more Tbsp of flour a tad less sugar and soda and it came out great!! Now I just have to figure out the lucky recipient otherwise I’ll eat it all!!! Yummy desserts usually get cut into one biters for each of my twins classes – I have to say they usually get excited when they see me coming and it makes me feel like a hero. ;). Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  31. Iva says

    December 17, 2013 at 1:55 am

    I make it with olive oil and later when serving I drizzle it with very fine olive oil on a serving plate. Sounds weird, but it’s perfect together. I strongly recommend it :D

    Reply
    • Audra says

      December 17, 2013 at 10:58 am

      Great tip! :)

      Reply
      • Melànie says

        October 13, 2017 at 5:43 pm

        Above someone asked if you can use 2 9×9 pans instead and she received no answer. I’m wondering the same thing?

        Reply
  32. Jennifer says

    November 5, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    I just found this on Pinterest & had a couple Granny Smiths on hand so I had whip it up. (And then I had to run to the store for cream cheese!). Well worth the trip in the rain – it is DELICIOUS!!! I can’t wait to try more if your recipes!

    Reply
  33. abigail giuffre says

    January 9, 2015 at 7:25 am

    I just made this for my best friend’s surprise birthday. Wish me luck for tonight

    Reply
    • Audra says

      January 9, 2015 at 11:26 am

      How did it go!?

      Reply
  34. abigail Giuffre says

    January 13, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    ok so here is the thing. my friend runs a cafe. her husband asked me to bake her a cake and I made this. bt the pressure was on as he said he wanted to give a piece to all our customers ..I served around 40 pieces and not on came back. huge success! thank u so much

    Reply
  35. Susan says

    August 3, 2015 at 11:35 am

    WILL A 13X9 PAN WORK FOR THIS CAKE? SOUNDS YUMMY!!

    Reply
  36. Michele says

    September 4, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Can you freeze the cake and frost later?

    Reply
    • Audra says

      September 5, 2017 at 2:59 pm

      Yes!

      Reply

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