These Apple Cake Squares are exactly what you’ll want to have with a cup of tea this fall. A moist cake square filled with diced apples and cinnamon sugar. They are great served just like this or dressed up with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

So, so today, I’m bringing another fall inspired recipe with these delicious Apple Cake Squares. If you’re an apple dessert fan, these are a must make. Much like my Mini Apple Cinnamon Crumbles, or even the Mini Pumpkin Pies, these are perfect for fall entertaining and Thanksgiving. You can bring them to a holiday event or a potluck. Don’t forget the ice cream!

Check out more Delicious Desserts For Fall!

What are These Apple Cake Squares Like

• Difficulty – This recipe is pretty easy to make and uses basic pantry staples plus apples. It comes together pretty quickly and bakes in about 35 minutes
• Taste – Just as the recipe states, it’s tastes just like apples and cinnamon. If you’ve had a chance to try out the Apple Cinnamon Strudel Muffins, these are a like their cousin! One of things that makes this loaf so great, is tossing the apples in a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture before adding them to the cake. A game changer! It’s soft, moist and holds it shape when cut into squares.
• Serving – This recipe is baked in an 8 x 8 brownie pan and makes 16 brownie size servings. You can easily cut the cake squares larger if you prefer.

Ingredients

• Flour – This recipe uses all purpose flour.
• Spices – I used ground cinnamon in the cake batter as well as in the cinnamon mixture for the apples.
• Baking powder – Baking powder is used as a rising agent for the loaf.
• Baking Soda – Baking soda is also used as a rising agent in this loaf.
• Salt – Regular table salt helps enhance the flavours.
• Butter – I used unsalted butter at room temperature.
• Sugar – Granulated white sugar is used in the loaf.
• Eggs – 2 large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla – Vanilla extract enhances flavours in this cake.
• Milk – I used buttermilk which is richer than regular milk.
• Apples – I used two medium sized apples. They were peeled, cored and cut into about 1/2 inch pieces. It’s best to use firm apples like Figi, Granny Smith or Macintosh for baking.
• Brown sugar – Brown sugar is used in coating the apples in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven – Grease and line with parchment paper an 8 x 8 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f/180 degrees c.
2. Combine dry ingredients – In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Whisk to combine and set aside.
3. Mix butter, sugar and eggs – In a large mixing bowl, add the butter and granulated white sugar. Mix on high speed until light and fluffy about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
4. Mix batter – Add half of the flour mixture to the batter and fold in until just combined. Add all the buttermilk and mix in until combined, about 30 seconds. Fold in remaining flour until just combined. Don’t over mix.
5. Combine apples with brown sugar – In a small bowl, combine the apples with brown sugar and remaining tablespoon of cinnamon. Toss to completely combine.
6. Fill baking pan – Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle over half of the apples. Use a knife to gently swirl into the top of the batter. Pour over remaining batter. Sprinkle over remaining apples and gently swirl into batter with a knife.
7. Bake – Bake between 30 – 40 minutes.
8. Cool – Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on a cooling rack. Leave to cool.

Recipe Tips

• Evenly dice the apples – It’s important that you dice the apples the same size so they all fully cook and are soft.
• Don’t over bake the cake – Remember all ovens are different. When a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean, the cake is baked. The baking time may vary between 30 – 40 minutes. Mine baked perfectly in 35 minutes.
• Allow to cool before cutting – If you cut the cake when it’s hot, it will be difficult and the cake may crumble apart. It’s best to let it cool down before cutting into it.

Substitutions

• Buttermilk – You can use whole milk, sour cream or even Greek yogurt in this cake. Results will vary slightly but it will still work great.
• Apples – For a slightly different flavour, you could use diced pears, peaches or plums.
• Additions – You can add about 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to this cake for an additional flavour and texture boost.

Serving and Storage

• Serving – This is a great loaf to serve at a Brunch or to add to a Thanksgiving buffet this fall. You can slice it up and serve it with butter and honey, delicious. Alternatively, you can dress it up for dessert with fresh whipped cream and Homemade Caramel Sauce. A perfect fall treat.
• Storage – Store on the counter in an airtight container up to two days. In the fridge for about five days. And you can even wrap it and keep in stored in the freezer for about two months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Caramelized Apples

Caramelized Apples are the perfect fall treat. Made with apples, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and cooked in under 30 minutes. They make the perfect topping for pancakes, waffles or to serve all on their own.

Check out this recipe

Apple Cinnamon Loaf

This delicious Apple Cinnamon Loaf is packed full of seasonal flavors. A quick bread made with pantry staples and diced apples tossed in cinnamon sugar for the perfect fall treat. A great loaf to add to a Thanksgiving table, a brunch any day of the week or just to enjoy with a cup of tea!

Check out this recipe

Easy Apple Danish

This is such an Easy Apple Danish to make. Using frozen puff pasty and then a home made apple filling topped off with a sweet glaze. Perfect for weekend brunching!

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US CustomaryMetric

Apple Cake Squares

These Apple Cake Squares are exactly what you'll want to have with a cup of tea this fall. A moist cake square filled with diced apples and cinnamon sugar. They are great served just like this or dressed up with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Brunch, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: North American

Keyword: apple desserts, fall baking, thanksgiving recipes

Servings: 16 cake squares

Calories: 185kcal

Author: Julia Pinney

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

For the Apple Cinnamon layer:

• 2 medium apples peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Grease and line with parchment paper an 8 x 8 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f/180 degrees c.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Whisk to combine and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the butter and granulated white sugar. Mix on high speed until light and fluffy about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Whisk in the vanilla extract.
• Add half of the flour mixture to the batter and fold in until just combined. Add all the buttermilk and mix in until combined, about 30 seconds. Fold in remaining flour until just combined. Don’t over mix.
• In a small bowl, combine the apples with brown sugar and remaining tablespoon of cinnamon. Toss to completely combine.
• Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle over half of the apples. Use a knife to gently swirl into the top of the batter. Pour over remaining batter. Sprinkle over remaining apples and gently swirl into batter with a knife.
• Bake between 30 – 40 minutes.
• Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on a cooling rack. Leave to cool.

*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Nutrition Facts

Apple Cake Squares

Amount Per Serving (1 cake square)

Calories 185 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 40mg13%

Sodium 202mg9%

Potassium 74mg2%

Carbohydrates 29g10%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 17g19%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 244IU5%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 47mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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