Apple Baked Goods Recipe: Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake Squares

This apple baked goods recipe turns fresh apples into soft cinnamon apple cake squares with a moist crumb and a crisp cinnamon-sugar top. The batter comes together in one bowl, bakes in a square pan, and slices neatly for breakfast, dessert, lunchboxes, or a cozy fall snack.

Apple pie may be the first dessert that comes to mind in apple season, but cake squares are faster and easier. You do not need to roll pastry, cook a separate filling, or wait hours before serving. Small apple pieces bake directly into the tender batter, while brown sugar and cinnamon create a warmly spiced top.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Bake

• Fresh apples in every bite: Small diced pieces stay juicy and tender.
• One-bowl batter: The wet and dry ingredients mix without special equipment.
• No frosting required: Cinnamon sugar creates its own crisp, flavorful finish.
• Easy to portion: Bake it in a square pan and cut it into 16 snack-size pieces.
• Freezer friendly: The cooled squares freeze and thaw well.

For another simple apple dessert, try our apple pie filling coffee cake. If you want the traditional pastry version, our apple pie recipe from scratch walks you through every step.

Ingredients

• Apples: Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith hold their shape well.
• All-purpose flour: Spoon it into the measuring cup and level it instead of packing it.
• Baking powder and salt: These give the cake lift and balance the sweetness.
• Granulated and brown sugar: White sugar sweetens the crumb; brown sugar flavors the topping.
• Eggs: Bring them to room temperature for a smoother batter.
• Neutral oil: Canola, vegetable, or avocado oil keeps the squares moist.
• Greek yogurt: Adds tenderness and a gentle tang.
• Vanilla and cinnamon: Classic flavors that make fresh apples taste even warmer.

Which Apples Are Best for Baking?

Choose firm apples with a balance of sweetness and acidity. Honeycrisp and Pink Lady taste naturally sweet, while Granny Smith gives the cake a sharper contrast. Mixing one tart apple with two sweet apples creates excellent flavor. Avoid very soft apples because they can release too much moisture and disappear into the batter.

How to Make Cinnamon Apple Cake Squares

1. Prepare the pan. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the apples. Peel, core, and dice the apples into small ½-inch pieces. You should have about 3 cups.
3. Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl.
4. Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, eggs, oil, yogurt, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Make the batter. Fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients just until a few flour streaks remain. Fold in the diced apples.
6. Fill the pan. Spread the thick batter evenly in the prepared pan.
7. Add cinnamon sugar. Mix brown sugar with the remaining cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter.
8. Bake. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Cool and slice. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then lift out and cool before cutting into 16 squares.

Tips for Moist Apple Cake

• Dice the apples evenly so every piece softens at the same rate.
• Do not squeeze or drain the apples; their natural juice flavors the crumb.
• Fold the batter only until combined. Overmixing develops gluten and makes cake tough.
• Start checking at 35 minutes because metal and glass pans bake differently.
• Let the squares cool before slicing so the moist crumb has time to set.

Easy Variations

Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch. A pinch of nutmeg or cardamom gives the cake a deeper spice flavor. You can replace up to half of the apples with firm pears, or add a handful of dried cranberries for a sweet-tart holiday version.

For a richer dessert, serve each square warm with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce. For another portable apple treat, make our caramel apple pie bombs. Our apple juice pie is another creative way to bring apple flavor to the dessert table.

Storage and Freezing

Store the cooled cake squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Place parchment between layers so the cinnamon topping stays intact. Bring refrigerated pieces to room temperature or warm them briefly before serving.

To freeze, wrap individual squares and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for about an hour on the counter. Warm a square in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to refresh its soft texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling produces the softest, most even cake texture. You can leave thin skins on if you prefer a more rustic result.

Can I use applesauce instead of fresh apples?

Not as a direct replacement. Applesauce changes the moisture balance and does not provide the tender fruit pieces that define these cake squares.

Why is my apple cake soggy?

The apples may have been cut too large, the cake may be underbaked, or the fruit may have been unusually juicy. Dice apples into ½-inch pieces and test the center before removing the pan.

Can I bake this in a 9×13-inch pan?

Double the recipe for a 9×13-inch pan. Begin checking at 35 minutes and continue until the center is set.

Can I make this apple baked goods recipe dairy-free?

Yes. Use a thick unsweetened dairy-free yogurt in place of Greek yogurt and check that all other ingredients meet your needs.

Apple Baked Goods Recipe: Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake Squares

---

Be the first to rate this recipe

• Author: Emma & Ella
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 16 squares 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Moist cinnamon apple cake squares packed with fresh apples and finished with a crisp brown sugar topping.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 medium firm baking apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 3 cups)
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup neutral oil
• ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line and grease a 9-inch square pan.
2. Cut apples. Peel, core, and dice apples into ½-inch pieces.
3. Mix dry. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
4. Mix wet. Whisk granulated sugar, eggs, oil, yogurt, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Combine. Fold dry ingredients into wet just until nearly combined, then fold in apples.
6. Top. Spread batter in pan. Mix brown sugar with remaining cinnamon and sprinkle over batter.
7. Bake. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until golden and a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool. Cool 20 minutes in pan, then lift out and slice into 16 squares.

Notes

Use firm baking apples and cut them evenly. Do not overmix the batter. Cool before slicing for the neatest squares.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square