Description
This Easy Apple Oatmeal Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert or breakfast treat combining the wholesome goodness of rolled oats and fresh Granny Smith apples. With a tempting cinnamon-spiced crumb and a crunchy sweet topping, this cake balances natural sweetness from applesauce and brown sugar, making it both cozy and satisfying for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cups rolled oats (or large flake oats)
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (+ 1/4 tsp for dusting apples)
- Dash of allspice (optional)
- Dash of cloves (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oil
- 3/4 cups unsweetened applesauce (room temperature)
- 3/4 cups light brown sugar (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
Apples and Topping
- 1 medium-sized Granny Smith apple (shredded)
- 1 medium-sized Granny Smith apple (cut in cubes)
- 3 tsp white sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃). Line your baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside to ensure the cake doesn’t stick and bakes evenly.
- Prepare Apples: Peel both Granny Smith apples. Shred one apple and cut the other into small cubes. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp cinnamon over the apples and mix thoroughly to coat them evenly. This adds flavor and texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, and optional spices like allspice and cloves until well combined. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the oil, unsweetened applesauce, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and homogenous. Scrape the sides with a spatula as needed.
- Form Batter: Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients using a spatula until just combined to avoid over-mixing, which could make the cake dense.
- Add Apples to Batter: Carefully fold in the prepared shredded and cubed apples just until evenly distributed into the batter. Over-mixing can affect the texture.
- Transfer to Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top for even baking.
- Create Crunchy Topping: In a small cup, mix the white sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter surface to give a sweet, crunchy crust once baked.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when ready.
Notes
- Using apples shredded and diced creates a nice variation in texture.
- Ensure all wet ingredients and eggs are at room temperature for better batter consistency.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
- Adjust baking time according to your oven; start checking at 40 minutes.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free blend.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
