Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with this incredibly moist and flavorful **Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake**. Designed to be a perfect, no-fuss fall dessert, it delivers a delightful apple aroma paired with just the right amount of warm cinnamon, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.
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The Ultimate Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake: A Fall Baking Essential
There’s something inherently comforting about a home-baked dessert, especially when the crisp air of autumn rolls around. As someone who appreciates good food in all its forms – from gourmet five-star meals to the simple pleasure of a roadside hot dog stand – I believe the same philosophy applies to desserts. While I can certainly appreciate an intricately decorated cupcake or a delicate box of macarons, my heart truly belongs to those wholesome, comforting treats that evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
Growing up, Sunday nights were a treasured ritual. We’d gather at my grandparents’ house, and my mom, an exceptional cook and baker, would always bring a homemade dessert. She was perfectly capable of creating elaborate, catering-worthy confections, but for those Sunday dinners, she always opted for simple recipes: chocolate cheesecake cupcakes, classic white cake with chocolate frosting, or delightfully chewy Rice Krispies treats. These were straightforward, unfussy desserts, but they were made with love and consistently brought smiles to everyone’s faces. They weren’t just desserts; they were moments of joy, shared around a family table.
These cherished memories are precisely why sheet cakes hold such a special place in my culinary repertoire. They embody everything I love about baking: ease, generosity, and an unmistakable homey charm. When it comes to quintessential fall baking, an exceptional apple sheet cake recipe is truly all you need. Today, I am thrilled to share with you a recipe that I consider the perfect fall dessert—a moist, tender, and deeply flavorful Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake that will undoubtedly become a staple in your autumn kitchen.
The Crisco Difference: Achieving Unparalleled Moistness and Texture
As you delve into this recipe, you’ll notice a unique instruction right at the start: melting Crisco® shortening with buttermilk in a saucepan. This step might seem unconventional, as traditional cake recipes often call for creaming shortening or butter with sugar. However, I urge you to embrace this method, as it’s the secret to this cake’s distinctive and superior texture. When shortening is melted into a liquid ingredient like buttermilk, it changes how the fat interacts with the other ingredients, particularly the flour.
Instead of creating air pockets through creaming, this method results in a batter that produces a cake with a remarkably tight, velvety crumb that is incredibly moist. The apple flavor, infused with aromatic cinnamon, truly shines through this delicate structure. It’s a delightful departure from the texture of a traditional creamed cake, offering a dense yet tender bite that’s simply irresistible. This technique ensures every slice of your Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is bursting with flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Crisco shortening is a remarkably versatile ingredient, extending far beyond its well-known use in pie crusts. It’s a fantastic choice for a wide array of savory dishes and numerous other desserts. For this particular recipe, I especially appreciate using Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks. Not only do they contribute significantly to the cake’s moistness, but Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening also boasts zero grams trans-fat per serving1. Moreover, the convenient, measurable packaging of the shortening sticks makes them incredibly easy to use and store, streamlining your baking process and ensuring consistent results every time.
Tips for Perfecting Your Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
Choosing the Right Apples
The success of an apple cake largely hinges on the quality and type of apples you use. For this Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake, I recommend using firm, tart-sweet apples that hold their shape well during baking. Excellent choices include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or even a mix of Granny Smith and a sweeter variety to achieve a balanced flavor profile. Peel and chop your apples into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution throughout the cake batter.
The Magic of Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
No sheet cake is complete without a luscious frosting, and this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is the ideal complement to the apple-infused cake. The tanginess of the cream cheese perfectly balances the sweetness of the cake, while an extra hint of cinnamon ties all the flavors together, creating a harmonious and utterly delightful experience. Ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for the smoothest, fluffiest frosting texture.
A Cake That Gets Better with Time
One of the most remarkable qualities of this Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is that it actually improves with age! While it’s absolutely delicious when freshly frosted and served, I find that a little time works wonders. I highly recommend making this cake the day before you plan to serve it. Simply bake, cool completely, frost, then cover it well and refrigerate overnight. The flavors have a chance to meld and deepen, and the moisture from the apples and buttermilk distributes further, resulting in an even more tender and succulent cake on the second day. This makes it an ideal dessert for entertaining, as it reduces your day-of stress!
This cake is destined to become your go-to dessert throughout the fall season and beyond. There’s no need to wait for a special occasion or even Sunday night. This Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake is perfect any day of the week, bringing a touch of homemade comfort and autumn cheer to your table.
More Easy Cake Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of this Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake, you might be looking for more straightforward yet satisfying cake recipes. Here are a few more easy cake recipes that are perfect for any occasion, from weeknight desserts to family gatherings:
- Hearty Oatmeal Cake: A wholesome and comforting cake that’s surprisingly moist and flavorful.
- Effortless Dump Cake: The ultimate easy dessert, requiring minimal effort but delivering maximum flavor.
- Light and Zesty Yogurt Cake: A bright and tangy cake that’s perfect for a lighter treat or alongside a cup of tea.
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Apple Cinnamon Sheet Cake
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Ingredients
For the Cake:
- Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
- 1 stick Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups plus 1 tablespoon Pillsbury BEST™ All Purpose Flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled chopped apples
For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
For the Cake:
- PREHEAT oven to 375ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with Crisco No-Stick Cooking Spray to prevent sticking.
- MELT Crisco shortening with buttermilk in a small saucepan over medium heat until the shortening is fully melted and the mixture is warm. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, WHISK TOGETHER the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. Add the lightly beaten eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed just until the ingredients are moistened. Gradually beat in the slightly cooled buttermilk and Crisco mixture, mixing only until combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently FOLD in the peeled and chopped apples using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- POUR the batter into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- BAKE for 40-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, BEAT the room temperature cream cheese and butter until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, beating slowly until fully incorporated and smooth. Stir in the cinnamon and continue to beat the frosting for another minute or two until it reaches a light, airy, and creamy consistency.
- Once the cake has completely cooled, generously FROST the entire top with the prepared Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Slice and serve!
Recipe Notes:
1See nutrition information for fat and saturated fat content.
As a proud participant of the Crisco Ambassador Program, I’ve received compensation for my time and product samples for review purposes. Be assured that all opinions expressed are genuinely my own. I am incredibly grateful to collaborate with companies and organizations that I wholeheartedly believe in, and I thank you for supporting them, too.