Apple Pie Snack Cake

This Apple Pie Snack Cake is the ultimate comfort bake – a soft, spiced traybake topped with tender, caramelised apple slices and a drizzle of cinnamon glaze. It captures all the flavours of classic apple pie without the fuss of rolling pastry, making it a much easier bake for busy mornings or cosy afternoons.

The apples bake into the sponge, giving every bite a sweet, juicy hit, while the glaze adds just the right touch of indulgence. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, and ideal served warm with custard, cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This is my go-to when I’ve got too many apples – it tastes like apple pie, but you don’t have to roll out pastry!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All the flavour of apple pie, none of the fuss.
• Perfect for sharing and easy to transport.
• A gorgeous bake for autumn gatherings.

Ingredients Breakdown

• Plain flour & baking powder – for a light sponge base.
• Butter & brown sugar – buttery, caramel-like flavour.
• Eggs – help the cake rise and stay tender.
• Milk or yogurt – adds moisture.
• Spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for warmth.
• Apple pie topping – cooked apples in a caramel-cinnamon syrup.
• Cinnamon glaze – for drizzling.

Tips

• Use tart apples like Bramley or Granny Smith for a balanced flavour. The apples I used were quite sweet which made the whole cake sweet, but I don’t mind that.
• Serve this apple pie cake warm with custard or ice cream (custard would be my favourite!).

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Apple Pie Snack Cake

This Apple Pie Snack Cake is the ultimate comfort bake – soft, fluffy sponge topped with caramelised apples and a drizzle of cinnamon glaze. It’s simple, nostalgic, and tastes just like homemade apple pie without the fuss of pastry. The topping bakes into the cake beautifully, creating gooey apple pockets in every bite. Perfect for sharing, especially with a dollop of custard or cream.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:45 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: British

Keyword: Apple Cake Recipe, Apple Pie Cake, Traybake

Servings: 9

Equipment

• Weighing Scales
• Stand Mixer
• Greaseproof Paper
• Wire Rack
• 8 inch cake tin (square)

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 250 grams plain flour 1½ cups
• 1½ teaspoon baking powder 1½ tsp
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tsp
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ tsp
• ¼ teaspoon ginger ¼ tsp
• ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ tsp
• 160 grams unsalted butter softened ½ cup
• 200 grams light brown sugar ¾ cup
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 120 millilitres milk or yogurt ½ cup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tsp

For the apple pie topping:

• 2 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced 2 medium apples
• 30 grams butter 2 tbsp
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tbsp
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ tsp

For the cinnamon glaze:

• 100 grams icing sugar ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line an 8 inch square cake tin with parchment.
• Make the topping – melt butter in a pan then add the chopped and peeled apples, sugar, and cinnamon. Cook 5–7 mins until tender. Cool slightly.
• For the cake, cream butter and sugar until fluffy using a stand mixer or hand mixer and mixing bowl.
• Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
• Fold in flour, baking powder, spices and salt alternately with milk.
• Spread batter into tin.
• Top evenly with apples.
• Bake 35–40 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
• Make the cinnamon glaze – mix the icing sugar and cinnamon with the milk until you've got the right consistency – you want it thick but drizzle-able. Drizzle over the snack cake, and allow to set for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

This apple pie snack cake will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container.