Alltagsküche
Kochen, wie es zuhause schmeckt
Cinnamon Apple Cake with Raisins: Moist and Easy
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓
6 eggs
- ✓
180 g caster sugar for the batter
- ✓
20 g caster sugar for sprinkling
- ✓
a pinch of salt
- ✓
200 ml double cream
- ✓
300 g plain flour
- ✓
2 tsp baking powder
- ✓
2 tsp ground cinnamon for the batter
- ✓
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon for sprinkling
- ✓
4 large firm, slightly tart apples
- ✓
100 g raisins
- ✓
1 tsp lemon juice, optional for the apple pieces
- ✓
1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
📊 Nutritional Information
This recipe is also available in German.
Explore these articles
📌 Overview
This cinnamon apple cake with raisins is a moist sponge-style cake for autumn, winter, teatime and family baking. The apples add fruitiness and moisture, the raisins bring small bursts of sweetness, and cinnamon gives the cake its warm classic flavour. To keep the apple cake light rather than dense, the eggs are first whisked with sugar and salt until pale and airy, the flour mixture is folded in briefly, and the apple pieces are distributed evenly through the batter. Firm, slightly tart apples such as Boskoop, Elstar, Braeburn or Cox work especially well because they keep some structure and balance the sweetness of the raisins.
You may also find it useful to look at recipes Classic Viennese Apple Cake Recipe for Autumn Baking, Winter Apple Cake with Marzipan Stars, and Moist Apple and Walnut Cake Recipe for Cozy Autumn Baking, in addition to this one.
👨🍳 How to make Cinnamon Apple Cake with Raisins
- 1
Preheat the oven to 170°C conventional heat. Grease a 26 cm springform tin and dust it lightly with flour, or line the base with baking parchment.
- 2
Whisk the eggs with 180 g caster sugar and a pinch of salt for 4 to 5 minutes, until pale, airy and visibly increased in volume. This helps prevent the cake from becoming dense.
- 3
Briefly fold in the double cream. If using vanilla, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract at this stage. Do not overmix, or you may lose the air beaten into the eggs.
- 4
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Sift this mixture gradually over the egg and cream mixture and fold it in gently until no dry patches of flour remain.
- 5
Peel, core and dice the apples into small, even pieces. If your apples are very sweet, toss them with 1 teaspoon lemon juice for a fresher flavour.
- 6
Mix the apple pieces with the raisins. If the raisins are very dry, soak them in warm water or apple juice for 10 minutes, then drain them well. For a quicker version, add them directly.
- 7
Gently fold the apple and raisin mixture into the batter, making sure the fruit is evenly distributed without overworking the mixture.
- 8
Pour the batter into the prepared springform tin and smooth the surface. Tap the tin lightly on the worktop once to remove large air pockets.
- 9
Bake the cake on the middle shelf for the first 20 minutes.
- 10
Meanwhile, mix 20 g caster sugar with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. After the first 20 minutes, sprinkle this cinnamon sugar evenly over the surface of the cake.
- 11
Return the cake to the oven and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- 12
Let the cake rest in the tin for 10 minutes before removing the springform ring. Leave it to cool completely on a wire rack so the crumb can set and the cake can be sliced cleanly.
🧠 Why It Works
This cinnamon apple cake with raisins works because it combines an airy sponge-style batter with plenty of fruit moisture. Whisking the eggs with sugar and salt traps air in the batter. Double cream adds fat and moisture without making the cake as heavy as a butter-rich batter. Baking powder supports the rise, while gentle folding after the flour is added keeps the crumb from becoming tough or dense. Firm, slightly tart apples bring juice and freshness, raisins add sweet bursts, and cinnamon ties both together with warm spice. The cinnamon sugar is added after the first 20 minutes so it stays aromatic and does not sink too early into the batter or darken too much.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Why is my cinnamon apple cake dense?
The batter was probably overmixed after the flour was added, or the eggs were not whisked long enough. Whisk the eggs, sugar and salt until pale and airy, then fold in the flour mixture only until no dry streaks remain.
Why is my apple cake too wet or soggy?
Very juicy apples, pieces that are too large or soaked raisins that were not drained can make the cake too wet. Use firm apples, dice them small and drain soaked raisins well. A skewer inserted into the centre should not show raw batter.
Why are the apples still hard after baking?
The apple pieces may have been too large or the apples too firm and unripe. Cut them into small, even cubes so they soften during the bake without making the cake collapse.
What can I do if the cake tastes too sweet?
Use tart apples such as Boskoop, Elstar or Cox and toss them with a little lemon juice. You can also reduce the raisins or replace part of them with chopped nuts for a less sweet result.
Why do the apples and raisins sink to the bottom?
Fruit can sink if the batter is too loose or the apple pieces are too large. Dice the apples smaller and fold the fruit through evenly. If the raisins were soaked, drain them very well before adding them.
How can I reheat cinnamon apple cake without drying it out?
Warm individual slices for 5 to 8 minutes at about 120°C. Cover them loosely if the cake has already been cut. A microwave softens the cake quickly but can heat it unevenly.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For the moistest apple cake, use firm, slightly tart apples. Boskoop gives deep flavour, while Elstar and Braeburn hold their shape well.
- •
If you do not like raisins, replace them with chopped walnuts, almonds, cranberries or extra apple pieces. Nuts make the cake less sweet and add crunch.
- •
Raisins do not have to be soaked, but they become softer if soaked for 10 minutes in warm water, apple juice or rum. Drain them well before adding.
- •
For more aroma, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or a little finely grated lemon zest to the batter. Both work well with apple and cinnamon.
- •
For a nutty version, replace 30 to 50 g of the flour with ground almonds or hazelnuts. The cake becomes slightly moister and more aromatic.
- •
For a vegan version, the structure needs adjustment: replace the eggs with apple purée or flax eggs and the cream with plant-based cream. The cake will be a little denser but still moist.
- •
For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free cake flour blend with a binder. Rice flour alone often makes the cake crumbly.
- •
Let the cake cool completely before slicing. When warm, the crumb is softer and can break more easily.
📦 Storage
Store the fully cooled cinnamon apple cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Because it contains apple pieces, do not keep it in a very warm place. In the fridge it will last 3 to 4 days, although the crumb becomes a little firmer; let it come to room temperature before serving. To freeze, cut the cake into slices, wrap them well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and refresh briefly in a low oven if needed.
🍷 Pairing
- •
Coffee, black tea, chai or a mild fruit tea pair well with cinnamon apple cake because they echo or balance the warm spice.
- •
A fruity Mosel Riesling adds acidity and freshness that balance the sweetness of the raisins and the cream in the batter.
- •
A light Baden Pinot Noir works if the cake is served as dessert and the apple flavour should remain central.
- •
For a non-alcoholic pairing, serve apple spritzer, warm apple juice with cinnamon or vanilla tea.
- •
Good accompaniments include lightly whipped cream, vanilla sauce, Greek yoghurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
❓ F.A.Q.
What apples are best for cinnamon apple cake?
Firm, slightly tart apples such as Boskoop, Elstar, Braeburn or Cox work best. They add freshness, keep some structure during baking and balance the sweetness of the sugar and raisins.
Do I need to soak raisins before adding them to apple cake?
No, soaking is not essential. If the raisins are very dry, soak them for 10 minutes in warm water, apple juice or rum, then drain them well so the cake does not become too wet.
How do I keep cinnamon apple cake moist?
Double cream in the batter, enough apple pieces and the right baking time keep the cake moist. Bake only until a skewer shows no raw batter, then store the cake airtight.
Can I make cinnamon apple cake without raisins?
Yes. Leave the raisins out or replace them with walnuts, almonds, cranberries or extra apple pieces. The cake will still work, but the sweetness and texture will change.
Can I make this cinnamon apple cake vegan or gluten-free?
Yes, but the texture changes. For a vegan version, use apple purée or flax eggs and plant-based cream. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free cake flour blend with a binder rather than a single gluten-free flour.
Can I freeze cinnamon apple cake?
Yes. Slice the cake, wrap the pieces airtight and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and refresh briefly in a low oven if you want a softer texture.
🏛️ History and Tradition
Cinnamon apple cake has roots in traditional German baking, where apples and warming spices are central to autumn desserts. Historically, German households in regions like Bavaria and the Rhineland celebrated harvest season with fruit cakes that combined local apples and spices such as cinnamon, introduced through historic trade routes. This cake embodies the cultural practice of using seasonal produce and spices to create comforting, homely treats enjoyed during family gatherings and festive occasions, reinforcing its place in Germany’s rich culinary heritage.
- •
Cinnamon apple cake with raisins is an easy autumn and winter cake built on good apples, warm cinnamon and an airy sponge-style batter.
- •
When you whisk the eggs well, fold the flour gently and choose firm, slightly tart apples, the cake stays light, moist and aromatic.
- •
It is a reliable bake for teatime, family visits, dessert or cosy afternoons.
Rate this recipe
Click or tap the stars to rate
Explore these guides
-
30 Apple Cake Recipes: Classic, Easy & Moist Apple Cakes for Every OccasionDiscover the best apple cake recipes, from classic favorites to quick and moist cakes perfect for any occasion.