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Mary Berry Apple and Cinnamon Cake – Soft, Spiced, and Comforting

Mary Berry Apple and Cinnamon Cake is a classic British sponge cake made with fresh apples and ground cinnamon folded through a light batter. Unlike heavier apple cakes, this version stays soft and balanced, with apples adding moisture and cinnamon providing gentle warmth rather than strong spice.

Ingredients

  • Cooking apples – 3 medium (about 400 g), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

  • Unsalted butter – 175 g, softened

  • Caster sugar – 175 g

  • Eggs – 3 large

  • Self-raising flour – 225 g

  • Ground cinnamon – 2 teaspoons

  • Milk – 2 tablespoons

  • Demerara sugar – 2 tablespoons (for topping, optional)

Instructions

  • Prepare the oven and tin – Preheat to 180°C (160°C fan), grease and line the tin.

  • Cream butter and sugar – Beat until pale and fluffy to create a light base.

  • Add the eggs – Beat in one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

  • Fold in dry ingredients – Gently mix in flour and cinnamon to keep the batter airy.

  • Add milk and apples – Stir in milk, then fold through the apple slices evenly.

  • Transfer to tin – Spoon the batter into the tin and level the surface.

  • Finish the top – Sprinkle with demerara sugar if using.

  • Bake until set – Cook for 45–50 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean.