Escape the Apple Overload: A Delicious Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cake
Are you drowning in apples? Tired of the same old Instant Pot recipes? Then prepare yourself for a delightful escape with this moist and tender Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cake! This recipe is the perfect solution for using up those extra apples while indulging in a warm, cinnamon-spiced treat. Forget the complicated baking – let your Instant Pot do the heavy lifting!
The Magic of Pan-Inside-Pot Baking
This recipe utilizes the “pan-inside-pot” method, a clever technique that yields perfectly baked goods in your Instant Pot. Here’s what you need to know:
Understanding the Setup
The Instant Pot’s inner pot serves only as a water reservoir; your cake won’t be directly in contact with the water. We’ll use a smaller, 7-inch metal cake pan (stainless steel or aluminum are ideal – avoid ceramic!). A sealed pan, rather than a springform or removable-bottom pan, is crucial to prevent steam leakage and a soggy cake.
Foil is Your Friend (Seriously!)
Securely wrap the cake pan in aluminum foil – think double-wrapping for extra protection! This crucial step prevents condensation from ruining your cake. An extra layer of plastic wrap under the foil adds an extra barrier of defense against moisture intrusion.
Assembling Your Instant Pot “Oven”
Place the foil-wrapped pan onto the Instant Pot’s trivet. Don’t worry if the batter seems thick; that’s how it should be! It will rise beautifully during the pressure cooking process.
Choosing the Right Cake Pan
The size of your Instant Pot dictates your cake pan choice. This recipe works perfectly in both 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pots. Here are your options:
- 7-inch round cake pan: A classic choice, easily available.
- 7-inch springform pan: While possible, the clips can make fitting it into the Instant Pot more challenging.
- 7-inch removable-bottom cake pan: A great option for easy removal – no side clips to snag.
Important Note: An 8-inch pan might fit in an 8-quart Instant Pot, but an 8-inch springform pan is generally too large.
Why Metal Matters (and Ceramic Doesn’t!)
Metal pans (aluminum or stainless steel) are essential for even cooking. Ceramic’s lower heat conductivity can lead to an undercooked cake, even after extended cooking time. One reader shared a cautionary tale of their ceramic-pan attempt requiring a significant increase in cooking time to achieve a fully baked cake.
Avoiding Culinary Cross-Contamination: Separate Rings!
A surprising discovery! I once accidentally used the same Instant Pot ring for both savory and sweet dishes. The result? My apple cake smelled suspiciously like beef stew! To prevent this aromatic disaster, I now use separate rings, one designated for desserts, and the other for savory dishes. I recommend using BPA-free, dishwasher-safe rings for easy cleaning.
Baking the Perfect Instant Pot Apple Cake
Now for the fun part!
Preparing the Apples & Batter
Toss diced apples with cinnamon and sugar. The batter, once combined, will be thick – that’s perfectly normal.
Layering for Success
Layer half the batter in the prepared pan, top with half the apples, add the remaining batter, and finally, the rest of the apples and any juices.
Pressure Cooking Perfection
Wrap the pan tightly in foil. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot’s inner pot, place the trivet with the wrapped pan inside, and set your Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 60 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally before opening.
Serving and Enjoying Your Masterpiece
Serve your warm Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or let it cool and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Recipe & Nutrition
(Recipe and nutrition information is omitted here to keep this blog post under the character limit. The original article’s recipe and nutrition information can be easily added here.)
Reader Photos
(Space for reader-submitted photos of their successful Instant Pot Apple Cakes)
More Instant Pot Adventures
Looking for more delicious Instant Pot recipes? Try these:
- Instant Pot Country Style Ribs in BBQ Sauce
- Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Spatchcock Chicken with Mustard Crust
- Instant Pot Irish Beef and Guinness Stew
Enjoy baking – the easy way! Remember to follow me on Facebook for more delicious recipe ideas!
