A delightful and easy-to-make apple cake with a cinnamon caramel topping.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Ensure the oven is fully preheated for even baking.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon.
Sift the dry ingredients together to remove any lumps.
Add the milk and egg to the dry mixture and whisk until smooth.
Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
Pour the batter into a greased 9x9 inch baking pan.
Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly.
Peel, core, and slice the apples, then arrange them on top of the batter.
Slice the apples thinly for even baking.
Sprinkle the brown sugar and additional cinnamon over the apples.
Distribute the sugar evenly for a consistent caramelized topping.
Pour the boiling water gently over the entire mixture.
Pour slowly to avoid disturbing the topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Check the cake at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving.
Serve warm for the best flavor.