Apple Cake is a comforting, moist dessert filled with chunks of sweet, juicy apples and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The cake’s tender crumb and lightly crisped edges make every bite irresistible. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat or a special family gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cake Recipe
What makes apple cake so special? The combination of soft cake layers infused with bits of tender apple and the gentle spice of cinnamon creates a dessert that is as comforting as it is delicious. Whether you choose to make a traditional version or give it your own twist, apple cake offers endless possibilities.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Apple Cake
- Use the right apples: For a balanced flavor, opt for apples that are firm and slightly tart, like Granny Smith or Braeburn. These apples will hold their shape during baking and prevent the cake from becoming too mushy.
- Add moisture with applesauce: If you prefer a moist cake, you can substitute some of the butter with applesauce. This will make the cake slightly lighter while enhancing the apple flavor.
- Don’t over-mix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix gently. Over-mixing the batter can lead to a dense cake.
- Try different spices: Feel free to experiment with additional spices such as nutmeg, cardamom, or cloves for a more complex flavor.
- Make it a bundt cake: For a visually stunning presentation, you can bake this recipe in a bundt pan. Just make sure to grease it well and check the cake a little earlier, as bundt cakes tend to cook faster.
Variations You Can Try
Apple cake is a versatile dessert that can be customized to suit your preferences. Here are a few ideas:
- Vegan Apple Cake: Swap out the eggs and butter for plant-based alternatives like flax eggs and coconut oil. Use almond milk or any plant-based milk for added flavor.
- Gluten-Free Apple Cake: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that the flour blend has xanthan gum or another binder to maintain the cake’s texture.
- Caramel Apple Cake: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cooled cake for a decadent twist. You can even mix caramelized apple chunks into the batter for extra sweetness.
- Spiced Apple Cake: Add a teaspoon of ground nutmeg or allspice to the dry ingredients for a deeper spice profile.
How to Serve Apple Cake
Apple cake is wonderfully versatile when it comes to serving. Here are a few ideas:
- As a snack: Slice and enjoy as a quick snack with a cup of coffee or tea.
- With cream or ice cream: For a more indulgent treat, top the apple cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- With a drizzle of caramel: A warm drizzle of caramel sauce over a slice of apple cake takes it to the next level.
- For breakfast: Apple cake is a perfect addition to your morning spread. Serve with a side of fresh fruit for a balanced start to your day.
How to Store Apple Cake
Apple cake can be stored easily, but there are a few tips to keep it fresh for longer:
- Room temperature: If you plan to eat the cake within a couple of days, store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Refrigeration: For longer shelf life, store the cake in the fridge. Wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in a sealed container to prevent it from drying out. It should last about 4-5 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: To keep the cake for up to 3 months, slice it into individual pieces and freeze them in an airtight bag. To reheat, just thaw in the fridge overnight or microwave for a few seconds.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use any type of apple for this cake?
You can use any variety of apple you prefer, but tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for baking as they hold their shape and add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the cake.
Can I make this apple cake ahead of time?
Yes, apple cake keeps well for a few days, so you can make it ahead of time. It even tastes better the next day when the flavors have had time to meld together.
What’s the difference between apple cake and apple bread?
Apple cake is typically lighter, with a crumb more similar to traditional cakes, while apple bread is denser and often has a more rustic texture. Apple bread usually contains more flour and less sugar than a cake.
How do I make this cake even more apple-flavored?
For a stronger apple flavor, you can increase the amount of apples in the recipe or even use a mix of both applesauce and chopped apples for more texture.
Apple Cake
Apple Cake is a comforting, moist dessert filled with chunks of sweet, juicy apples and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp each ginger & allspice
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 cup applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 3 cups chopped apples (about 2–3 large)
For the Brown Sugar Glaze (Optional):
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9x13-inch pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk oil, sugars, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, and orange juice.
- Mix & Fold: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, whisk until combined. Fold in the chopped apples—don’t worry if it seems like a lot of apples; that’s perfect!
- Bake: Pour batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Around 30 minutes, cover with foil to prevent over-browning. The cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool for 30 minutes before serving or topping.
For the Glaze (Optional):
- Combine butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until butter melts, then stop stirring and let it come to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then reduce heat and simmer for another minute.
- Remove from heat, whisk in powdered sugar, and let the glaze cool and thicken for about 20 minutes.
Spoon the glaze over the cake right before serving (the cake can still be warm).
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 550Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 19gCholesterol 83mgSodium 303mgCarbohydrates 73gFiber 2gSugar 50gProtein 5g
TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
This apple cake recipe is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s also a perfect way to celebrate the seasonal bounty of apples. With its versatile ingredients and easy steps, this cake can become your go-to dessert for all occasions. So why wait? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake the most delicious apple cake you’ve ever tasted!
Try other cake recipes: