Apple cake is something I find myself making every fall.
It’s the perfect way to use up those freshly picked apples, and honestly, who can resist a warm, spiced slice of cake?
This recipe is special because it’s incredibly moist, flavorful, and has just the right balance of sweetness and spice. It’s a classic for a reason!
Recipe Overview: Apple Cake
This is a simple, rustic apple dessert that’s all about showcasing the natural flavor of the fruit.
It’s got a tender crumb, thanks to the oil and applesauce in the batter, and a lovely warmth from the cinnamon and nutmeg.
I love serving this for brunch, as an afternoon snack, or even as a simple dessert after dinner.
It’s also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top, if you’re feeling fancy!
It is truly a treat that feels both comforting and special.
And because it is so versatile, you can serve it at any event!
Detailed Ingredients for Apple Cake Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious cake:
- All-purpose flour: 3 cups. This provides the structure for our cake. You can use a gluten-free blend if needed, but the texture might change slightly.
- Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups. This adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Brown sugar: ½ cup, packed. This gives the cake a deeper, richer flavor and adds moisture.
- Baking soda: 1 teaspoon. This helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy. Make sure your baking soda is fresh for the best results.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon. Salt enhances the other flavors in the cake. Don’t skip it!
- Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons. A classic pairing with apples!
- Ground nutmeg: ½ teaspoon. This adds a warm, nutty flavor. You can also use allspice or a pinch of cloves.
- Vegetable oil: 1 cup. This makes the cake incredibly moist. You can also use canola oil or any other neutral-flavored oil.
- Applesauce: ½ cup, unsweetened. This adds moisture and a subtle apple flavor. If you only have sweetened applesauce, you might want to reduce the sugar slightly.
- Eggs: 4 large. These bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon. This enhances all the other flavors.
- Apples: 3 cups, peeled, cored, and chopped. I like to use a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. But feel free to use your favorite baking apples.
- Optional Topping: You can sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar on top before baking, or make a simple glaze with powdered sugar and milk to drizzle over the cooled cake.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Apple Cake
Let’s get baking! Here’s how to make this apple dessert:
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This will prevent the cake from sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure everything is well combined so there are no lumps.
- Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until just combined. Don’t overmix – a few lumps are okay!
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the chopped apples. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or even cold.
Variations & Tips for the Best Apple Cake
- Add Nuts: Fold in a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans with the apples for added crunch and flavor.
- Spice it Up: Experiment with different spices, like ginger, cardamom, or allspice.
- Make it Ahead: You can bake this cake a day or two in advance. Store it tightly wrapped at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Reheating: To reheat individual slices, microwave for 20-30 seconds, or warm in a low oven until heated through.
- Frosting: If desire, prepare a simple frosting. Powdered sugar and milk are the main ingredients.
Key Details
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 45-55 minutes
- Total time: 65-75 minutes
- Servings: 12-16 servings
- Equipment you’ll need: 9×13 inch baking pan, large mixing bowls, whisk, mixing spoon.
Apple Cake
This incredibly moist and flavorful apple cake is perfect for fall, showcasing the natural flavor of apples with a tender crumb and warm spices. Ideal for brunch, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups peeled cored, and chopped apples
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, combine oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Gently fold in chopped apples.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.