The Best Apple Cake Recipe
The Best Apple Cake Recipe is a moist, flavorful, and easy-to-make dessert combining tender chunks of fresh apples with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices in a buttery crumb. Perfect for cozy gatherings, it’s versatile, uses simple ingredients, and can be easily customized for any occasion.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be gluten-free if using gluten-free flour blend
Main Ingredients
- 2 to 3 fresh apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- Streusel topping: cinnamon-sugar crumble (cinnamon, sugar, butter)
- Step 1: Prepare Your Apples – Peel, core, and dice your apples into bite-sized chunks, ensuring they are evenly sized to cook uniformly inside the cake.
- Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to create a fragrant spice base.
- Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients – In a separate bowl, beat eggs and both sugars until light and fluffy. Slowly add vegetable oil and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Incorporate Ingredients – Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently to avoid overworking the batter, which can cause a dense cake.
- Step 5: Fold in Apples and Optional Nuts – Carefully fold the diced apples and nuts or dried fruits (if using) into the batter, distributing evenly without smashing the pieces.
- Step 6: Bake Until Golden – Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Cool and Enjoy – Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp apples for best texture and flavor.
- Gently fold ingredients to avoid a tough crumb.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
- Balance cinnamon with nutmeg and a pinch of cloves for enhanced warm flavors.
- The cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
- To make it vegan, substitute eggs with flax eggs or applesauce and use oil instead of butter.
- If using frozen apples, thaw and drain them to reduce extra moisture; adjust baking time accordingly.
- Leftovers can be stored wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Freeze wrapped portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before use.
- Warm slices briefly before serving to refresh softness and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: apple cake, moist apple cake, easy apple dessert, cinnamon apple cake, fall dessert, homemade apple cake, spiced apple cake