Apple Cake

You’ll absolutely love this warm, tender Apple Cake! This sweet cake is full of fresh apples and your favorite fall flavors, then topped with a cinnamon brown sugar topping. Finish it off with some fresh whipped cream or dust it with powdered sugar for an extra treat!

This cake is the perfect dessert or breakfast treat. It’s so easy to make and I love it served warm, fresh out of the oven! The cinnamon sugar topping provides just the right amount of crunch to contrast with the tender crumb of the cake. You’re going to want to make this cake right away!

Which Apples are Best to Bake With?

Choose an apple that holds its shape when cooked. Whether you use tart apples or sweet apples is a matter of preference. The color and flavor of the apples don’t matter as much. In fact, you can use a variety of apples to bump up the flavor! Betty Crocker lists these baking apples as the best apples for baking:

Braeburn

Honey Gold

Jonathan

Cortland

Fuji

Gala

Granny Smith

Haralson

Newtown Pippin

I’m also partial to Honeycrisp and Jazz apples for baking, and would choose Fuji, Gala apples, or Honeycrisp apples for this cake.

Choose an apple that is in season and look for ones that are fresh and ripe for the best flavor.

Equipment Needed

Besides the usual baking ingredients (bowls, measuring cups and spoons, whisk), you’ll need a springform pan to bake this cake. Don’t have one? You can try using any baking pan the same size, greased generously or lined with parchment paper. A bundt pan would work well!

Ingredients for Apple Cake

Most of the ingredients needed for this easy cinnamon apple cake recipe are pantry staples, so gather together your ingredients before you start. Here’s what you need:

Vegetable oil

Large eggs

Pure vanilla extract

Granulated white sugar

All-purpose flour

Ground cinnamon

Nutmeg

Baking powder

Baking soda

Salt

Apples

Lemon juice- to keep apples from browning

Cinnamon Topping Ingredients

Brown sugar

Cinnamon

Heavy Cream

Powdered sugar or whipped topping (optional)

You can find the detailed amounts for each ingredient in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!

How to make the Best Apple Cake Recipe

This is a delicious spice cake with apples, so if you’ve ever made cake batter from scratch, then you already have an idea of what to do!

First, preheat your oven to 350℉ and grease your springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Dice the apples with a sharp knife and place them in a large bowl with ½ cup of granulated sugar and all of the lemon juice. Stir and set aside. 

In a separate bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla. Then whisk in the rest of the granulated sugar. 

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients for the cake and stir well.

Next, fold the apples into the cake batter with a rubber spatula, then pour the batter into your prepared pan. 

In a small bowl, stir together all of the cinnamon topping ingredients and then pour it over the top of the cake batter. Use the back of a spoon to spread the mixture evenly over the top of the cake as much as you can. 

Bake for about 35 minutes in the preheated oven or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when poked in the center of the cake. It should be a nice light golden brown.

Let the cake cool slightly on a wire rack before cutting and enjoying it! If desired, dust the warm cake with powdered sugar or top it with fresh whipped cream.

FAQs

How many apples do I need to make this cake?

This cake recipe requires 2 cups of apples, which is around 2-3 apples, depending on the size of the apple.

How can I tell if the cake is baked all the way through?

You will know it’s done baking when you check it with a toothpick and it comes out dry, or with a few moist crumbs, when stuck down in the middle of the cake. 

How do I keep the cake from sticking to the pan?

Be sure that the pan is greased well before adding the batter to help prevent sticking. You can either butter and flour your pan or spray it generously with nonstick cooking spray. Also, be sure to let the cake cool a bit before removing the side of the springform pan.

How do I store leftover Apple Cake?

Store leftovers in an airtight container, or covered in the springform pan, at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. If you have a cake keeper, those work really well to keep the cake fresh!

Will this cake dry out?

This cake will stay moist for up to 3-5 days at room temperature, as long as it is kept in an airtight container. If it is left uncovered for too long then it may dry out. 

More Ways to Bake With Apples

Sure, a cake with apples is amazingly delicious, but there are so many ways to bake with apples! Here are some of my favorite apple recipes:

Of course, a classic apple pie is always a hit, and this Apple Cream Pie is the easiest and most delicious apple pie recipe you’ll ever make. It’s definitely my all-time favorite!

Apple Crisp is another classic apple dessert. This easy Apple Crisp with oatmeal topping is a real game-changer. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and some simple ingredients, you’ll have this ready in no time!

These Apple Streusel Muffins belong on your breakfast table all year long. Made with chopped apples, nutmeg, cinnamon and your favorite brand of milk, and covered in a sugary oat topping, they make a delicious afternoon treat with a cup of coffee. 

This Apple Crumble Danish recipe will fool everyone into thinking you’ve spent hours in the kitchen when really it’s hardly any work at all! Made with flaky puff pastry, a spiced apple filling, and a delightful crumb topping, these Danishes are the perfect sweet breakfast or dessert you can enjoy anytime!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are basically two desserts in one! You have a creamy cheesecake layer topped with cinnamon apples and a streusel topping. Finished with a caramel drizzle, they’re a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table!

This Baked Apple Cinnamon Pancake brings together all your favorite fall flavors in one easy recipe. By baking the batter in the oven, you can create a perfect apple pancake breakfast- no griddle or flapjack flipping required! 

Need More Cake Recipes?

Try one of these delicious cakes next time you need something sweet:

Cherry Pound Cake

Oreo Cake

7Up Cake

Strawberry Poke Cake

Maple Chiffon Cake

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