Cakes

May 13, 2025

Apple Cake Recipe

This easy apple cake is soft, moist, and packed with fresh diced apples in every bite. Made with basic pantry ingredients, it’s the perfect fall dessert or cozy anytime treat. No mixer needed - just peel, dice, and stir. It tastes even better the next day!

Apple Cake Recipe

Moist, spice-filled, and simple to make - this apple cake is a dessert that’s sure to please

Prep:
30
min
cook:
60
min
total:
90
min
Author:

Anne Voss

Ingredients

Cake

  • 4 cups of diced apples (3-4 apples depending on the size, 480g)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (2.3 ounces or ~66g)
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted (76g)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour (300g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (115g)
  • 2-3 tablespoons of milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
Instructions
  1. Prepare the pan: Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Dice the apples: Peel, core, and dice apples into small pieces. Set aside.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, melted butter, vanilla, and eggs until well combined.
  4. Add apples: Stir the diced apples into the wet mixture.
  5. Add dry ingredients: Sift the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg directly into the bowl. Mix until just combined. The batter will be thick.
  6. Bake: Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake at 325°F for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan at room temperature.
  8. Glaze and serve: Mix together glaze ingredients to the desired consistency and drizzle over cake. You can also serve it plain, or top it with frosting (see variations below).

Makes one 9 x 13" cake, approximately 16 servings

This website contains affiliate links to Amazon. This means that I may make a small commission if you purchase a product using these links. This is no way affects my opinion of these products. Links are provided to share products I have used when making this recipe.

Recipe Notes

Below you will find tips and tricks to help achieve the best results possible!

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a piece of apple cake in the foreground with glaze dripping down. Whole apples and cake pan in the background

What Does Apple Cake Taste Like?

This easy apple cake recipe is full of fresh apples that bake down into a sweet, moist, spice cake. The texture is soft and tender, with little bites of apple in every slice. Warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg give it a cozy, fall-inspired flavor. It is similar to an old-fashioned spice cake but with the added sweetness and texture of baked apples.

It’s not overly sweet, which makes it perfect for pairing with a glaze, cream cheese frosting, or just a dusting of powdered sugar. Think of it as a cross between a spice cake and a coffee cake with a rustic, homemade feel.

What I Love About This Apple Cake Recipe?

What I love about this apple cake is how easy and versatile it is. The recipe is very forgiving as you can adjust the spices to your taste, use whatever apples you have on hand, and top the cake however you like. It’s just as delicious served plain as it is with a glaze or cream cheese frosting. I also like that this cake does not require a mixer. This simple apple cake recipe lets you get that homemade, comforting flavor without the hassle.

While this cake makes a cozy dessert for a fall evening, we also love it as a not-too-sweet breakfast cake with a hot cup of coffee. In fact, the flavor gets even better the next day as the spices settle and the apples keep it moist. Just cover the pan tightly and store it at room temperature or in the fridge if you prefer your cake cold.

step by step photos showing how to make fresh apple cake

Ingredients

Apples – You can use any type of apple you like for this cake. I prefer sweeter varieties, but mixing in a tart apple or two works well too. For this batch, I used Honeycrisp apples, which are sweet with a little tang—plus they were on sale at my store! The key is to choose apples with a firm texture so they don’t bake down too soft or mushy in the cake.

Nuts or Raisins – These are totally optional, but they add great texture and flavor. Stir in up to 2 cups of chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) and/or raisins when you add the apples to the batter.

Supplies Needed

9 x 13-inch baking pan (the one I use is glass)

Large mixing bowl

A whisk and a large spoon for mixing

Sifter or sieve

Tips and Tricks

Use firm apples: Choose apples with a firm texture (like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji) to prevent them from turning mushy while baking.

Chop apples evenly: Dice the apples into uniform pieces for even distribution throughout the cake. Smaller pieces work better as they bake down into the batter.

Don’t overmix: When adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in a dense cake.

Doneness test: Keep in mind that toothpicks can sometimes come out clean due to the moisture from the apples. If you’re unsure, gently press on the top of the cake and if it springs back, it is probably done.

Let the cake cool completely: For the best flavor and texture, let the cake cool in the pan at room temperature before slicing. This also makes it easier to frost or glaze, if you choose to.

Customize the spices: Feel free to increase or decrease the spices based on your personal preference. Add extra cinnamon for a more intense flavor or try a pinch of ginger for a subtle twist.

Variations

There are plenty of ways to customize this cinnamon apple cake recipe to suit your taste!

Add a nut topping: If you prefer not to add nuts or raisins to the batter, try this nut topping instead. Pour the batter into the pan, then sprinkle the following mixture over the top before baking:

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans)
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Frosting option: For a richer finish, top the cake with cream cheese frosting instead of a glaze. Beat together the following ingredients and spread on the cooled cake:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4 ounces of cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Make it a loaf cake: To make a loaf cake version, simply cut the recipe in half and bake in a loaf pan. Adjust the baking time to about 45-48 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

overhead view of apple cake in baking dish. One corner piece of cake is missing from the pan

Can I Freeze Apple Cake?

Yes! You can freeze this apple cake for later enjoyment. It’s best to freeze the cake before frosting or glazing to maintain the best texture. To freeze, cut the cake into individual sections, then wrap each piece tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you're ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or heat in the microwave for a warm slice.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you love this apple cake, you might also enjoy my Pistachio Bread recipe

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