Delicious Apple Cake
This Apple Cake is super moist, really easy to make, and has just the right amount of spice. I was searching for a fast dessert and then remembered this recipe from my childhood. In no time, my batter was in the oven!
If you love this recipe, I’m sure you’ll also enjoy my Apple Cake – packed with more apples than dough, my flourless yogurt cake, or my lemon cake made with just one egg, which happens to be a favourite among readers.
Continuing with fruity cakes, check out this Morello Cherry Sponge Cake or the best Raspberry and Coconut Cake recipe. Looking for more crumble ideas? Try my Plum Crumble Recipe—it’s simple, delicious, and easy to make. For celebration-worthy cakes, don’t miss the Classic Italian Tiramisu Cake or my guide on How to Make Lemon Drizzle Cake with Cheese Frosting.
Let’s talk Apple Cake
With my two awesome daughters, we baked up this amazing recipe. We’ve made it several times, and every time, it vanishes in just a few minutes!
When I was a kid, my grandma used to make this recipe for us. She even showed us how to bake it. We’d pluck apples from our orchard, and they made the dessert so delicious! It’s honestly one of my all-time favourites, mainly because it’s super easy to make. I’d always wonder how something so yummy could be so simple.
Whenever I bake this Apple Cake, it takes me back to those sweet memories. I hope it brings you as much happiness as it does for me.
Why this recipe works
This Fantastic Apple Cake is so yummy and easy to make. Your whole family will love it! We use everyday ingredients you can get at any store, making it a kid-friendly recipe.
Substitutions
If you’re looking to make a mouthwatering apple cake, but need some ingredient swaps, we’ve got you covered. Here are the key substitutions you can try:
- Eggs: If you’re out of eggs, you can try using egg substitutes like applesauce or yoghurt.
- Sugar: Feel free to adjust the sugar quantity to your taste. You can use brown sugar for a richer flavour.
- Sunflower oil: You can swap this with other vegetable oils like canola or even melted butter.
- Vanilla extract: Don’t worry if you’re out of the vanilla extract. You can use vanilla essence or even almond extract for a different flavour.
- Milk: You can use different types of milk, such as almond milk or soy milk, depending on your preference.
- Flour: If you have dietary restrictions, consider using gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
- Baking powder: No baking powder? Try a combination of baking soda and vinegar for leavening.
- Apple Filling: If you don’t have fresh apples, you can use apple jam or preserves as a substitute. Adjust the sugar to your liking and add a pinch of cinnamon for flavour.
Variations
When it comes to apple cake, there are plenty of ways to get creative and make your dessert extra special. Let’s dive into some fantastic recipe variations that will leave your taste buds dancing!
- Caramel Cake: Add a gooey layer of caramel for that sweet, indulgent twist.
- Spiced Cake: Boost the flavour with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Nutty Cake: Throw in some chopped nuts for a delightful crunch.
- Gluten-Free Cake: Make it accessible for all with a gluten-free version.
- Vegan Cake: Go plant-based with egg and dairy alternatives.
- Upside-Down Cake: Flip things around and have the apples on top!
- These recipe variations are sure to make your dessert table a hit. So, which one will you try first?
Step-by-step Instructions
Prep your ingredients ahead of time—measure dry ingredients, slice apples, and ensure eggs, milk, and flour are at room temperature. Having everything ready makes baking smoother and ensures a perfect cake!
- Making the batter – Mix eggs and sugar until fluffy. Add oil and vanilla extract; mix well. Whisk flour and baking powder. Mix into the batter with milk until smooth. The dough should be runny but thicker than the pancake batter.
- Baking half of the mixture: Cook apples with sugar and cinnamon until reduced, then cool. Grease and flour in a pan. Bake half of the batter for 10-12 minutes at 180°C. Spread apple filling over the baked batter.
- Adding the remaining batter – Add the remaining batter over the apple layer and bake for 30 minutes until golden.
- Serve – Dust with powdered sugar and slice when completely cool.
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Leftovers and storage
- Cool It Down: Let your apple cake cool to room temperature before storing it.
- Wrap It Well: Use plastic wrap or aluminium foil to tightly cover the cake. This keeps it moist and fresh.
- Fridge or Room Temp: You can store your apple cake in the fridge for up to 2 days, but if you plan to finish it sooner, room temperature is fine.
- Air-Tight Container: If you prefer, pop it in an airtight container to maintain its deliciousness.
- Avoid Odors: Keep it away from strong-smelling foods in the fridge to prevent any flavour transfer.
Recipe FAQs
You might also like
- Apple Cake – more apples than dough
- Apple Crumble Bars – more apples than crumble
- Plum Crumble Recipe
- Raspberry and Coconut Cake Recipe
- Morello Cherry Sponge Cake
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Apple Cake of my Childhood
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Rectangle Cake Pan ( I used a 37x25cm pan) Using a smaller pan will make the cake taller.
- Apple corer and/or peeler (optional)
- Knife
- Cutting board
- These are the basic utensils that would be required to make an apple cake. However, depending on the recipe and your personal preference, you may also need other utensils such as a grater or food processor to shred the apples or a pastry brush to brush the cake with glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 8 tbsp sugar
- 11 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 11 tbsp milk
- 11 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
For the filling
- 1 kg apples or 250g apple jam (1 jar)
- 4 tbsp sugar to taste
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Powdered sugar to serve
Instructions
- Mix the eggs and sugar until they are light and fluffy. Add in the oil and vanilla extract and mix well.2 eggs, 8 tbsp sugar, 11 tbsp sunflower oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Whisk the flour with the baking powder, then incorporate it into the batter until smooth, alternating with the milk.11 tbsp flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 11 tbsp milk
- The dough should be runny when taken with a spoon, but be thicker than pancake dough.
- First, give the apples a good wash. After that, peel off the skin and remove the core. Use a grater with big holes, like the wide side of a box grater, to grate them. Squeeze out any extra juice and then cook them in a shallow pan with some sugar and cinnamon until they get all thick and yummy. If you prefer, you can also cut the apples into small cubes or thin slices. Once they're cooked, let them cool down a bit.1 kg apples, 4 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon
- Grease the pan with butter and sprinkle with flour. Pour half of the dough and bake for 10-12 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C.
- When it’s ready, remove the pan from the oven and spread the fresh apple filling or apple jam evenly over the baked batter.
- Add the remaining batter over the apples and bake for another 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Lastly, when it is baked dust with powdered sugar and slice it when completely cool.Powdered sugar
- Enjoy!
Apple cake is delicious, my family enjoyed it, I am going to make it again.
I love all kinds of apple cake and desserts! This is one of my favourites because it’s so easy to make and so tasty!
This apple cake is so delicious and perfect for Fall! My family loved it!
These apple cakes reminded me of the ones my Granny used to make! So wonderful! Thank you!
I had a bunch of fresh apples, so this recipe was perfect. I loved how moist and flavorful the cake turned out.
This was the dessert of my childhood! So easy to make, but so delicious 🤤