Apple Cake

4.8
(281)

This apple cake is very easy to make using diced apples, applesauce, and basic pantry ingredients to make a delicious fall treat. The cake tastes delicious, stores well, and is so moist it doesn't need frosting.

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a low angle view of a slice of apple cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
1 (9x13-inch) cake

This cozy apple cake is not only easy to throw together, it’ll make your whole house smell like fall. 

Apple Cake Ingredients

These are the simple, kitchen staple ingredients you’ll need to make easy apple cake: 

  • Butter and Applesauce: This moist apple cake recipe uses a blend of butter and applesauce.  
  • Eggs: Three eggs lend moisture and help bind the batter together. 
  • Sugar: One cup of brown sugar add sweetness. 
  • Flour: All-purpose flour gives the apple cake structure. 
  • Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon perfectly balances the sweetness. 
  • Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, which means it helps the cake rise.
  • Vanilla: Vanilla extract gives the apple cake an extra depth of flavor. 
  • Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor, but won’t make the cake taste salty.
  • Apples: You’ll need three cups of diced apples. 

Best Apples for Apple Cake

The best apples for apple cake depend on your flavor preferences, but it’s best to use more than one variety for the most delicious results. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Gala apples are all perfect for making homemade apple cake. 

Cook’s Note

I like to leave the peels on the apples for this cake but you can peel them if you prefer.

How to Make Apple Cake

Mix up the batter, pour it into a prepared baking dish, and bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean. That’s all there is to it! Find the full, step-by-step apple cake recipe below for detailed instructions.

Should You Frost Apple Cake? 

We think this unfrosted apple cake is delicious as-is, but you can dress it up if you like. Consider sprinkling it with powdered sugar, drizzling it with glaze, or adding a homemade frosting (this Brown Sugar-Maple Frosting would work well). 

How to Store Apple Cake

Store the covered apple cake at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to five days. 

Can You Freeze Apple Cake? 

Yes! Apple cake freezes well. Simply wrap the cooled cake in a layer of storage wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“Delicious,” raves Aqua0315. “I added an apple glaze on top for an extra bit of sweetness. Mix 1 cup of confectioners sugar with 3 tablespoons of apple cider and brush onto the cake once it’s cooled.”

“We loved this cake,” says Corinne Murphy. “Changed nothing and it was perfect. Makes the house smell like a fine bakery, too!”

“This may not be the prettiest cake you’ve ever made, but it’ll rank right up there with one of the tastiest," says lutzflcat. "Each serving is packed with sweet apples in every bite! This one’s simple to make and a keeper!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 3 cups diced apple (about 2 medium apples)

Directions

  1. Gather ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.

    all ingredients to make an apple cake gathered in glass bowls on a kitchen counter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Beat butter, applesauce, and eggs together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until foamy.

    applesauce, butter, and eggs beat until foamy with an electric mixer.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Add flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; mix until well combined. Stir in apples.

    apples folded into cake batter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

    apple cake batter poured into prepared baking pan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

    apple cake baked until golden-brown and toothpick, inserted into the center of the cake, comes out clean.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Enjoy!

    apple cake topped with ice cream and caramel sauce

From the Editor

This recipe was tested in our test kitchen and updated to replace 1 cup vegetable oil with 1/2 cup melted butter and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce.

375 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

243 Calories
9g Fat
37g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 243
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 335mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 54mg 4%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 105mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.