Fresh Apple Cake is one of my family's very favorite desserts. It comes together really easy, you don't even need a mixer! Sweet apples and warm cinnamon will fill your house with the best of autumn baking!
Fresh Apple Cake ~ Easy Dessert Recipe
Looking for a wonderful fall dessert? There's nothing better than fresh apple cake. My mom gave me this recipe and I think it has been in her family for many, many years. If you are looking for a shortcut apple dessert, apple dump cake is always a favorite.
Just take me to the Fresh Apple Cake Recipe!
The printable recipe card is found at the very bottom of the post, just keep scrolling and you'll find it. Otherwise, read on for tips on making this easy apple cake!
Ingredients Needed:
- apples (Gala, Honey Crisp or Granny Smith will all work)
- sugar
- vegetable oil
- pecans or walnuts
- large eggs
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- ground cinnamon
- kosher salt
- baking soda
- non-stick cooking spray
How to Make Fresh Apple Cake:
- Peel Apples.
- Core and dice apples.
- Mix chopped apples, pecans, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl.
- Add all purpose flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda.
- Mix well using a wooden spoon.
- Pour into a greased 9" x 13" baking dish.
- Bake for one hour.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.
Warm cake can be topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce or served plain at room temperature.
How To Store:
Cover and store at room temperature up to one day or refrigerate for 2-3 days.
CAN YOU FREEZE APPLE CAKE?
My mom says that this cake freezes well, but I have never made it to the freezer with one. To freeze, cool cake completely. Wrap in two layers of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil or place in a zip top freezer bag.
Apple Cake will stay fresh for 12 months and can be thawed and served at room temperature.
Best Apples for Apple Cake:
I have used gala apples and honey crisp apples for this cake. Granny smith apples will also work but will be a bit more tart.
Do You Have to Peel the Apples?
It does take a little time but I recommend peeling the apples for the best texture. I use a vegetable peeler and it is really easy to do.
If you enjoy apple picking, this apple cake is the best dessert to make with fresh apples and can just be stirred together with minimal effort and a few ingredients. The taste is beyond delicious and it's a great option for a bake sale or to share with your neighbors.
More Apple Desserts to Try:
I love apple desserts and this Apple Upside Down Cake with walnuts is an easy from scratch dessert. An easy Apple Fritter Cake is perfect to whip up any night of the week.
My Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Shooters are popular all year long and did you see the video for the Easy Apple Cobbler? It's just like grandma would bake!
If you have an abundance of apples, this easy Apple Crumb Pie is always a hit. You'll have to check out my secret ingredient for the most flavorful apple pie ever!
I'm adding this Slow Cooker Apple Butter to my list this fall and if you need something really simple, this Easy Apple Crisp is a true delight topped with vanilla ice cream!
See all of my favorite Easy Apple Recipes that includes the best apple desserts, breakfasts and drinks for any fall occasion.
If you love spice cakes, this Butter Pecan Spice Cake is always a hit. It's from my husband's grandma and it's something special!
Everyone loves this apple cake and it is wonderful ending to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. This cake is loaded with chunks of sweet apples and rich cinnamon flavor which all together creates a wonderfully moist cake. If you only make one apple dessert this fall, this has to be the one!
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Fresh Apple Cake
Fresh Apple Cake is one of my family's very favorite desserts. It comes together really easy, you don't even need a mixer! Sweet apples and warm cinnamon will fill your house with the best of autumn baking!
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 cups diced apples
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup pecans
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel, core and dice apples.
- Add apples to a large bowl with sugar, vegetable oil, pecans, eggs and vanilla.
- Mix with a wooden spoon until well combined.
- In a separate large bowl, add flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Whisk together.
- Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Spray a 13" x 9" or 10" springform cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour in cake batter and bake for fifty minutes to one hour. A toothpick inserted should come out clean when it's done.
- Garnish with powdered sugar if desired. Great warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Cover and refrigerate leftovers for 2-3 days. Cake can be wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap and foil or placed in a freezer bag and frozen for up to 1 year.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 456Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 294mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 2gSugar: 37gProtein: 4g
Nutritional calculations are estimated and may not be accurate.
Lindsay
Hi Milisa. I made this today and it is really a fast great recipe. I also through in a handful of raisins and cut the sugar back to one cup. When I saw the baking soda, I also added 1/4 cup of malt vinegar. Turned out great and thanks for sharing a great family recipe.
Sharon
What does the malt vinegar do?
Kim
I used to make this exact recipe years ago when my son was young and he loved it. He asked me to make it for Thanksgiving for his family. I couldn't find my recipe and am so happy that I found yours. It is exactly the same. Thank you!
Milisa
Hi Kim,
I am so glad that you came across it. You have made my day, I'm so glad you stopped by to share your story!
~ Milisa
Tina
Thank you for sharing this delicious apple cake. I made some adjustments: I reduced the sugar to 1 C and the oil to ½ C, used 4 apples+3 eggs+ ¾C of milk, 1C GF all-purpose flour, 1C of quinoa flour, added 1 tsp of baking powder. The cake was moist and tender
Ro
What type of apples are best to be used?
Do you peel the apples ?
Milisa
Hi Ro,
It is best to peel the apples. I have used Granny smith or gala apples for this recipe.
~ Milisa
Allison
Peeled apples seem to work best in this recipe, although I have made it with the peels still intact. Definitely take the few moments to peel. You will enjoy the flavor much more.
Robinn
This fresh apple cake was "luscious!" Quick, simple, very easy, I made for company tonite, they loved it!!! 5 ***** recipe as far as I'm concerned!! THANKS!!!! I did add alittle allspice & cloves besides the cinnamon
Milisa
Hi Robinn,
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Love the idea of allspice and cloves.
~ Milisa
Antoinette
Absolutely delicious thank you for this recipe. I added in sultanas & a few other spices including ground cardamom, substituted the sugar for 1/2 cup xylitol & it came out perfectly divine.
Bill Shockley
Excellent. Reminds me of my childhood.
Altered slightly.
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice.
Excellent
Milisa
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your feedback, sounds delicious!
~ Milisa
Jennifer
Are the skins left on the apples? It's never clarified. Look everywhere
Milisa
Hi Jennifer,
I peel my apples.
~ Milisa
Heather Bringard
I made .used walnuts and some papitas. Also added some cloves as others did.
Milisa
Hi Heather,
Those are great additions, thanks for sharing.
~ Milisa
Nancy S.
A fabulous and easy recipe ! Everyone I make it for raves about it. I have shared your web site/ recipe with all of my friends 🍁
Milisa
Thanks Nancy! That makes my day!
~ Milisa
ruby
what kind of apples? Can I use Granny Smiths?
Milisa
Hi Ruby,
I generally use Gala apples but Granny Smith will work too.
~ Milisa
Roze
I made this cake today and it is delicious. However, I substituted Coconut flour for all purpose and monk fruit for sugar. Like I said it is very flavorful and I could have cut back the sugar as it is very sweet but the problem I had was that trying to take it out of pan it just fell apart all over. Anyone know what I should have done different? My cake looks exactly like this one.
Linda
Maybe use a combination of almond and coconut flour, also try adding some Zantac gum.
Edward Beck
You serve it from the pan, this cake is not the type that you remove from a pan. However, if you feel you must use a lined spring-form pan.
Tina
I used a similar recipe, I also used coconut and almond flour without the xanthan gum. My cake didn't fall apart but the dough had a "sandy" feel in the mouth. When I used coconut flour+ Bob Redmill's GF1-for -1 flour together, the cake was very good, it's texture was similar to the one using regular all-purpose flour
Rebecca
I am comparing this to a recipe from my Grandmother- very similar but I haven’t made it in years and years. Do I need to peel the apples?
Milisa
Hi Rebecca,
I like it better with the apples peeled. I hope you enjoy it!
~ Milisa
Verna m.
I love apples with only cinnamon. Anything else just takes away from the apples.
I make a quick apple crisp in microware with one apple and cranberries and cinnamon and sugar and crumble an oatmeal cookie on top. It is fast and good.for only 1 person.
Milisa
Hi Verna,
That sounds so good!
~ Milisa
Denise B
I would love to know more on how to make that for one/ or two
Milisa
Hi Denise,
I have not tried to cut the recipe down but this cake freezes really well. I would recommend baking the whole cake and freezing it in slices or possibly thirds to enjoy later. Wrap the cooled cake in a couple of layers of plastic wrap plus a layer of aluminum foil or place in a freezer baggie. I hope that helps.
~ Milisa
Loretta negrin
Hi can I use walnuts instead?
Baking soda not baking powder right?
Thank you
Milisa
Hi Loretta,
Walnuts are great in this apple cake and it is baking soda. I hope you get the chance to try it.
~ Milisa
robin carroll
can u use canola oil instead of veg oil
robin carroll
can i use canola oil instead of veg oil
Milisa
Hi Robin,
That will work!
~ Milisa
Sandi Gee
Can you use frozen apples?
Mary Campbell
I made the fresh apple cake 2 weeks ago and had a small piece, my daughter took the cake home with her and she loved it. I will bake another one this week. Thanks for the recipe
Milisa
Hi Mary,
I'm so glad y'all enjoyed it. My family can't get enough of it.
~ Milisa
Nancy
I made this because we are remodeling and I don’t have access to my mixer. Oh my goodness! My neighbors and our contractor went crazy over it , accused me of using marijuana butter or something addictive. I used 1/2 butter and 1/2 canola and added a 1/2 tsp of nutmeg and a big handful of craisens. So Good!!! 😻
Melody
I know you said you use Gala apples, but I was wondering if using Red Delicious would be ok,or would they not hold their shape?
Milisa
Hi Melody,
They will work but might be a little softer than the gala apples. I hope you enjoy it!
~ Milisa
Ann Varnadoe
I tried to make this apple cake. Followed directions exactly. My cake came out heavy and gooey. What happened?
Lydia
Hi, Ann. Perhaps your baking soda was expired. Try again! Mine turned out awesome.
Ann Varnadoe
I tried to make this apple cake. I followed the directions exactly as printed. My cake came out heavy and gooey. What happened?
Milisa
Hi Ann,
I have made this cake many, many times and never had an issue with it. It's possible that your oven temperature is off? I recently put a thermometer in my oven and was shocked at how off the thermostat is. I am sorry it didn't turn out for you.
~ Milisa
Stacey
Made this last night using apples from a tree my grandfather planted. Was delicious! I used more apples than it called for and cut them up in larger chunks.
Michelle
Do you know if using real butter will negatively affect the texture or outcome of the cake? Thanks!
Milisa
Hi Michelle,
I haven't tried it but I really think it would work just fine. Let me know how it turns out if you try it.
~ Milisa
Linda
I want to try this recipe tonight but I only have self-rising flour. Can I
use this flour and leave off the baking soda or do I have to wait till I make
a grocery store run to try it?
Milisa
Hi Linda,
Sorry I am just seeing this.You can use self-rising flour and leave out the baking soda. I hope you enjoy it.
~ Milisa
Margaret
Can I bake the cake in a jar? It would be nice for Christmas gifts. Thank you.
Milisa
Hi Margaret,
Yes you can, my mom used to bake them in coffee cans. I think the baking time will be a little shorter but I haven't tried it.
~ Milisa
Lisa
Hello, do you think I can bake in muffin tins? I would cut baking time.
Love this cake so much, I’ve been making with pears lately, just as yummy. Thanks!
Lisa
Milisa
Hi Lisa,
I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work in a muffin tin. I love it with pears too. Let me know how it turns out if you try it.
~ Milisa
Lisa
Soooo good as muffins! I’ve made 3 batches so far, makes about 18-20, we have so may pears! Baked up nice and little crunchy on top, everyone wanted to know what that delicious topping was, haha 😊thanks again!
Lisa
Milisa
Amazing! Thanks for sharing Lisa 🙂