Fresh Apple Cake is simple to prepare and there’s no need to peel the apples. This moist, warmly spiced cake captures the cozy flavors of apple season and makes a lovely dessert for any occasion. Baked with plenty of fresh fruit, it’s tender, flavorful and easy from start to finish.
Ingredients to Have on Hand
The ingredients for Fresh Apple Cake are basic pantry staples—just add a few baking apples. This recipe is a straightforward scratch-made dessert that highlights fresh fruit and warm spices.
Grocery list:
- 3–4 baking apples
- sugar
- brown sugar
- flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- vanilla extract
- butter
- egg
Scroll to the recipe section for exact measurements.
Prepare the Apples
Rinse apples and pat dry. Leave the peels on. Slice and then dice into bite-sized pieces—about 4 cups of diced apples is a good target, but it doesn’t need to be exact.
Best Apples for Apple Cake
For baking, choose varieties that hold their shape when cooked but still become tender and sweet. Good options include:
- Golden Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Honeycrisp
Spice Combination for the Best Apple Cake
This cake uses a simple, balanced spice mix so the apple flavor shines. The recipe calls for:
- cinnamon — warm, sweet and classic with apples
- nutmeg — adds a nutty, aromatic depth
Together they complement the fruit without overpowering it.
Cake in a Pie Dish
The cake bakes well in any dish that holds about 5 cups and allows the batter to spread to roughly 2 inches in height. A 9″ pie dish is a favorite for appearance and size.
What You’ll Love Most About This Recipe
- Easy to make: minimal prep and no peeling required.
- Moist texture: lots of apples keep the cake tender and juicy.
- Slightly crunchy top: sugar and butter form a pleasant crust when hot from the oven.
- Subtle spices: the cinnamon and nutmeg enhance, not overwhelm, the apple flavor.
Serve Any Time of the Year
While apple spice cake is often associated with fall, it’s enjoyable year-round. Serve it warm or cold depending on preference and the season.
Optional Toppings
The cake is lovely on its own, but these make nice additions:
- Warm caramel sauce
- Vanilla ice cream
- Frozen yogurt
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar dusting
Serve Cake Warm or Cold
Flavors are balanced whether the cake is warm or chilled. To gently rewarm a slice, microwave on half power for about 45 seconds.
Top Tips and FAQ
Keep the cake at room temperature for the first day. Because it’s moist and contains fresh apples, cover and refrigerate after 24 hours and enjoy within four days.
Yes. Cool the cake completely, wrap tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and freeze. Use within three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Other Recipes Using a Garden Harvest
If you have an abundance of garden fruit, this cake is a simple way to use fresh apples. It’s also a thoughtful gift to share with neighbors, new parents or anyone who appreciates a homemade treat.
More Baking Recipes
-
Homemade Biscuits (Easy, No Yeast Recipe)
-
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
-
Candy Cane Cookies
-
Tiramisu Cake for Dessert
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Recipe
Fresh Apple Cake Recipe
Equipment
-
9″ pie dish
Ingredients
- 3–4 apples, sliced and diced with the peels on (about 4 cups) — use baking varieties such as Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease or spray a 9″ pie plate and set aside.
Assemble Apple Cake Ingredients
- Slice and dice apples into bite-sized pieces; leave the peels on.
- In a medium bowl, mix both sugars with the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir to combine, then add the diced apples and toss to coat.
- In a separate small bowl or measuring cup, melt the butter and whisk in the egg and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture over the coated apples and stir until no dry bits remain. The batter will be thick.
Bake and Serve
- Spread the apple mixture into the prepared pie plate and bake 40–45 minutes, until the cake is golden brown and set. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, or enjoy at room temperature.
Notes
This cake bakes well in any baking dish that holds roughly 5 cups and allows the batter to reach about 2 inches in height. If you like baking with fresh fruit, try other easy desserts such as fresh fruit tarts or croissant bread pudding.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving: Calories: 406 kcal • Carbohydrates: 76 g • Protein: 4 g • Fat: 10 g • Saturated Fat: 6 g • Cholesterol: 57 mg • Sodium: 406 mg • Fiber: 3 g • Sugar: 53 g
Nutrition details are estimates based on a food database and are provided as a guideline.