The Best Apple Cake Recipe
This simple apple cake recipe is one of the easiest cake recipes you can find. It makes a moist and delicious homemade apple cake that never fails.
This easy homemade apple cake is one of those classic desserts that everyone loves, and it never fails, just like banana bread, tiramisu, and chocolate chip cookies. If you are looking for a recipe for an apple cake that always works and delivers the best, moist apple cake, this recipe is for you.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Apple Cinnamon Cake
Foolproof and No-Fail: This homemade apple cake recipe is a guaranteed success every time! During the last few years, I’ve made this cake at least 20 times with different variations, and it never failed. It’s the most forgiving apple cake recipe out there, perfect for bakers of all levels.
Moist and Flavorful: With the addition of fresh apples and a touch of cinnamon, this moist apple cake is packed with flavor. The apples keep the cake soft and juicy, while the cinnamon adds warmth and depth to every bite.
Simple and Quick: Looking for an easy apple cake recipe? This recipe is a breeze to prepare. From the straightforward ingredients to the quick baking time, you’ll have a delicious dessert on the table in no time.
Versatile and Classic: Whether you’re serving it as a snack, dessert, or even for breakfast, this apple cinnamon cake is a timeless treat that everyone will enjoy.
🛒 Ingredients
- Flour: The base of the cake, providing structure and stability. It gives the cake its soft crumb and helps bind the ingredients together.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the cake rise, ensuring a light and fluffy texture. It plays a crucial role in making this the best apple cake recipe every time.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a rich depth of flavor, perfectly complementing the fresh apples. This spice is key in creating that irresistible apple cinnamon cake flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness and bringing out the natural flavors of the apples and cinnamon.
- Apples: The star ingredient, providing moisture, natural sweetness, and a fresh, fruity taste. The apples keep the cake soft and ensure a moist apple cake every time.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, helping to hold the cake together while also contributing to its light and airy texture.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cake and helps with browning during baking, giving the cake a beautiful golden crust.
- Butter: Adds richness and a tender, moist texture to the cake. It also enhances the flavor, making the cake extra delicious.
- Milk: Keeps the cake moist and adds a bit of extra richness to the batter, helping everything come together smoothly.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses the cake with a delicate, sweet aroma, enhancing the flavor of the apples and cinnamon.
- Brandy/Rum (optional): Adds a subtle depth of flavor that complements the apples and spices, giving the cake a sophisticated twist.
Best Apples for Baking Apple Cake
What apples are the best for apple cake? When it comes to making the best apple cake recipe, choosing the right apples is essential for flavor and texture. In my opinion, the best apples for apple cake are the ones you personally enjoy most, as they will bring the best flavor to your cake.
Here are some popular apple varieties that work well in baking apple cake:
- Granny Smith – Tartness and Firmness: Granny Smith apples provide a tangy flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the cake. Their firm texture holds up well during baking, ensuring the apples don’t turn mushy.
- Honeycrisp – Sweetness and Juiciness: Known for their sweet flavor and crisp bite, Honeycrisp apples add a natural sweetness to the cake, while their juicy texture ensures the cake stays moist.
- Fuji – Sweetness and Crisp Texture: Fuji apples bring a very sweet flavor to the cake, along with a satisfying crisp texture. They add sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Braeburn – Balanced Sweet-Tart Flavor: Braeburn apples offer a balanced sweet and tart taste, making them ideal for a more nuanced flavor profile in your apple cake.
- Golden Delicious – Mild Sweetness and Soft Texture: Golden Delicious apples provide a mild sweetness and a softer texture, which blends well with the cake batter, giving a smooth, tender bite.
Each type of apple brings something unique, so feel free to use one variety or a mix of your favorites to create the perfect flavor balance in your homemade fresh apple cake recipe!
How to Make The Best Apple Cake
1. Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure an easy release.
2. Peel and Dice the Apples
Peel and dice your apples into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces. This size ensures the apples bake evenly and distribute well throughout the cake.
3. Prepare the Cake Batter
Whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, then add melted butter, milk, vanilla, and optional brandy/rum. Fold in the dry ingredients, then gently mix in the diced apples.
4. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool before removing from the pan.
Substitutes and Variations
This simple apple cake recipe is versatile, allowing for easy substitutions and creative variations to suit different dietary needs and preferences. Here are some ideas to modify the recipe:
Vegan Apple Cake: To make a vegan version of this easy apple cake recipe, you can replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), and substitute the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter. Use a non-dairy milk, such as almond or oat milk, to replace regular milk. The result will be a delicious, moist apple cake that’s 100% plant-based.
Gluten-Free Apple Cake: For a gluten-free apple cake, simply swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for structure, or add 1/2 teaspoon to your dry ingredients if it’s not included. This will ensure your cake holds together well and has the right texture.
Apple and Nut Cake: For a twist, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch and flavor. The combination of apples and nuts creates a delightful texture contrast.
Spiced Apple Cake: Enhance the warm flavors by adding more spices like nutmeg, allspice, or ginger along with the cinnamon. This variation is perfect for fall or holiday baking.
Tips to Make Moist Apple Cake
Replace Butter with Oil: For extra moisture, replace 3 tablespoons of butter with oil. Oil helps retain moisture and gives the cake a softer texture.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to a dense cake. Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined to keep the cake light and tender.
Add Yogurt or Sour Cream: Mixing a couple of tablespoons of yogurt or sour cream into the batter can enhance moisture and richness.
Avoid Overbaking: Keep a close eye on the cake while baking. Overbaking will dry it out, so remove it from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.
How to Store
Room Temperature: Keep the cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
Fridge: For longer storage, refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezing: To freeze, wrap the cake (or slices) in plastic wrap, then foil, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
More Dessert Recipes
If you love simple and flavorful desserts like this Apple Cinnamon Cake, here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:
The Best Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups (220 g) All-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 4 Apples medium
- 3 Eggs large
- ¾ cup (150 g) Sugar
- 9 tablespoons (135 g) Butter melted
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Milk
- 1-2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Brandy/rum *optional
Instructions
Preparate the pan and preheat the oven:
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a parchment paper on the bottom of an 8-inch (20cm) springform pan.
Peel the dice the apples:
- Peel and dice the apples into 1-inch (2.5cm) pieces. Read recipe notes.
Prepare cake batter:
- In a small bowl whisk flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl place eggs and sugar, whisk for about 2-3 minutes, until light, pale and fluffy. Add melted butter, milk, vanilla extract and rum/brandy (optional) and whisk until combined.
- Sift in flour mixture and mix until incorporated.
- Add the apples and fold until evenly distributed. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
Bake the cake:
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes, release from the pan and let cool to room temperature.
- Before serving dust with powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
- Watch the Video: For a better understanding of the recipe, I always recommend watching the video recipe, which includes a step-by-step guide to help you succeed.
- FAQs: Make sure you read the FAQs for this recipe which are located below the recipe box for additional tips and troubleshooting! For extra tips and variations read the article.
Nutrition
🤔 Common Questions
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, you can leave it out or replace it with nutmeg or allspice for a different flavor twist.
Yes, you can substitute melted butter with an equal amount of vegetable oil or coconut oil. It will slightly change the flavor but still produce a moist cake.
It’s recommended to peel the apples for a smoother texture in the cake, but if you prefer a rustic look and feel, you can leave the skins on.
Yes, adding chopped walnuts or pecans is a great way to add extra crunch and flavor. Fold them into the batter with the diced apples.
My family loved this!