Easy Apple Cake

This is the easiest most delicious Apple Cake! It has fresh soft apples, cinnamon spice, applesauce, and incredible flavours bursting in every bite. This cake melts-in-your-mouth and before you know it you'll be going for seconds!

There is nothing like an apple cake fresh out of the oven. The aromas, the soft cake, the first bite...I'm in heaven just thinking about it!

This cake is perfect for any occasion. Whether it's a dinner party and you need to quickly bake something, or a simple weekend treat. It is decadent and spectacular.

My favourite part about this cake is how easy it is. You don't even need an electric mixer.

Ingredients Notes

Full recipe and ingredients are in the recipe card below. Feel free to scroll through this section to view certain key ingredients we’re using!

• Apples – I used 2 large Granny Smith apples. You can use any apples. I prefer using a tart apple in this cake as it compliments well with the sweetness. I had 2 cups total, sliced into small cubes. I chopped them with the skin off, but you can keep it if you wish.
• Applesauce – I used unsweetened applesauce.
• Cornstarch – This helps add a tender crumb to the cake and keeps the apples from sinking to the bottom.
• Eggs – Make sure they’re at room temperature before beginning.
• Flour – All-purpose flour is used in this recipe.

Step by step instructions

Here is how to make and bake this easy apple cake. You will need a 9×9 baking pan lined with parchment paper, 3 mixing bowls, a spatula, and a whisk.

Step 1 – Prep.  For easy removal of the cake, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Gently grease the other two sides and then set aside. Peel and cut the apples into small cubes. Gently toss the chopped apples in 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Then set aside while you make the cake batter.

Step 2 – Mix dry ingredients. In a medium sized bowl, add in flour, cinnamon, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.

Step 3 – Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, add oil, brown sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and eggs. Mix for 2-3 minutes until well combined. Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl.

Step 4 - Add the dry ingredients. Add the dry into the wet and using a spatula, mix until just combined and no flour streaks appear. Do not over-mix!

Step 5 - Add the apples. Add them into the batter and mix until just combined and evenly distributed. Don't over-mix!

Step 6 – Bake. Spread the batter into the prepared pan evenly. In a small cup, mix together 3 tsps sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle that on top. This will give you a sweet crunchy top. 

Bake this easy apple cake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. It took me 30 minutes exactly in my oven, but ovens do vary so keep an eye on it after 25 minutes.

Expert Baking Tips

Here are a few expert baking tips from my kitchen to yours

• Use a gram scale. I cannot emphasize this enough! It is the most accurate way of measuring your ingredients in the kitchen. This is one of my favourites.
• Use tart apples. They compliment so well with the sweetness!
• Do not over-mix! A big reason cakes don’t rise or turn out tough is because the batter is over-mixed. Once you see no flour streaks, stop mixing.
• Use fresh, not frozen. Make sure to use fresh apples!
• To make ahead of time: Bake, cool, slice, and store in an airtight container or wrap in foil/saran wrap.

FAQ

How do I store this cake?

It stays good on the counter for two days, and in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 5 days!

Can I use sweetened applesauce?

Yes, the cake will just be a bit sweeter! If you do use sweetened applesauce, please use tart apples to balance the sweet and sourness.

Can this recipe be doubled?

Yes, bake it in a 9×13 pan and increase the baking time by checking in on it after the 35 minute mark. It should take anywhere from 40-50 minutes to bake.

Do I have to add applesauce?

If you don’t want to add applesauce, you can replace it with room temperature yogurt, buttermilk, or kefir.

Can I bake this in an 8×8 pan?

Yes, the cake will be taller and probably bake for 5-10 minutes longer.

Can I add oats?

Check out Applesauce Oatmeal Breakfast Cake.

PS : If you enjoyed this recipe, please make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW down below! I'd love to stay connected on Instagram @taffeybakery! To get more recipes follow me on TikTok @taffeybakery!

Easy Apple Cake

Ania

This is the easiest most delicious Apple Cake! It has fresh soft apples, cinnamon spice, applesauce, and incredible flavours bursting in every bite. This cake melts-in-your-mouth and before you know it you'll be going for seconds!

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 9 slices

Calories 299 kcal

Need metric measurements?Use the buttons below to click between US cups and Metric grams!

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

For the cake

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsps baking soda
• 3/4 tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cinnamon for dusting apples
• 1/2 cup oil or melted and cooled butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or sweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cups light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 2 large eggs or 3 small, at room temperature
• 2 medium-sized Granny Smith apples* peeled and chopped, 2 cups total

For the sprinkle

• 3 tsps white sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350℉/180℃. For easy removal of the cake, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Gently grease the two sides without parchment paper and then set aside. Slice the apples into small cubes and gently toss in 1/4 tsp of cinnamon. Then set aside while you make the batter.
  2 medium-sized Granny Smith apples*
• In a medium sized bowl, add in flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
  1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 tsps baking soda, 3/4 tsps baking powder, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon
• In a large bowl, add oil, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and applesauce. Whisk for 2-3 minutes until it's well combined. Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl.
  1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3/4 cups light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tbsp vanilla
• Mix in the dry ingredients and using a spatula, gently fold until a batter forms. Do not over-mix!
• Then add the apples into the bowl. Gently mix until JUST combined, don't over-mix!
  2 medium-sized Granny Smith apples*
• Spread the batter into the prepared pan evenly. In a small cup, add white sugar and cinnamon and mix together. Then sprinkle on top evenly. This will give you a sweet crunchy top.
  3 tsps white sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• Bake for 25-35 minutes, depending on your oven. It took me 30 minutes exactly. Allow it to cool, slice, and enjoy!
• This cake is best enjoyed fresh day of and next day. Store in an airtight container for 3 days on your counter, or up to a week in the fridge.

Equipment

9x9 Baking Pan

Parchment Paper

Gram Scale

Spatula

Whisk

Notes

Apples* – I used 2 medium-sized Granny Smith apples. You can use any kind of apples though. I prefer using a tart apple in this cake as it compliments well with the sweetness. I had 2 cups total, sliced into small cubes. I chopped them with the skin off, but you can keep it if you wish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 148mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 58IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg

Keyword easy apple cake

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