The Most Scrumptious Apple Cake Recipe for Fall Baking

Every home baker loves a comforting apple cake that whispers memories of childhood afternoons.

Sweet aromas drift through kitchens, promising warm and delightful moments ahead.

Crisp autumn apples bring magical textures and natural sweetness to this classic dessert.

Soft crumbs mingle with tender fruit pieces, creating a symphony of rustic flavors.

Baking this simple treat connects us to cherished traditions passed down through generations.

Cinnamon and nutmeg dance alongside fresh fruit, promising a delectable experience that will make you smile.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create something truly special together.

Why Apple Cake Is Warm, Sweet, And Just Feels Like Home

• Whip Up Comfort Quickly: This apple cake recipe offers a delightful blend of simplicity and flavor, perfect for home bakers who want a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Ease: The recipe allows for flexible ingredient adjustments, making it simple to add nuts, swap yogurt, or modify spices to suit personal tastes or dietary preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Suitable for multiple occasions, from casual family gatherings to potluck parties, this moist and aromatic cake will impress guests with its rich apple and warm spice flavors.
• Minimal Baking Skills Required: With straightforward instructions and basic ingredients, even novice bakers can confidently create a professional-looking dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery.

What You’ll Need For Homemade Apple Cake

• Flour: Base of the cake, provides structure and texture.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and become light.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that enhance apple flavor, use freshly ground for best taste.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creates rich, sweet base, use softened butter for smooth mixing.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds richness and structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor, use pure vanilla for best taste.
• Greek Yogurt, Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness to cake.

• Apples, Chopped Nuts: Fresh, crisp apples add natural sweetness, nuts provide crunch.
• Use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.

Step-By-Step Instructions For Making Apple Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a 9-inch round or square baking pan and give it a loving coat of grease and flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Whip Together Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground ginger
• Salt

Whisk these buddies until they’re perfectly blended and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Beat until the mixture looks light and fluffy like a cloud. Drop in eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each. Splash in vanilla extract for that irresistible aroma.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into the creamy base. Alternate with Greek yogurt and milk, mixing until just combined. Remember – no overmixing allowed!

Step 5: Welcome Apple Chunks

Fold in diced apples and optional chopped nuts. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter for a perfect bite every time.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely. For a final touch, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with decadent caramel sauce. Slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips For A Soft, Moist Apple Cake

• Select Ripe Apples: Choose firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best flavor and texture in your cake.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss diced apples with a little lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent discoloration during mixing.
• Customize Nut Options: Swap walnuts or pecans for almonds, or skip nuts entirely for a nut-free version that's equally delicious.
• Moisture Magic: Greek yogurt helps create an incredibly moist cake, ensuring a tender crumb that stays soft for days after baking.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste or texture.

How To Store Apple Cake Without Losing Flavor

• Preserve your delicious apple cake's freshness by storing it properly.
• Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss.
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days, keeping it in an airtight container to maintain its soft texture.
• Want to enjoy the cake later? Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer-safe bag for maximum convenience.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, restoring its original moistness and flavor.
• Room temperature storage works best for 1-2 days if kept in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.

Best Drinks And Sides With Apple Cake

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Complement the cake's warm spices by serving a fragrant, creamy chai tea that echoes the cinnamon and nutmeg notes.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Add a scoop of rich, smooth vanilla bean ice cream to create a delightful temperature contrast and enhance the cake's sweetness.
• Serve alongside Caramel Macchiato: The buttery caramel and espresso flavors in a macchiato beautifully highlight the apple cake's deep, comforting taste profile.
• Enjoy with Aged Cheddar Cheese: Create a sophisticated pairing by serving a small plate of sharp, aged cheddar that balances the cake's sweetness with a tangy, bold flavor.

Ways To Make Your Apple Cake Extra Special

• Rustic Caramel Apple Cake: Replace Greek yogurt with caramel sauce, adding extra caramel drizzle between cake layers for a rich, gooey texture that enhances the apple's natural sweetness.
• Wholesome Wheat Apple Cake: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, creating a nuttier profile and boosting the cake's nutritional value with a hearty, wholesome finish.
• Spiced Autumn Apple Cake: Increase the spice blend by adding cardamom and allspice, then mix in toasted pumpkin seeds for an extra layer of warmth and crunch that captures fall's essence.
• Gluten-Free Apple Almond Cake: Use almond flour instead of wheat flour, incorporate almond extract, and sprinkle sliced almonds on top for a light, moist cake with a delicate nutty undertone.

FAQs About Baking The Best Apple Cake

• Why use Greek yogurt in this apple cake recipe?

Greek yogurt adds moisture and creates a tender, soft texture while providing a subtle tangy flavor that complements the sweet apples and warm spices perfectly.

• Can I substitute the nuts in the recipe?

Absolutely! You can replace nuts with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or simply omit them if you have nut allergies or prefer a nut-free version of the cake.

• How do I know if my apples are good for baking?

Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These varieties hold their shape during baking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and acidity to the cake.

• What makes the spices in this cake special?

The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger creates a warm, aromatic flavor profile that enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and gives the cake a cozy, comforting taste.

Apple Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic Apple Cake brings nostalgic warmth from her German kitchen, blending sweet cinnamon notes with tender fruit. Delicate spices and rich buttery layers invite you to savor a slice of comforting family tradition.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients and Sweeteners:

• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
• ½ cup milk

Fruit and Nuts:

• 2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 medium apples)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Optional Topping:

• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Caramel sauce for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by coating with butter and flour, ensuring a non-stick surface for the apple-studded confection. Select a 9-inch round or square pan for optimal results.
2. Create a fragrant dry mixture by whisking flour, leavening agents, warm spices, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. The combination will provide structural integrity and aromatic complexity to the cake.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars until the mixture transforms into a light, voluminous texture. Incorporate eggs individually, allowing each to fully integrate before adding the next. Infuse with vanilla for depth of flavor.
4. Carefully introduce the spiced flour mixture into the creamy base, alternating with yogurt and milk. Gently fold the ingredients until just combined, maintaining a tender crumb structure.
5. Delicately fold diced apples and optional nuts throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution of fruit and potential crunch.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the surface to create an even layer. Position in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes. The cake is ready when a inserted toothpick emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness.
7. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, facilitating easy removal. Complete cooling on a wire rack, then embellish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a luxurious caramel drizzle before serving.

Notes

• Experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for varied flavor profiles and textures in your cake.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and consistent cake texture, preventing lumps and uneven baking.
• Replace Greek yogurt with sour cream or applesauce for moisture and to accommodate dietary preferences or ingredient availability.
• Toast nuts before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch, creating more depth in the cake’s overall taste experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg