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!
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!
If you love this Recipe as much as I do, please leave a comment and a five star review, and be sure to help me share on Pinterest!
Fresh Apple Cake
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.
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.
What does the malt vinegar do?
This is review of the cake not a reply to a specific review. What a great and EASY cake! Made it with my 4 yr old and he was so excited to help. Also, my husband who usually doesn’t like cakes of any kind LOVED it! Quick question: do you think it will work if I substitute the 1 cup oil with melted butter?
Thanks!
Can I substitute apple sauce for the oil
Hi Karen,
That will work! I hope you give this recipe a try.
~ Milisa
I have made this cake twice & my family loves it. Thank you for this great recipe. Pat Pollard dachsi@charter.net
Hi Pat,
I am so glad you are enjoying it! It’s my favorite apple cake.
~ Milisa
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!
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
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
Why can I see the measurements for ingredients?
Hi Jeannette,
The recipe card is at the bottom of the post, just above where you comment. Use the Jump to Recipe button at the top if you need to.
~ Milisa
What type of apples are best to be used?
Do you peel the apples ?
Hi Ro,
It is best to peel the apples. I have used Granny smith or gala apples for this recipe.
~ Milisa
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.
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
Hi Robinn,
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Love the idea of allspice and cloves.
~ Milisa
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.
Excellent. Reminds me of my childhood.
Altered slightly.
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice.
Excellent
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your feedback, sounds delicious!
~ Milisa
Are the skins left on the apples? It’s never clarified. Look everywhere
Hi Jennifer,
I peel my apples.
~ Milisa
I made .used walnuts and some papitas. Also added some cloves as others did.
Hi Heather,
Those are great additions, thanks for sharing.
~ Milisa
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 🍁
Thanks Nancy! That makes my day!
~ Milisa
Can you use red dilicous apples?
Hi Sheri,
You can use an apple that you have on hand. Red delicious apples will be a bit more mushy but they will work if that is what you have on hand.
~ Milisa
what kind of apples? Can I use Granny Smiths?
Hi Ruby,
I generally use Gala apples but Granny Smith will work too.
~ Milisa
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.
Maybe use a combination of almond and coconut flour, also try adding some Zantac gum.
I’m a gluten free baker and you need to use a half tsp of xanthan gum ( not Zantac gum ). Also is you cut the flour back by 1/8 a cup and add that amount of potato flour you’ll get a more stable product.
Hi Johannah,
Thanks for stopping by with your expertise! Greatly appreciated.
~ Milisa
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.
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
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?
Hi Rebecca,
I like it better with the apples peeled. I hope you enjoy it!
~ Milisa
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.
Hi Verna,
That sounds so good!
~ Milisa
I would love to know more on how to make that for one/ or two
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
I would love to have your recipe if you don’t mind sharing.
Thank You,
Janie
Hi can I use walnuts instead?
Baking soda not baking powder right?
Thank you
Hi Loretta,
Walnuts are great in this apple cake and it is baking soda. I hope you get the chance to try it.
~ Milisa
can u use canola oil instead of veg oil
can i use canola oil instead of veg oil
Hi Robin,
That will work!
~ Milisa
Can you use frozen apples?
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
Hi Mary,
I’m so glad y’all enjoyed it. My family can’t get enough of it.
~ Milisa
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!!! 😻
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?
Hi Melody,
They will work but might be a little softer than the gala apples. I hope you enjoy it!
~ Milisa
I tried to make this apple cake. Followed directions exactly. My cake came out heavy and gooey. What happened?
Hi, Ann. Perhaps your baking soda was expired. Try again! Mine turned out awesome.
I tried to make this apple cake. I followed the directions exactly as printed. My cake came out heavy and gooey. What happened?
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
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.
Do you know if using real butter will negatively affect the texture or outcome of the cake? Thanks!
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
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?
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
Can I bake the cake in a jar? It would be nice for Christmas gifts. Thank you.
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
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
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
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
Amazing! Thanks for sharing Lisa 🙂
I tried to use one of your recipes, but unfortunately, you have so many ads, pop-ups and extraneous info, that I’m leaving your site. I’ll find my recipe elsewhere.
Hi Gladys,
I am sorry the ads were too annoying for you. There is a jump to recipe button at the top that will take you to the recipe card to avoid all of the things you say are extraneous info. You scrolled right past the recipe card to leave a comment.
~ Milisa
I have been making a half recipe of this delicious & moist cake for years! with melted butter, instead of oil, in 8×8 pan. It’s super easy & always a crowd pleaser. Thanks for the double recipe! It’s in the oven now.
Hi Kathy,
I will try it with butter next time, glad to know it can be halved. It’s one of our favorites.\
~ Milisa
I made this today and it is delicious. Simple too. I was low on sugar and used a combo of white and coconut sugar totaling about 1-1/3 cups. Plenty sweet. Used half cup each of vegetable oil and whole milk Greek yogurt instead of full cup oil. Thanks for recipe, I love it.
Hi Sharon,
I am so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing your success with the substitutions.
~ Milisa
Can I substitute coconut oil for the vegetable oil?
Hi Sheri,
Yes the coconut oil should work as a great substitute for vegetable oil. I hope you get the chance to try it.
~ Milisa
First made this recipe almost 50 years ago. Got it from a cookbook put out for the Arts and Apples festival in Rochester Hills, Mi. Made it again last week .
Has always been a favorite go to and very forgiving when in a hurry. Thanks for bringing it back again . I’m sure it will remain a favorite.
Hi Becky,
It is one of my favorites, so glad you found it and can enjoy it again.
~ Milisa
Hi, Milisa! My husband’s grandmother left a box full of recipe cards, which he got when she passed many years ago. Her apple cake was always his favorite, but unfortunately the handwritten card had only the ingredients – not the instructions! I searched the ingredients in Google, and it brought me right here, to this almost identical recipe! I am using your instructions to bake, and we’ll serve the recipe to my husband’s aunt & uncle for brunch this weekend as a surprise. I just wanted to thank you for posting this, it’s helping me to bring back so many memories for the people who loved Grandma Marie!
Hi Laurie,
This makes my day, I am so glad you found it! I hope y’all enjoy it as much as we do.
~ Milisa
I made this today and it was really good and simple to make. I made half the recipe. I did make my own little tweaks like adding in about 2 tablespoons of butter along with the oil until it reached the required amount, some nutmeg (would have added some clove if i had it). I did use a mixture of brown sugar and regular sugar. I did reduce the amount by ¼ cup but I do think I can reduce it more for my own taste. All in all simple quick delicious cake to make!
So glad you enjoyed it!
~ Milisa
Turned out NOTHING like shown in video and pictures. Followed recipe exactly and turned out underdone and very hard sugar around it. If I would have baked it longer than the sugar would have burnt. Husband said it tasted like sugar and cooked egg. Do not recommend.
I am sorry to hear that this cake did not turn out for you. This recipe has been in our family for a very long time and I have made it successfully many, many times. The only thing I can think of is that your oven temperature could be off causing it to overcook on the outside while being underdone in the middle.
~ Milisa
Can we use a 9 x 13 pan!?
Hi Connie,
A 9 x 13 pan will work, hope you try it!
~ Milisa
Hi Milisa, loved your recipe!!!
I only made half the recipe but used two eggs. Super easy, one bowl, no mixer needed, it’s my new go to apple cake for any day of the week!!
Thank you
Hi Allison,
So glad you liked it, it’s my favorite easy cake.
~ Milisa
Cake has good flavor but is dry. My oven temp is accurate. Needs moisture
Hi Michele,
I have made this cake so many times and never had an issue with it being dry. Perhaps too much flour but I have found this recipe quite forgiving, sorry it was dry when you tried it.
~ Milisa