Fresh Apple Cake Recipe

There’s something about fall that brings out the baker in me. I want to gather up all the seasonal produce and make delicious treats for everyone to share!

And this old-fashioned fresh apple cake is an excellent example of that. When apples are in-season and abundant, it’s the best time to bake some old-fashioned goodness.

All the deliciousness of cinnamon and “pie spice” type flavors mixed with apples and pecans.  Baked in a Bundt pan for a fuss-free, easy cake.

The frosting choice is up to you, but I love it with a rich cinnamon glaze to really make the flavor complete. It’s a marvelous way to celebrate fall!

Dessert should be memorable, and I love it best when it highlights fresh, in season produce. And growing up on a farm, fall desserts were always apple based. Sweet and tart, with all the best spices, an apple dessert is sure to bring a smile. (and maybe a little drool)

And this cake hits it out of the park! All the deliciousness of cinnamon and pie type flavors mixed with apples and pecans. Baked in a Bundt pan for a fuss-free, easy cake. No complicated steps, just straight up irresistible taste.

The frosting choice is up to you, but I love it with a rich cinnamon glaze to really make the flavor complete. It’s a marvelous way to celebrate fall!

Fresh Apple Cake Ingredients

Cake:

• Canola oil
• Sugar
• Flour
• Eggs
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cloves
• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla
• Apples
• Pecans

Glaze

• Butter
• Milk or water
• Cinnamon
• Powdered (confectioner’s) sugar

Best Apples for Cake

There are many opinions on this, and here is mine: the best apples are sweet and tart, and not too juicy. For example, when Granny Smith apples became all the rage for baking, I tried making pies with them. The taste is great, but I felt like there was just too much moisture, resulting in a downright soggy pie.

Because of this, I use a variety of apples when baking. I like to combine Granny Smith with Fuji or Gala to get a combination of sweet and tart in my baked goods. Heirloom varieties of baking apples are also fun to use.

Here are some of the most popular varieties of apples for baking, feel free to mix and match to suit your own taste buds:

• Granny Smith – tart and holds its shape well. But some recipes might need added sugar to offset the tartness (this is solved by mixing with a sweeter apple).
• Honeycrisp – a sweet apple, and very juicy. They have a long shelf life, so they taste good year-round. This is my favorite apple for eating, or to put in salads. I tend to use others for baking because I want more of a tart flavor than Honeycrisp provides.
• Braeburn – this is one of my favorite apples, but it can sometimes be difficult to find. It’s sweet, tart, and holds up well to baking. Buy some when you find them!
• Pink Lady – Both sweet and tart, I find these apples to be sweeter and make a good combination with Granny Smith.
• Cortland – these apples tart and sweet, a little softer in texture so they work well in recipes where you want the apples to break down a little more.
• Empire – sweet and crisp, empire apples have a balanced flavor that works well in baked goods. They are also known for being very crisp, which I love for eating. They have become harder to find than they used to be, so this is another you should buy when you can find them!

**Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for detailed quantities and directions**

How to make Apple Cake

1. To prep, spray a Bundt pan with baking spray (the kind with flour in it) and preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Peel, core, and finely chop the apples. Chop the pecans and measure the rest of the ingredients.

💭Top tip: use a variety of apples when baking. I like to combine Granny Smith with Fuji or Gala to get a combination of sweet and tart in my baked goods. Heirloom varieties of baking apples are also fun to use.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the oil and sugar, then add the eggs and mix well.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour with the other dry ingredients: baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
5. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Add the vanilla and stir well.

6. Now add the apples and pecans and stir to evenly distribute throughout the batter.

7. Transfer the batter to the prepared Bundt pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 70-75 minutes.
8. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a plate and remove the pan.

To Make the Cinnamon Glaze

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the butter to melt (about 1 minute). Add one cup of powdered sugar and the cinnamon and stir to combine.
2. Continue adding powdered sugar a cup at a time, alternating with milk or water, until the desired consistency is reached. Most glaze is very thin, but I wanted a thick glaze that would still drizzle but also be closer to a frosting-like consistency. You have complete control over this. 😃

Serving Suggestions

This cake is yummy when still warm, so go ahead and add the glaze right away so you can cut a piece or 2! A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes a lovely accompaniment.

If the glaze or frosting is too much for you, a simple dusting of powdered sugar would be a nice finish to the cake.

It would also be delightful with a dollop of whipped cream – so many choices! You might want to try them all! LOL

Storage

To keep this cake fresh, store it in an airtight container.

It can stay at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can you freeze apple cake?

Freeze individual slices for longer storage, up to 3 months.

More Delicious Ways to Celebrate the Flavors of Fall

I grew up on a farm with a giant heirloom "Duchess" apple tree. And we always had apple pie and apple crisp with those apples.

If you have a bunch of apples, you can make a batch of Instant Pot Apple Pie Filling to be canned and enjoyed for months!

Don't want to bake? Apples are also wonderful for dipping! Try some Heath Bar Dip or a Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip. Both make sliced apples into a delicious dessert!

And a variety of apples are recommended to make delicious homemade apple butter that tastes like caramelized apples.

And what about pumpkin? Some delicious pumpkin bars might be just what your craving. Or an old fashioned carrot cake. Both have cream cheese frosting, because that just makes everything better!