Apple Cake Recipe

Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe: A Sweet Autumn Delight

Baking a delightful apple cake brings pure comfort to your kitchen on chilly afternoons.

Sweet aromas will soon fill every corner with warmth and nostalgia.

Crisp seasonal fruits transform ordinary desserts into memorable culinary experiences.

Familiar ingredients blend seamlessly, creating magic with minimal effort.

Subtle spices dance through each tender crumb, promising rich flavor profiles.

Generous slices promise moments of pure indulgence that spark joy.

You’ll want to slice into this delectable treat right away.

Why Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake Is The Dessert Everyone’s Talking About

  • Savor Simplicity: This apple cake recipe offers straightforward steps that even novice bakers can master with confidence, making it accessible to everyone from kitchen beginners to seasoned home cooks.
  • Capture Comfort: Packed with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this cake delivers a nostalgic, homey flavor that instantly wraps you in a cozy culinary embrace, perfect for family gatherings or quiet moments.
  • Celebrate Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh diced apples provides natural sweetness and texture, transforming a basic cake into a delightful dessert that highlights seasonal produce and creates a more wholesome treat.
  • Versatile Delight: Whether served as an afternoon snack, dessert after dinner, or alongside morning coffee, this adaptable cake suits multiple occasions and satisfies diverse taste preferences with its classic, crowd-pleasing profile.

What You’ll Need For Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake

Cake Base:
  • Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the apple cake.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy consistency.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.
Spices:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Classic warming spices that complement the apple's natural sweetness and add depth to the cake.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Sugar, Butter: Create a rich, sweet base that ensures the cake's moist and tender crumb.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.
  • Milk, Vegetable Oil: Add moisture and help create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a subtle, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Fruit:
  • Apples: The star ingredient that brings natural sweetness, moisture, and a delightful fruity element to the cake.
Optional Finishing:
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds a delicate, sweet garnish and elegant presentation to the cake.

How To Make Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake Effortlessly

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Heat the oven to 350°F and generously coat a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, making sure every inch is covered to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Carefully peel and core the apples, then chop them into tiny, bite-sized cubes that will spread magic throughout the cake.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg

Blend until the mixture looks smooth and lump-free.

Step 4: Cream Sugar and Butter

In another bowl, beat sugar and butter until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness, using an electric mixer for about 3 minutes.

Step 5: Add Eggs

Crack eggs into the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a silky-smooth batter.

Step 6: Incorporate Liquid Ingredients

Pour in:
  • Milk
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract

Stir until everything blends into a beautiful, glossy mixture.

Step 7: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix and deflate the batter’s beautiful airiness.

Step 8: Fold in Apples

Carefully mix the diced apples into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly distributed for a perfect bite every time.

Step 9: Fill the Pan

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, using a spatula to smooth the top into a perfectly even surface.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes.

The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

Step 11: Cool Down

Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the cake and serve at room temperature. For an extra touch of elegance, dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Tips To Nail Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake Every Time

  • Choose ripe, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance in your cake.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake light and tender, gently folding ingredients until just combined.
  • Dust the diced apples with a bit of flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
  • Let the cake cool completely before slicing to help it set and maintain its delicate, moist structure.
  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.

Tasty Twists On Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake

  • Caramel Apple Cake: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over each slice and sprinkle chopped pecans for added crunch and rich flavor complexity.
  • Spiced Rum Apple Cake: Add 2 tablespoons dark rum to batter and replace some vanilla with rum extract for a boozy, sophisticated version.
  • Cream Cheese Frosted Apple Cake: Top cooled cake with tangy cream cheese frosting made from softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
  • Nutty Apple Streusel Cake: Create a crunchy topping using mixed chopped nuts, brown sugar, flour, and cold butter crumbled together and sprinkled over batter before baking.

Perfect Pairings For Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake

  • Sip Caramel Cinnamon Latte: Creamy espresso with caramel and cinnamon notes perfectly complements the warm apple cake, enhancing its sweet and spicy undertones.
  • Pair Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cold, smooth vanilla ice cream creates a delightful temperature contrast against the warm cake, melting softly and adding rich creamy texture.
  • Match Chai Tea: Spiced chai tea with cardamom, ginger, and clove echoes the cake's warm spices, creating a harmonious flavor connection that elevates the dessert experience.
  • Enjoy Salted Caramel Drizzle: Light drizzle of salted caramel sauce adds complexity, balancing the cake's sweetness with a subtle salty kick and enhancing overall depth of flavor.

How To Keep Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake Fresh

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
  • Freezing: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap each slice securely in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
  • Counter Storage: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 1-2 days if your kitchen is cool and dry. Use a cake dome or loosely tent with foil to protect from dust.
  • Reheating: Warm refrigerated or thawed cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore original moisture and softness.

Quick FAQs For Melt-In-Your-Mouth Apple Cake

  • What makes this apple cake different from other apple cake recipes?

This recipe uses a perfect blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a warm, aromatic flavor that sets it apart from traditional apple cakes, with a unique technique of thoroughly incorporating wet and dry ingredients for an exceptionally moist texture.

  • Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various apple varieties like Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness, or Gala for a balanced flavor. Just ensure the apples are fresh and firm for the best cake texture.

  • Is this recipe suitable for beginner bakers?

Absolutely! The step-by-step instructions are straightforward, and the technique of gradually mixing ingredients makes it foolproof. Even novice bakers can achieve a professional-looking and delicious apple cake with this recipe.

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Apple Cake Recipe

Apple Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Indulgent Spiced Apple Cake weaves warmth from classic German baking traditions, blending sweet orchard fruits with rich cinnamon notes. Delicate crumb and caramelized apple layers invite memories of comforting family gatherings, drawing you into a slice of pure autumn comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Apple Cake Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 large apples
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (480 milliliters)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (240 milliliters)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup milk (120 milliliters)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (60 milliliters)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spices and Leavening:

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, ensuring complete coverage to prevent adhesion.
  2. Meticulously peel, core, and dice apples into uniform small cubes for consistent flavor distribution.
  3. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl, whisking until perfectly blended and lump-free.
  4. Using an electric mixer, cream sugar and butter for approximately 3 minutes until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency.
  5. Introduce eggs individually into the butter-sugar blend, mixing completely after each addition to create a smooth, homogeneous batter.
  6. Integrate milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, stirring until wet ingredients form a silky, cohesive mixture.
  7. Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet components, maintaining the batter’s lightness and avoiding excessive mixing.
  8. Incorporate diced apples throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution for balanced flavor in every bite.
  9. Carefully pour batter into prepared pan, using a spatula to level the surface and eliminate air pockets.
  10. Bake for 45-50 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge with minimal crumbs.
  11. Allow cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  12. Serve at room temperature, optionally garnishing with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for optimal texture and balanced sweetness in the cake.
  • Toast the diced apples briefly in a skillet with a touch of butter to enhance their caramelized flavor and reduce excess moisture before adding to the batter.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
  • Boost the cake’s moisture by replacing some vegetable oil with applesauce, which adds natural sweetness and creates a more tender crumb without compromising the cake’s structure.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 245
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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