FABULOUS. So simple to prepare, this easy apple cake will leave them asking for the recipe. So delicious you won’t believe you did that.
It is apple season, and I needed to do an apple recipe. Apple cake sounded good, but I wanted an old fashion apple cake. I copied from the best, my wife. She pointed me to her own recipe in the “Holmes School Cookbook.” I guess it is from the mid-80’s. It used only things we all have on hand, so I used that as a model. Excellent.
I cooked it unsupervised by the author, so I slid in a few minor changes. First, I cut it in half. This is “cooking for two” and a 9X13 cake is a bit much for the two of us. Second, I doubled the cinnamon. I love cinnamon. But my biggest sin, I shredded the apples. Sometimes when I use diced fruit, I end up with steam pockets but also I wanted to release the juice more. She wanted chunks of apple goodness. Take your choice or do some of both.
My Rating
The easiest 5 of the year. So much better than you think it could be. Maybe the recipe of the year.
Recipe Notes for Easy Apple Cake
This is a smaller cake. If doubling, then use a 9X13 cake pan. Cooking time may be increased slightly. Get out your toothpicks. But most recipes for 9X13 also call for 45 minutes at 350.
The apple type is up to you. Almost any apple will do. While we are talking about the apples, I shredded the apples to release the juice some. My wife wants them diced. Maybe some of both.
Topping. I sprinkled with a little sugar. If you want ultra-sweet, then a glaze of powder sugar and a little milk would be good. But that might be sugar overload.
Sticking. Even in a non-stick pan with butter and flour, there is some sticking. This is one of those recipes where parchment paper on the bottom of the pan would be good.
Preheat oven to 350 with the rack in the middle. Prep a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and flour.
Dice or shred two medium apples.
Mix all ingredients well and move to prepared pan.
Sprinkle with about a tablespoon of sugar.
Bake until toothpick comes out clean. About 45 minutes.
Cool before serving.
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Easy Apple Cake from Scratch
Ingredients
- 2 apples - medium or large, shredded or diced
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup walnuts - chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon sugar - optional for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 with the rack in the middle. Prep a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and flour.
- Dice or shred two medium apples.
- Mix all ingredients well and move to prepared pan.
- Sprinkle with about a tablespoon of sugar.
- Bake until toothpick comes out clean. About 45 minutes. Cool before serving.
Recipe Notes
Have a question or something not clear? Ask in the comments.
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Nutrition is for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
If you like this recipe or find it useful, the pleasure of a nice 4 or 5 rating would be greatly appreciated.
I'm DrDan and welcome to my blog. You will find delicious easy everyday recipes mostly for smaller households. Please look around and enjoy your visit. 
Kelly
January 11, 2019 at 7:26 pmMy husband tried this while I was out for the day . He thought it said baking “powder ” not baking soda . It was the best apple cake I have ever had !!!! It probably raised more , but it sure did not do anything to the flavor .. Not sure as that is the only way we make it now . Thank you , so easy & sooo good !!!!
DrDan
January 11, 2019 at 7:43 pmHi Kelly,
Welcome to the blog.
This recipe is an old one from my wife’s family. They tend to use baking soda. I prefer baking powder myself, you probably had a better rise. I will try it next time and see if my wife notices.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
Margaret
October 29, 2018 at 10:57 pmThis easy Apple Cake gets a five star rating from both my husband and myself. I followed the recipe as is and it turned out so super moist and delicious. It definitely is a keeper, but next time I am going to try and reduce the sugar a bit. Thanks for such a great little cake recipe!
Laura Childs
October 14, 2018 at 10:03 amThe BEST apple cake ever! So simple and so delish. The cake itself is very moist and full of apple flavor. For the spice , I use apple pie spice according to my taste but that was the only modification I made. Thanks for this recipe is going to become one of my go to’s!
Laura
CharlieCarrah
November 10, 2016 at 7:28 pmA really quick and easy cake — not to mention delicious! I substituted all of the oil with home-canned cinnamon applesauce and it was fantastic! I diced the apples and I also used 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and added 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves and ground allspice. It needed an additional 5 minutes of baking and it was baked in an 8″ x 8″ glass dish. While still warm, we topped it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Definitely a keeper!
DrDan
November 12, 2016 at 1:09 pmHi Charlie, thanks for the comment. I have done this one several more times already with various combinations. I’m convinced you can modify this many ways and it will still be excellent.
DrDan
October 20, 2016 at 11:26 pmHi Angela,
Thanks for the note and especially the trial of substituting in the applesauce for half the oil. I have been planning a repeat cooking doing that exact substitute. Now I can do the Apple Fritter Bread instead…
Dan
Angela Saver
October 20, 2016 at 11:14 pmThis cake is amazing!!!! I doubled the recipe & baked it in a 9×13-inch pan. I also only used 1/2 c. Oil & then substituted 1/2 c. Applesauce for the other 1/2 c. Oil. My family LOVES it! Thank you for an awesome cake that we will make over & over again! Definitely a keeper!
Justine
October 9, 2016 at 9:25 pmThis cake is delicious and super easy to make!! But just wondering if it’s possible to cut the 1cup of sugar by half as well as the amount of oil without much change to the result of this cake? Also wondering if it can be frozen.
DrDan
October 10, 2016 at 10:25 pmHi Justine,
Thanks for the note. It is usually ok to sneak sugar down a little. But cutting in half is a lot unless the apples are very sweet. The oil really is needed, or you will have a marked effect on the texture. You can experiment with substituting applesauce or yogurt but I have not done it with this recipe so proceed at your own risk.
They should freeze well.
Dan
John
October 8, 2016 at 12:10 amWould this be good 2 days after baking? I’m looking for a desert to bring to a saturday tailgate, but would have to make it on Thursday.
DrDan
October 8, 2016 at 7:01 amAlmost but not quite as good.
Dan