Apple Cake Recipes | 5 Classic Homemade Apple Cakes
These apple cake recipes bring together five classic, home-style bakes—from a quick cake-mix apple crumb cake to spiced applesauce cake and a traditional layered apple cake. Each one is simple, cozy, and built around warm spices and tender apples.
Use the jump links to pick a cake style, then follow the ingredients and steps below. Most are excellent served slightly warm with whipped topping or ice cream.
A simple 5-ingredient shortcut cake layered with cinnamon-tossed tart apples and a crisp, buttery cake crumb crust.
⏱️ Bake Time: 50 mins🍳 Pan: 8×8-inch Cake Pan
Ingredients
1 yellow cake mix
2 tablespoons brown or white sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
5 tart apples (peeled and sliced)
1/4 lb butter or margarine (melted)
Baking Instructions
🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F
Toss the sliced apples with sugar and cinnamon until fully coated.
Sprinkle about 1/4 of the dry yellow cake mix directly over the spiced apples and toss lightly.
Pour the apple mixture into a greased 8×8-inch baking pan and bake for 30 minutes.
In a separate bowl, mix the remaining dry cake mix with the melted butter until large, coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle these evenly over the partially baked apple base.
Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is beautifully browned. Serve warm with fresh cream or whipped topping.
🍏 Apple Blossom Cake
A rich square snacking cake loaded with chopped peanuts, vanilla, fresh fruit, and a blend of warm baking spices.
⏱️ Bake Time: 40-50 mins🍳 Pan: 8-inch Square Pan
Ingredients
3/4 cup cooking oil
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1 1/2 cups chopped apples
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
Baking Instructions
🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F
Thoroughly combine the cooking oil, sugar, and egg in a bowl and mix well. Fold in the vanilla, chopped peanuts, and diced apples.
Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Add the sifted dry components directly into the wet batter mix and blend completely until smooth.
Pour the finished cake batter into a well-greased 8-inch square baking pan.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve topped with whipped cream if desired.
🥮 Spiced Apple Pound Cake
A dense, incredibly moist bundt cake infused with spiced apple yogurt and covered with a warm cinnamon-milk glaze.
⏱️ Bake Time: 60-65 mins🍽️ Yield: 10-12 Servings🍳 Pan: 9-Cup Mini Bundt Pan
Ingredients
Cake Batter:
2 1/4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter or margarine (softened)
1 carton (8 oz) spiced apple yogurt
3 large eggs
Cinnamon Glaze:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Chopped pecans (optional)
Baking Instructions
🌡️ Oven Temp: 325°F
Combine all primary cake batter ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Blend at a low speed to incorporate, then beat for 3 full minutes at medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Pour the thick batter into a well-greased and floured 9-cup mini bundt pan.
Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until the top bounces back when lightly touched with a finger.
Cool the cake inside the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert and remove from the bundt structure.
Prepare & Apply Glaze: Whisk the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and cinnamon in a small bowl until fluid and smooth. Drizzle evenly over the cooled cake and top with chopped pecans if desired.
🥧 Applesauce Cake
An aromatic, deeply spiced old-fashioned spice cake sweetened with raisins and real applesauce.
⏱️ Bake Time: 1 Hour🍳 Pan: 8×8-inch Pan
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 stick margarine
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce
1 cup raisins
Baking Instructions
🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F
Cream together the sugar and margarine until completely soft. Whisk in the egg and mix until smooth.
Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg together in a medium bowl.
Gradually beat the dry spiced flour mix directly into the wet creamed foundation.
Gently fold in the applesauce and whole raisins until evenly distributed.
Pour into a prepared 8×8-inch baking pan and bake for approximately 1 hour.
🧁 Classic Apple Cake
A tall, traditional showstopper featuring alternate layers of thick sweet citrus batter and fresh cinnamon-sugar apples.
⏱️ Bake Time: 1 Hour🍽️ Yield: ~10 Servings🍳 Pan: 9–10 inch Angel Food Pan
Ingredients
Citrus Batter Base:
3 cups flour
1 cup oil
4 large eggs
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Apple Layer Seasoning:
4 fresh apples (peeled and thick-sliced)
5 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Baking Instructions
🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F
Mix the flour, oil, eggs, baking powder, 2 cups of sugar, orange juice, and vanilla in a large bowl until the consistency is smooth. Note: The resulting cake batter will be quite thick.
In a separate medium bowl, gently toss the thick-sliced apples with 5 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
In a prepared 9–10 inch tube/angel food pan, spread a base layer of batter, then arrange half of the seasoned apple slices. Repeat the process with a middle layer of batter and the remaining apples, then finish with a clean top layer of batter.
Bake for approximately 1 hour. Cool completely before cutting, and serve topped with freshly whipped cream if desired.
Apple Cake FAQ
What type of apples work best for apple cakes?
Tart apples like Granny Smith or firm baking apples work well because they hold their shape and balance the sweetness of the cake.
Do I need to peel the apples?
Most recipes work best with peeled apples for a softer texture, but leaving some peel on is fine if you prefer.
Can I substitute applesauce for fresh apples?
Some recipes use applesauce (especially spice cakes), but fresh apples add more texture and flavor in chunk-style or layered apple cakes.
How should apple cake be stored?
Store covered at room temperature for 1–2 days, refrigerate for longer freshness, or freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
Can these apple cakes be served warm?
Yes—many apple cakes are great slightly warm with whipped cream, ice cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
