There’s something magical about baking with apples. The sweet-tart aroma fills your kitchen, and each bite of warm, spiced apple cake feels like a hug on a plate. Apple cake is the perfect dessert for cozy afternoons, tea parties, or even as a breakfast treat with a cup of coffee.
Imagine slicing into a golden-brown cake, seeing juicy chunks of apples studded throughout, and tasting the subtle warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg. Every bite is moist, tender, and bursting with flavor, it’s comfort food that never goes out of style.
Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or treating yourself, this apple cake recipe is easy to follow and yields bakery-quality results right at home.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your favorite variety)
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch
For the Glaze (Optional):
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp apple juice or milk
Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk and spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9-inch round cake pan or 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
How to Make Apple Cake
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 175°C / 350°F. Grease your baking pan and line with parchment paper for easy release.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This ensures even spice distribution and prevents clumping.
3. Cream Butter & Sugars
In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy and pale. This gives the cake a light, tender texture.
4. Add Eggs & Vanilla
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract to infuse the batter with warmth and aroma.
5. Combine Wet & Dry
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, overmixing can make the cake dense.
6. Fold in Apples (and Nuts)
Gently fold in the chopped apples (and nuts if using). The apples add moisture, natural sweetness, and bursts of flavor throughout the cake.
7. Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45–55 minutes (9-inch round) or 50–60 minutes (9×13-inch), until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The kitchen will fill with the irresistible scent of baked apples and spices.
8. Cool & Optional Glaze
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. For extra flair, mix powdered sugar with apple juice or milk to make a drizzle glaze and pour over the cooled cake. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips for Perfect Apple Cake
Choose the Right Apples – Tart or firm varieties hold their shape and balance the sweetness.
Room Temperature Ingredients – Helps the batter blend smoothly and rise evenly.
Don’t Overmix – Keeps the cake light and tender.
Add a Crunch – Walnuts or pecans complement the soft texture and add flavor depth.
Spice It Up – Cinnamon and nutmeg can be adjusted to taste for a more warming, aromatic cake.
Fun Variations
- Caramel Apple Cake – Drizzle caramel sauce on top for indulgence.
- Apple-Cranberry Cake – Add dried cranberries for a tart-sweet twist.
- Apple & Ginger Cake – Mix in fresh or powdered ginger for a zesty kick.
- Mini Apple Bundt Cakes – Bake in mini bundt pans for individual servings.
Apple cake is more than just a dessert, it’s a warm hug in cake form. Moist, flavorful, and perfectly spiced, it’s ideal for family gatherings, holidays, or quiet evenings with a cup of tea.
Making this cake from scratch lets you control the sweetness, spice, and texture, and the fresh apple chunks give it a naturally moist, delicious bite that store-bought mixes can’t touch. Every slice is a celebration of simple ingredients turned into something extraordinary, a classic treat that never disappoints.
