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Home » Recipes » Cake Recipes

Apple Cake Recipe

Published: Oct 14, 2020 · Modified: Nov 16, 2024 by Chef Dennis Littley

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When the weather turns cooler, my thoughts turn to apples and my buttery apple cake recipe ….sigh.

Completed apple cake recipe on white plate with slice taken out.
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • Ingredients
  • What kind of apples should I use?
  • Can I use canned or frozen apples?
  • Do I have to use apples in this cake?
  • How to Make an Apple Cake
  • CHEF DENNIS TIP
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Apple Cake Recipe

Audio Player



 

It’s a cake I’ve enjoyed for as long as I can remember. It was first introduced to me as an Italian Apple Cake and after a few changes to the recipe the results were a this moist delicious cake that’s easy to make and easy to adapt to the fruits you have on hand.

And the best part about this cake is it only takes two-thirds a cup of flour to make.

Ingredients

Ingredients required to make the recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make a Buttery Apple Cake. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

What kind of apples should I use?

Whenever anyone mentions baking and apples, the first thought turns to Granny Smith. It may be sacrilege, but I don’t like those apples. And because I’m baking for my family I use the kind of apples I like. Feel free to use your favorite apple for this cake.

These are the varieties of apples I use for baking:

  • Gala
  • Fuji
  • Honeycrisp
  • Pink Lady
  • Winesap
  • Jonathon

Can I use canned or frozen apples?

Yes you can. I’ve never used canned apples for this cake, but I’m pretty sure they would work. I just wouldn’t cook the canned apples in butter, just use them straight from the can (without any extra juice).

Do I have to use apples in this cake?

No, you don’t. This is a very forgiving cake recipe and can be used with a variety of fruit. These are some of my favorites.

  • Pineapple
  • Mango
  • Peach
  • Blueberries
  • Pears

**You don’t have to cook berries or stone fruit for this cake, but any firmer fruits like pineapple or pears would benefit from sauteing with butter. You can also mix different fruits together if you don’t have enough of any one variety.

How to Make an Apple Cake

Follow along with my easy instructions to see how to make an apple cake in your own kitchen.

Sauteed apples in a large pot.

The first step is melting the butter for the cake. Reserve six tablespoons of butter for the batter, using the rest to saute the apples.

Add the apple chunks to the pan and cook until tender over medium heat, 7-10 minutes. Remove the apples from the pan and allow to cool.

**Don’t remove any of the butter that may be left in the pan

Bowl of egg mixture and bowl of flour mixture.

While the apples are cooling, prepare the ingredients for the apple cake.

  • In a small bowl mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
  • In a large bowl beat the whole eggs and egg yolks until blended. Add the butter, sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest.
Large mixing bowl with all the ingredients added.

Add the flour mixture and sauteed apples to the egg mixture, mix just enough to blend in the flour.

Cake batter in prepared pan.

Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. The batter may seem a little loose, but trust me, as long as you follow my recipe, it will turn out great.

CHEF DENNIS TIP

Add parchment to the bottom of the pan before you add the batter. It will be much easier to remove the finished cake from the pan.

Fully baked apple cake in pan.

Bake until the cake is golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.

Don’t expect this cake to rise very much. There isn’t enough flour vs butter in the cake to get much of a rise. I use standard 9-inch baking pans. An 8-inch cake pan will give you a taller cake. 

Buttery apple cake on white platter.

Invert the cake onto a plate to remove the pan, and then invert again on your serving dish.

A slice of cake with whipped cream on a plate.

Serve warm from the oven with a sprinkle of confectioner sugar, whipped cream, or ice cream.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of apples should I use for an apple cake?

Traditionally, everyone suggests Granny Smiths for baking. Personally, I don’t like them. I suggest using Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Winesap, or Jonathon.

Why isn’t there much flour in this cake?

It’s not a high-rising cake and needs less flour than you might think. Trust the recipe, and it will be a moist, delicious cake!

Can I use canned or frozen apples to make this cake?

Yes, you can. I’ve never used canned apples for this cake, but I’m pretty sure they would work. I just wouldn’t cook the canned apples in butter; just use them straight from the can (without any extra juice).

More Recipes You’ll Love!

While you are making cakes, try my delicious carrot cake recipe or some of the ones below.

  • pineapple butter cake with whipped cream sitting on a white plate with strawberry on a brown background
    Pineapple Butter Cake Recipe
  • slice of jewish apple cake on a white plate
    Jewish Apple Cake
  • Kentucky butter cake sliced showing inside of cake.
    Kentucky Butter Cake
  • white bowl of apple crisp with ice cream next to whole red and green apples
    Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp

slice of buttery apple cake topped with whipped cream on a white plate

Apple Cake Recipe

Chef Dennis Littley
It's apple season and you won't find an easier or more delicious recipe for an Apple Cake. Whether you serve it for dessert, breakfast or as an afternoon snack it's sure to bring smiles to your table!
5 from 112 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 Inch cake pan
  • offset spatula

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 ounces unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 3 large Gala apples cut into chunks (feel free to use your favorite apple). – about 4 cups
  • ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 large whole eggs plus 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (if you like a less sweeter cake cut the sugar back to ¾ of a cup)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

Instructions
 

  • preheat the oven to 375º. Butter and flour a 9” round cake pan.
    Place a piece of parchment in the bottom of the pan.
  • In a large frying pan over low heat, melt all of the butter, reserve 6 tbs for later use.
  • Add the apple chunks to the pan with the remaining melted butter and cook until tender over medium heat, 7-10 minutes.
  • In a small bowl mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
  • In a large bowl beat the whole eggs and egg yolks until blended. Add the reserved 6 tablespoon of butter, sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest.
  • Stir in flour mixture and sauteed apples (leave out any butter left in the pan). Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
  • Bake until the cake is golden brown, about 30-35 minutes. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool in pan for 5 minutes.
  • Invert the cake onto a plate to remove the pan and then invert again on your serving dish.
  • Serve warm from the oven with a sprinkle of confectioners sugar, whipped cream or ice cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 166mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 467IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 112 votes (64 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Amy Liu Dong says

    October 22, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    This cake recipe of yours looks really delicious and I am so excited to make this for my birthday celebration. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Leslie says

    October 20, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at “buttery cake”. Haha! This looks beyond amazing! Great dessert recipe to try for the fall!

    Reply
  3. Lesli Schwartz says

    October 20, 2020 at 10:08 am

    5 stars
    This apple cake looks so moist and delicious! I have a bunch of apples that need to be used up, so I’ll be trying out your recipe!

    Reply
  4. Stine Mari says

    October 20, 2020 at 4:58 am

    5 stars
    You had me at the first word of this recipe, butter is so good in almost anything. In Norway we usually add raw slices of apples in the batter before baking it, but I LOVE this idea of cooking them first!

    Reply
  5. Kasy Allen says

    October 19, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    You always deliver delicious recipes and this one is definitely on our list to make this week! Yum!

    Reply
  6. Christina says

    October 19, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    5 stars
    yum!!

    Reply
  7. Lilly says

    October 18, 2020 at 10:25 pm

    5 stars
    I used Gala, Honeycrisp, and Fuji, it was delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  8. Kerri says

    October 18, 2020 at 7:34 pm

    5 stars
    Chef, this is amazing! I’ve been craving an apple cake and this just pushed me over the edge!

    Reply
  9. Terra @ Terra's Bites says

    October 18, 2020 at 7:17 pm

    5 stars
    I just went and bought apples for this reason. Thank you!

    Reply
  10. Magali says

    October 18, 2020 at 12:24 am

    5 stars
    This is so scrumptious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  11. Marla says

    October 16, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    I just returned from a road trip to upstate New York! Great recipe! An excellent idea for all these fresh apples I brought home with me!

    Reply
  12. Sue says

    October 16, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    Cake for breakfast??? Count me IN!!!

    Reply
  13. Emily says

    October 16, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    This apple cake was so amazing!! I can’t wait to make it again!

    Reply
  14. Laura says

    October 16, 2020 at 11:06 am

    5 stars
    Best when served right out of the oven. So tasty with ice cream.

    Reply
  15. Michele says

    October 16, 2020 at 8:51 am

    5 stars
    An easy and delicious way to enjoy the bounty of fresh apples in fall.

    Reply
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My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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