Irresistible Homemade Apple Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet afternoons call for a delightful homemade moist apple cake recipe that melts in your mouth.

Apples picked fresh from local orchards bring incredible depth to this classic dessert.

Each slice promises a tender crumb bursting with warm cinnamon and seasonal fruit.

Bakers love how simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary.

The kitchen fills with irresistible aromas that signal comfort is moments away.

Crisp autumn afternoons become magical with this delectable treat waiting on the counter.

You’ll want to slice into this cake and savor every single bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 9

What You Need For Apple Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake, provides structure and ensures a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Magical leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and airy.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that infuse the cake with cozy, autumnal flavors and aromatic depth.
• Salt: Enhances all other flavors and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Brings richness and creates a smooth, velvety texture in the cake.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens the cake and contributes to its golden, caramelized exterior.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a complex, sweet flavor that complements the apples and spices.
• Greek Yogurt, Milk: Introduce moisture and create a tender, soft cake crumb.

• Apples: Choose crisp, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor contrast.
• Chopped Nuts: Optional add-in that provides delightful crunch and nutty complexity to the cake.
• Powdered Sugar, Caramel Sauce: Elegant finishing touches that elevate the cake's presentation and taste.

Tools For Apple Cake Baking

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
• 9-inch round or square cake pan: Crucial for baking the apple cake to the right shape.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities for perfect results.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.
• Cutting board and knife: Used for dicing apples and chopping nuts.

Steps To Bake Apple Cake Right

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F. Slather a round cake pan with butter and dust it with flour, making sure every nook is covered.

• Whip Together Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and toss in flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Give it a quick whisk to blend everything evenly.

• Cream the Base

In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Crack in eggs one by one, stirring after each. Splash in vanilla for extra zing.

• Marry the Mixtures

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the creamy base. Splash in yogurt and milk, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t go crazy with mixing.

• Invite Apples to the Party

Gently stir in diced apples and optional nuts. Make sure they’re sprinkled throughout the batter like treasure.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Slide into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Dress and Serve

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel for a stunning finish.

Apple Cake Tips And Tricks

• Baking Brilliance: Simple tricks to elevate your apple cake game.
• Moisture Magic: Add an extra splash of Greek yogurt or applesauce to keep the cake incredibly moist and tender without making it heavy.
• Spice Sensation: Experiment with different warm spices like cardamom or allspice to create unique flavor profiles that complement the apple's natural sweetness.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make this cake accessible for those with wheat sensitivities. Ensure all other ingredients remain the same for best results.
• Vegan Transformation: Replace eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and choose dairy-free milk alternatives to create a completely plant-based version of this delightful dessert. The texture will remain wonderfully soft and delicious.

Serving Apple Cake With Style

• Autumn Harvest Brunch: Slice the warm apple cake and serve alongside crispy bacon and a hot cup of cinnamon coffee for a cozy weekend morning feast.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair thin cake slices with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts, perfect for an elegant afternoon tea gathering.
• Dessert Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning dessert display by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a warm slice, then drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
• Gifting Goodness: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper with a rustic twine bow, making charming homemade gifts for neighbors or friends during fall season.

Store Apple Cake The Right Way

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your apple cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping its moisture and softness intact. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Freezing Fresh Goodness: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain texture and flavor.
• Moisture Maintenance Trick: Place a slice of bread in the storage container to help keep the cake soft and prevent drying. Replace the bread slice every 24 hours if storing for multiple days.
• Serving Temperature Perfection: For best taste, enjoy the cake at room temperature. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to fully develop and texture to soften naturally.

Moist Apple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic apple cake recipe brings warmth from traditional German kitchens to your table. Fragrant spices and tender apples create a comforting dessert that connects generations through simple, heartfelt baking.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger (optional)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 medium apples)
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Caramel sauce for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Generously butter and flour a 9-inch pan, creating a non-stick foundation for the apple-infused cake.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl, developing a fragrant and structurally sound base for the cake.
3. Flavor Foundation: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, then methodically integrate eggs and vanilla, building a rich, smooth batter with complex flavor profiles.
4. Batter Composition: Gradually blend the spiced flour mixture with yogurt and milk, folding gently to maintain a delicate crumb and prevent overmixing.
5. Final Assembly: Gently incorporate diced apples and chopped nuts throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution of fruit and potential textural elements.
6. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for 45-50 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick test.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Rest cake in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Complete cooling and finish with a delicate powdered sugar dusting or indulgent caramel drizzle before serving.

Notes

• Choose Ripe Apples: Select firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for optimal texture and balanced sweetness in the cake.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss freshly diced apples with a splash of lemon juice to maintain their bright color and prevent oxidation during preparation.
• Master Gentle Mixing: Fold ingredients with a light hand to avoid overmixing, which can develop tough gluten and result in a dense, heavy cake texture.
• Temperature Precision: Allow ingredients like eggs and butter to reach room temperature before mixing, ensuring smoother incorporation and more consistent baking results.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg