Apple cakes are a popular choice for homemade treats. They bring a comforting sweetness that’s perfect for many occasions. This post shares three great apple cake recipes you can easily make.
You can choose from a classic apple fritter cake, a moist apple honey cake, or a tasty apple streusel cake. Get ready to bake a wonderful apple dessert!
Jump to Recipe:
Delicious Apple Fritter Cake Recipe
This Apple Fritter Cake brings all the beloved flavors of a classic apple fritter into an easy cake form. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert, offering a wonderful taste without the fuss of frying.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Apple Fritter Cake
- Sweet Apples: Use firm apples like Gala or Honeycrisp for best texture. They hold their shape well when baked in this cake.
- Brown Sugar Swirl: Don’t skip the brown sugar and cinnamon swirl; it creates those classic fritter pockets of flavor throughout the cake.
- Simple Glaze: A straightforward powdered sugar glaze makes this cake extra special and adds lovely moisture to the top.
What You Need for Apple Fritter Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for swirl)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or water (for glaze)
How to Make Apple Fritter Cake
Step 1: Get Ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This helps the cake come out easily.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Gently fold in the chopped apples.
Step 3: Add Swirl & Bake
Pour half of the batter into your prepared pan. Sprinkle with about half of the brown sugar. Add the remaining batter, then sprinkle with the rest of the brown sugar. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Glaze It
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. While it’s cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk/water for the glaze until smooth. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the warm cake.
📝 Final Note
Store this apple fritter cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for longer freshness. It tastes great warmed up!
Moist Apple Honey Cake Recipe
This Apple Honey Cake is wonderfully moist and sweet, perfect for celebrations or a cozy afternoon treat. The honey adds a beautiful flavor and helps keep the cake tender and delicious.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Apple Honey Cake
- Good Honey: Use a good quality honey, as its unique flavor will really shine through in this cake.
- Shredded Apples: Shredding the apples helps them blend seamlessly into the batter, ensuring a very moist and evenly flavored cake.
- Warm Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg are wonderful with apples and honey, adding a warm, comforting feel to the cake.
What You Need for Apple Honey Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 medium apples, shredded (Fuji or Gala)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
How to Make Apple Honey Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan & Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or a 9×13 inch baking pan. Make sure the pan is ready for your batter.
Step 2: Mix Batter Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, granulated sugar, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined and smooth.
Step 3: Add Apples & Bake
Gently fold in the shredded apples and the optional chopped walnuts. Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan.
Step 4: Finish Baking
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before carefully removing it and serving.
📝 Final Note
For an even easier mix, warm your honey slightly before adding it to the wet ingredients. This makes it flow better and combine smoothly with the other liquids.
Easy Apple Streusel Cake Recipe
This Apple Streusel Cake is a lovely balance of soft cake, tender apples, and a crumbly, sweet streusel topping. It’s a wonderful choice for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon coffee break with friends.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Apple Streusel Cake
- Cold Butter: Make sure your butter for the streusel is cold and firm. This helps create that delightful crumbly texture for your topping.
- Apple Variety: Use a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, for a more complex and interesting apple flavor in your cake.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the cake batter until just combined. Overmixing can make your cake tough, and we want a tender, light result.
What You Need for Apple Streusel Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, chopped (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)
- For Streusel:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
How to Make Apple Streusel Cake
Step 1: Make the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare Cake Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, mix the milk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just blended.
Step 3: Layer & Bake
Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Arrange half of the chopped apples over the batter, then sprinkle with half of the streusel topping. Repeat this layering with the remaining batter, apples, and streusel.
Step 4: Finish Baking
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack before serving.
📝 Final Note
A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a beautiful finish and a little extra sweetness to your apple streusel cake.