Name: Easy Apple Cake That Belongs in Every Dessert Recipes Collection
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 eggs; 1 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup neutral oil (like sunflower or canola); 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; Pinch of salt; 2 medium apples, peeled and chopped (any kind you love)

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Let’s talk apple cake. Not the kind that requires five bowls, a scale, and a pastry degree. This one’s what I like to call ‘apple magic’—just whisk, fold, and bake. It’s got a golden, crisp edge, a tender, almost pudding-like center, and the kind of warm, cinnamon-kissed apple aroma that makes you forget it’s raining outside—or that it’s Monday. This cake is what I bring to potlucks when I want the container to come back empty. It’s the one my neighbors politely request each fall—then not-so-politely hint at by October. It’s easy enough for a lazy Sunday bake and comforting enough to remind you of your grandmother’s kitchen, without requiring her skill set. Whether you’re craving a Fresh apple cake or looking to turn an Apple Dump Cake into something homemade, this recipe has you. It falls somewhere between Easy Dessert Recipes and a warm hug in cake form. Best apple recipes? I’d vote this one in. It’s one of those Easy Healthy Dessert Recipes you almost feel good about… until you eat three slices. Then it turns into a Caramel Apple Dump Cake dream, no regrets.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Apple Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for Apple Cake
4) How to Make Apple Cake
5) Tips for Making Apple Cake
6) Making Apple Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Apple Cake
8) Try these dessert recipes next!
9) Apple Cake Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This apple cake is quick to make and needs just one bowl
Use any apples you like—Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith
No mixer needed, just a whisk and your favorite spoon
The cake stays soft and gets better the next day

2) Easy Apple Cake Recipe

When I first made this apple cake, I didn’t expect it to become a regular in my kitchen. But here we are. I’ve baked it for neighbors, eaten it cold straight from the pan, and yes, once even for breakfast. No regrets.

It’s part of my favorite dessert recipes now, the ones I turn to when I want to bake something warm and comforting without making a mess. This one delivers every single time. It’s moist, lightly spiced, and loaded with chopped apples that keep things interesting in every bite.

What I like best is that it feels homemade in the best way. No stress, no fancy decorating, and zero pressure to be perfect. The cinnamon works quietly behind the scenes while the apples take center stage. It’s the kind of fresh apple cake that feels nostalgic even if you didn’t grow up eating it.

3) Ingredients for Apple Cake

Eggs bring structure and richness to the batter. They also help the cake rise while keeping the crumb soft. Two is all you need.

Sugar sweetens the cake and gives the edges a nice golden crust. I usually go with granulated white sugar, nothing fancy.

Vanilla extract adds that sweet, mellow base note we all love in baked goods. It rounds out the flavors without being loud about it.

Neutral oil like sunflower or canola keeps the cake tender. Butter might sound tempting, but oil makes this cake softer for longer.

All-purpose flour holds everything together. Just a cup gives you a light, tender crumb without weighing the batter down.

Baking powder gives the cake lift. It’s the quiet achiever that helps your batter rise into a fluffy, golden bite.

Cinnamon is what makes this apple cake smell and taste like fall. I use just enough to warm things up without overpowering the apples.

Salt sharpens the flavors. A small pinch brings balance and makes the sweetness pop.

Chopped apples are the star. I like to peel and chop two medium ones. Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith all work. Use whatever’s rolling around in your fruit bowl.

4) How to Make Apple Cake

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab an 8×8 baking pan and grease it well or line it with parchment if you’re into that sort of thing.

Step 2. In a big bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar. You’re aiming for a pale, frothy mix that looks a little like melted vanilla ice cream.

Step 3. Stir in the vanilla and oil until smooth. This is your wet base. It’s simple and no-fuss, which is the theme of this whole recipe.

Step 4. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix gently until you don’t see streaks of flour anymore. Lumps are fine. Perfection is not the goal here.

Step 5. Fold in your chopped apples. The batter will look thick and chunky, like it’s more apples than cake. That’s exactly right.

Step 6. Spread the batter in the pan. Smooth the top with a spatula if you’re feeling fancy.

Step 7. Bake for about 40 minutes. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs—no wet batter, but not bone dry either.

5) Tips for Making Apple Cake

Use any apples you’ve got, but avoid ones that are too soft. You want a bit of bite in the finished cake. Tart apples like Granny Smith pair well with the sweetness, while Gala adds a honeyed touch.

Let the cake cool in the pan for at least ten minutes. It’s tempting to slice it right away, but the structure improves once it rests a bit. This also lets the cinnamon settle in and bloom in flavor.

This cake works well as a base for a caramel apple dump cake. Add a drizzle of warm caramel sauce over the top after baking and you’ve taken things to the next level—without any extra effort.

6) Making Apple Cake Ahead of Time

This cake holds up beautifully. I often bake it the night before a get-together. Once it’s cooled, I cover it in the pan with foil and leave it at room temp.

The texture actually gets better the next day. The apples settle in, and the crumb softens in the best possible way. It’s a real win for people like me who like to bake ahead and avoid last-minute stress.

If you want to serve this as part of your easy healthy dessert recipes lineup, just skip the caramel topping. It stands on its own just fine and still fits the bill.

7) Storing Leftover Apple Cake

Got leftovers? Wrap them tightly or store slices in a sealed container. They’ll keep on the counter for two days or in the fridge for up to five.

To reheat, pop a slice in the microwave for about fifteen seconds. The cake softens, and the apples get all cozy again. Perfect with coffee or a late-night craving.

This is one of those dessert recipes that holds its own even after sitting around a few days. If you’ve got a scoop of vanilla ice cream nearby, even better.

8) Try these dessert recipes next!

9) Apple Cake Recipe