Few desserts feel as warm and comforting as a freshly baked apple cake. With its soft, tender crumb, juicy apple chunks, and beautifully golden top, this classic homemade apple cake is the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and brings everyone to the table. Simple, rustic, and packed with real fruit flavor, it’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
This apple cake recipe combines fresh apples with a light, buttery batter that bakes into a moist and fluffy texture. Each bite delivers sweetness from the fruit and a delicate richness from the cake itself. The top develops a slightly crisp, golden crust while the inside stays soft and tender, creating the perfect balance of textures.
Whether you are baking for family gatherings, holidays, or just a cozy weekend at home, this easy apple cake is always a crowd-pleaser. It uses basic pantry ingredients and requires minimal preparation, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced bakers.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cake
This cake stands out because of its simplicity and natural flavor. It does not rely on heavy frosting or complicated decorations. Instead, the apples are the star of the recipe. As they bake, they soften and release their juices into the batter, keeping the cake moist and flavorful.
Another great benefit is versatility. You can serve it warm, cold, plain, or topped with cream. It works equally well as a dessert or a sweet snack. Plus, it stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop.
The texture is soft yet slightly dense, similar to a classic European-style fruit cake. It slices cleanly and holds its shape, making it perfect for sharing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
How to Make Homemade Apple Cake
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined.
In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a smooth batter forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Next, add the diced apples to the batter and fold them in evenly. The apples should be well distributed throughout the mixture.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This helps the structure set and makes cutting easier.
Tips for the Best Apple Cake
Choose firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. They hold their shape during baking and add a pleasant texture.
Do not cut the apple pieces too small. Slightly larger chunks create juicy pockets of fruit inside the cake.
For extra flavor, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking or add chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds to the batter.
Let the cake rest before serving. The flavors deepen as it cools.
Serving Suggestions
This apple cake is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it with simple toppings. Serve warm slices with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce for a comforting dessert. For breakfast or tea time, enjoy it plain with coffee or milk.
It also pairs well with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a classic bakery-style finish.
Storage
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to five days. You can also freeze individual slices for longer storage. Simply reheat before serving.
This easy homemade apple cake delivers soft texture, rich flavor, and comforting sweetness in every bite. Once you try it, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to baking recipes.