This Apple Cake is the perfect dessert to celebrate the coming of fall, loaded with crisp apples with just the perfect amount of cinnamon and sugar for that sweet treat.
Every year I look forward to the bounty of apples that The Little Apple Tree That Could will bring me.
I swear, it is the happiest apple tree on planet earth.
Last year, when we had an arborist come and give it a much needed, very short haircut 🙂 he told us that the tree likely wouldn’t produce any apples for a few years.
Right…
He apparently didn’t know The Little Apple Tree That Could.
This year, not only did it come back looking fancier than ever after it’s recent trim, but after the first apple picking, which took about 15% of the apples off the tree, it produced a whopping 36 pounds of apples. Gulp.
Apples anyone? Come on over…because I’ve got ’em!
Which, I’m always over-enthused to get apples…, until after I hand peel about 8,000 of them…then I’m calling everyone in the neighborhood to come over and take their fill. 🙂
But, this time…with a very blustery and rainy weekend, making an Apple Cake seemed like a perfectly brilliant idea.
There was something so calming about peeling, slicing and coring the apples while watching the leaves drop listlessly from the leafy trees outside.
And one sink of my teeth into the cinnamon and sugar, apple-filled, moist cake, confirmed my suspicion…Apple Cake really is the perfect dessert to celebrate the coming of fall.
What you’ll love about this Apple Cake is, that it is really moist, but not overly sweet. The sweetness is perfectly flavored by the natural sweet of the apples, a bit of sugar and the ever present cinnamon that every good apple cake should have.
We absolutely loved it, and I know you will too.
The soft texture of the cake, to the snap and crunch of the apples, to the sweet, cinnamon and sugar flavor – all of it screams fall. And how can you not love those beautiful, golden, fall colors?
Simply gorgeous.
Want more apple recipes? How about this Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce, Easy No Waste (Guilt-Free) Apple Juice from Peels & Cores, or these Applesauce Muffins?
Enjoy!
Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 apples
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 5 to 7 tablespoons sugar
- 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup canola oil
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 4 teaspoons vanilla
- 4 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a tubed pan (like an Angel food cake pan). Peel, core and chop apples into chunks. Toss with cinnamon and sugar and set aside.
- Stir flour, baking powder and salt together. In a separate bowl, mix oil, white sugar, orange juice, vanilla and eggs together.
- Combine dry ingredients with wet, and thoroughly mix.
- Pour 1/2 of the batter into the prepared pan. Spread 1/2 of the apples on top of batter. Pour remaining batter over the top of apples, then top with the remaining apples.
- Bake in the pre-heated oven for 1 and 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before loosening with a knife around the edges and removing from pan onto a serving platter.
Apple Cake
Recipe modified from Smitten Kitchen.
Mary Frances says
I’m so glad to come across this recipe. I was thinking of what to make for dessert this long weekend. I shall stock up on apples. Thank you for sharing this with us, Kristi!
Kristi says
Thanks Mary Frances – I think you will love it! It’s so full of wonderful fall flavors!
My Dish is Bomb says
I luuuurve desserts with apples. There’s an apple tree at the restaurant I work at and the chef is always using them in apple pies and they just taste delicious. So much better than store-bought! I love how you layered the apples in with the cake, too!
Kristi says
Oh yum! You’re going to need to get yourself some of those apples and make a pie for yourself! Haha!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
I love this gorgeous cake Kristi! Eeks time to start fall baking, so excited! 😀
Kristi says
Me too Manali – fall is my very favorite time of the year, so I was super excited to break out the apples and the baking gear! 🙂
Culina Sophia says
Gosh the caramelization on the apples looks so divine! I have an extreme weakness for all things cinnamon and this cake looks so deliciously moist too. I’ve got several apple trees at home too so am looking forward to picking them and trying this!
Kristi says
Awesome that you have your own apples. That makes it sssooo much easier (and better too)! Have a great week!
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says
You are so lucky to have an apple tree!! I would be making so many apple recipes haha. This cake looks great, and perfect to celebrate Fall!
Kristi says
I’d love to hear your recipe ideas Kristi – I feel like I have run out of ideas. 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Wow! So delicious and gorgeous looking cake, Kristi. And OMG, caramelization on the apples looks droolicious! I so want to have that cake in my life. YUM!
Kristi says
Haha! Thanks Anu! I wish I had some right now, in fact. 🙂
marcie says
This cake is a vision of loveliness — I can smell it from here, too! There really isn’t a better scent. 🙂 I’m so glad it’s apple season, and this cake needs to happen soon in my kitchen!
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie. I adore the smell of baked apples too. It makes your house smell like a home! I hope you have a fantastic Labor Day weekend! xoxo
ananda says
happy fall Kristi!!! i have been wanting to stop by forever, and it’s already apple season! LOVE your story of The Little Apple Tree That Could!!! and the cake… the topping looks divine, and the orange juice must be your magic touch? yum!! xo
Kristi says
Thanks Ananda! I love use orange juice in baked goods. It adds moisture and it’s own special pop of flavor. Have a great Labor Day weekend.
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Gorgeous cake, Kristi! You are so lucky to have The Little Apple Tree .. 🙂 😉
Kristi says
Isn’t The Little Apple Tree That Could the best? We love it! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Wowza- that is A LOT of apples! Wish I lived in your ‘hood, I would be over in a heartbeat! This cake looks simply perfect! Loving that it is super moist, but not overly sweet! This looks like a great way to usher in the fall! Cheers! 🙂
Kristi says
Hahaha! I wish you lived in my hood too Cheyanne 🙂 I need an apple buddy. My apple tree’s message to you “Will you please be my friend?” Haha!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
This cake looks gorgeous, Kristi! Mmmmm, and caramelized apples looks so divine! I need HUGE slice of this deeeelicious cake! YUM! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Anu. Those apples were so tasty, and the cake super moist. 🙂
Kelly says
Aaw yay, that’s awesome that you have so many apples from your apple tree. That means it’s happy 🙂 I would be too with all the yummy eats you make. Love this apple cake, Krisiti! It looks so tender and delicious!
Kristi says
Ahhhh Kelly – that is so sweet. xoxo. Sorry it took so long to respond, I was not feeling well last week. But, I’m all better now. 🙂
Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says
I love any kind of apple cakes.. so comforting.. my husband’s favorite too
Kristi says
Thanks Ella! This Apple Cake was absolutely amazing. I think you’d love it.
kushi says
That looks so delicious and gorgeous! I am going to try this out soon. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Kushi – it was a great recipe, and I think you’ll love it!
sophia @ little box brownie says
My Sisters favourite, she loves a good apple cake. I’ll have to try this.
proBAKE says
This looks so good! I have been looking for an alternative to apple crisp and I think this may take the cake!