If you’re dreaming of a dessert that captures everything you love about apple season, this Fresh Apple Cake just might become your new go-to. Packed with juicy apples and warm spices, every bite is ridiculously moist thanks to a clever mix of oil and applesauce. The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, and whether you serve it warm or cool, plain or dressed up, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Trust me, this Fresh Apple Cake is the kind of classic you’ll look forward to making all year long.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Fresh Apple Cake comes from a handful of pantry staples and a few special touches. Each ingredient plays its own starring role, working together to create a cake that’s tender, lush, and bursting with real apple flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its soft, sturdy crumb and holds all that juicy apple together beautifully.
- Baking soda: Ensures your cake rises just right, staying light and not overly dense.
- Salt: A little goes a long way to boost those warm, earthy flavors in every bite.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the cake with cozy, unmistakable fall flavor.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle spice and depth that takes the apple flavor up a notch.
- Vegetable oil: Makes the crumb stay extra moist, even after a few days.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Doubles down on apple flavor and keeps the cake tender without extra fat.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and adds that classic cake texture.
- Light brown sugar: Delivers caramel notes and extra softness.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and help with that beautiful structure.
- Pure vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, irresistible aroma to round out the sweetness.
- Fresh apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith): The true stars—choose tart-sweet varieties for the perfect balance of flavor and moisture.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a bit of crunch and toasty flavor—totally up to you!
How to Make Fresh Apple Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and make sure it’s well greased—this helps your Fresh Apple Cake come out with ease once it’s baked, and creates those lovely crisped-up edges everyone loves.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mixing these first ensures you get an even distribution of those aromatic spices and leavening, so every slice of cake is perfectly seasoned and rises beautifully.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, unsweetened applesauce, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. This mixture should be smooth and cohesive, creating the rich backbone of your Fresh Apple Cake and setting the stage for irresistible texture.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually add your dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until you don’t see any more flour streaks. You want everything well blended without over-mixing—this keeps your cake tender, not tough.
Step 5: Fold in Apples and Nuts
Gently fold in the finely chopped fresh apples and, if you’d like, your walnuts or pecans. Those apple pieces melt right into the batter, delivering little bursts of flavor and moisture, while the nuts offer delicious crunch in every bite.
Step 6: Pour and Bake
Spread the batter evenly in your greased pan, smoothing out the top so it bakes up uniform. Slide it into the oven for 40 to 45 minutes—when the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean, your Fresh Apple Cake is ready to shine! Let it cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing.
How to Serve Fresh Apple Cake
Garnishes
A Fresh Apple Cake is wonderful as is, but for a little extra flair, try a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it downright dreamy. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of toasted nuts on top adds even more texture and flavor.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs perfectly with a mug of coffee or tea, making it an ideal afternoon treat or a cozy dessert after dinner. For an autumn-inspired brunch, serve slices alongside yogurt and fresh fruit for a well-rounded, seasonal spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Dress up your Fresh Apple Cake by cutting it into neat squares and serving on a pretty platter for potlucks. Try baking it in a bundt pan for an elegant twist—just remember to increase the baking time a bit. You can even turn leftovers into parfaits layered with whipped cream and extra apples for a showstopping trifle!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your Fresh Apple Cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The apples and applesauce keep it deliciously moist day after day, making it an easy make-ahead dessert.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap slices individually or store the whole (completely cooled) cake in heavy-duty foil and a zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months; simply thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Reheating
To refresh that just-baked warmth, microwave individual slices for about 15 seconds, or place them in a low oven for 5 to 10 minutes. The cake stays moist, so the texture is always crowd-pleasing—whether you serve it warm, at room temp, or chilled.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of apple for Fresh Apple Cake?
Absolutely! While Honeycrisp and Granny Smith are favorites for their balance of sweetness and tartness, feel free to experiment with Fuji, Gala, or even a mix. Just stick to firmer, tart-sweet varieties for the best texture and flavor.
What can I use instead of walnuts or pecans?
If nuts aren’t your thing, simply leave them out—your Fresh Apple Cake will be just as tasty. For added crunch, you could mix in sunflower seeds or even a handful of rolled oats.
Can this cake be made gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute a high-quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Everything else in the recipe remains the same, so you’ll still have a moist, fragrant cake everyone can enjoy.
Should I peel the apples?
For best texture, peeling the apples is recommended—especially since they’re finely chopped and meant to almost melt into the cake. If you love a little extra rustic feel and fiber, you can leave the skins on, but expect a slightly different texture.
Can I make Fresh Apple Cake ahead of time?
Definitely! This cake keeps beautifully for days, so it’s a reliable make-ahead dessert for holidays or gatherings. Just wrap it well and store as directed; it stays moist and flavorful for up to 3 days at room temperature or even longer in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a dessert that’s simple yet totally showstopping, you can’t go wrong with Fresh Apple Cake. I hope you’ll give it a try and find it as irresistible as I do—whether you bake it for family, friends, or just to treat yourself, it’s sure to become a beloved favorite on your baking list!
Print
Fresh Apple Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of fall with this Fresh Apple Cake recipe. Moist and packed with apples and warm spices, it’s a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Additional:
- 3 cups peeled and finely chopped fresh apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the oil, applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Blend Batter: Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, then fold in the apples and nuts if using.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40–45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan before serving as desired.
Notes
- Use tart-sweet apples for the best flavor and texture.
- This cake stays moist for days and is perfect for fall gatherings.
- You can also bake it in a bundt pan—just increase the bake time by 10–15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
