This Apple Cake recipe is from a reader and is a gem of a find! The cake is really moist, perfectly spiced, and studded with tender pieces of fresh apple. The batter is incredibly fast to make with just a wooden spoon – no electric mixer required!
Dozer got in so much trouble over this Apple Cake.
This is how the usual routine goes down: He’s technically not allowed into the kitchen – albeit my house is open plan so strictly speaking, it’s hard to have a clear boundary that he needs to stay out of. But when I shoo him away, he is generally pretty good about taking himself off into the yard to chase rabbits, bark at birds or whatever other important contribution he’s making to make this world a better place.
But the minute whatever I’m making is ready and I take it to the area where I shoot my photos, he comes dashing inside.
“Dashing” is honestly the word. He doesn’t walk or lope. He dashes at a very fast paced trot, his heavy footed paws thudding through the house making the wooden floor shake (really, he does).
And that’s when he becomes a real nuisance. Because I’m concentrating on taking photos, I don’t always manage to catch him in the act of photo-bombing.
Case in point: Dozer photobombed EVERY SINGLE photo of this cake being dusted with icing sugar. 🙄
THAT CHEEKY BUGGER!!!
See look. Here he is AGAIN. And again. And again. GRRRRR!!!!!
So I apologise profusely to all those who find it a real turn off to see a DOG in food photos, but my bottom can’t afford for me to make this ridiculously delicious Apple Cake yet again just so I can get one single shot (I just wanted ONE!) of me dusting the Apple Cake without Dozer in the background.
OK, now I’m done stomping my foot over Dozer ruining my photos, a quick word on this Apple Cake recipe: It’s crazy easy and fast to make the batter, it’s made with FRESH apples (won’t work with canned, cake is not as moist), and it really is beautifully moist.
This easy Apple Cake recipe was given to me by the lovely Dorothy in Tennessee in the US. It was meant to be, because I had just shared an Apple Cake disaster on Instagram then a couple of days later, she shared this recipe with me (without having seen my epic failure!). I tried it once, twice, three times, then I decided I had to share it here because it is that good and that easy!
– Nagi x
More afternoon tea favourites
Cinnamon Swirl Bread – easy, no yeast!
Cheese, Herb and Garlic Loaf or Zucchini Cheese Loaf– quick bread, no yeast
Blueberry Lemon Loaf with Lemon Glaze or Blueberry Lemon Yoghurt Cake
Savoury Cheese Muffins or Cornbread Muffins (personal fave😇)
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Easiest Ever MOIST Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour , plain / all purpose (Note 1)
- 3/4 tsp baking soda (bi-carb soda) (Note 1)
- 3/4 tsp EACH salt, cinnamon and ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (or 1/4 tsp freshly ground)
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar (Note 2)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs , large, at room temperature (55-60g/2oz each)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups apple , peeled, cored and cut into 8mm/ 1/3" cubes (~2 large, 3 small) (Note 3)
Optional Extra
- 1/2 cup flaked raw almonds
- Icing sugar . confectioners sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types).
- Grease and line a 21 cm / 9" springform cake pan. (Note 4)
- Place flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
- Whisk oil and sugar in a bowl, then whisk in eggs and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a wooden spoon until JUST combined. Stir through apple (optional: add 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or other nuts).
- Pour into cake pan. Sprinkle over almonds.
- Bake for 50 minutes – 1 hr. Check at 50 minutes – it is cooked when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar if using, then serve. This cake doesn’t need cream or ice cream because it is so moist, but I wouldn’t turn it down!
Recipe Notes:
2 1/2 cups sugar (I reduced to 2 cups)
3 eggs, beaten
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups sifted flour
1 tsp EACH baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves
3 cups peeled and chopped fresh apples
1 cups chopped nuts (I use walnuts) 5. Measures – Cups and teaspoons are slightly different in size between some countries. For most recipes on RecipeTin Eats, the difference is not large enough to matter or is relative throughout the recipe. For recipes where the difference does matter, different measures are provided for different countries, like in this Soft Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. For this Apple Cake, the measures per the recipe can be used no matter which country you are in except Japan. If you are in Japan, please do not use cups, use the weight measures provided. OVENS: I have a fan forced / convection oven but have made this in a standard / conventional oven too. I found that this recipe works better using the same temperature no matter which oven type you have. The only difference is the cook time – fan forced is ready at 50 minutes, standard oven is ready at 60 minutes. But no matter which oven you have, check your cake at 50 minutes. If your oven is weak, it may take over 1 hour for the skewer to come out clean. 6. Nutrition per serving, assuming 12 servings.
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Well! After telling you how naughty he was while I photographed this Apple Cake, I’m not sure he deserves to be featured in his own section on this post…..
But who am I kidding. I can never stay mad at him.
Here he is “minding” the Apple Cake as it cooled. Just minding it. No cheeky thoughts running through that furry head, I’m sure….
Amazing recipe!very simple to make and very filling!!! Thank you so much for this
How do you think this would do as cupcakes? How many do you think this recipe would yield?
Another great recipe from Nagi. Very easy to make.
Made just a couple of variations:
– half wholemeal / half plain flour ,
– brown sugar
-added almonds
-mixed the vanilla and cinnamon in with the eggs, oil and sugar.
Will make again soon.
Hi Yvonne, try this recipe here: https://promotown.info/brown-sugar-apple-muffins/%3C/a%3E N x
This was the best apple cake I’ve ever had. Incredibly moist and very easy. I used pecans in the batter. Everyone raved over it! Definitely making again. Have tried many of your recipes. Everyone has been delicious! Keep them coming!
Thanks so much Lynne, I love hearing this! N x
Made this with my five year old. It’s moist and scrumptious! Thanks for another delicious recipe. 🙂
This cake is so delicious!
Quick and easy to make. Made it
many times and never had a failure.
So easy and good! Everyone asked for the recipe! I loved how easy and flavorful it was!!
Hi there, Yesterday I made your apple cake, I used brown sugar as that’s all I had,and allspice plus nutmeg. Walnuts and almond S. It was a bit crumbly, but delicious. Not too sweet. I didn’t put icing sugar on top. Thank you, definitely make again.
This is the BEST apple cake I’ve ever had! So easy, moist and delicious. Thank you for sharing!
I didn’t have any cloves so used allspice instead….awesome ❤
This is the BEST apple cake I’ve ever had! So easy, moist and delicious. Thank you for sharing!
I didn’t have any cloves so used allspice instead….awesome ❤
Made a gluten free version, substituting “Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF Baking Flour.” Kept all measurements the same. Turned out EXCELLENT. Thank you
That’s great to hear Lesly!! N x
Hi. This is one of my favorite cakes. I made this many times. Do you think I can use Bramley Apples (cooking apples in UK) ? Thanks for the great recipes always!!
Nagi, this recipe is absolutely delicious! I have made it few times now, and is absolutely a family favourite:)
ok this apple cake looks uhmaaaaazing! Will have to add it to a Fall “list.” But seriously I laughed out loud at your story about Dozer. The details are hilarious and so are all of the pics…including the last one of him looking so somber. This is the hardest I’ve laughed all day. Thank you!😊
As always absolutely awesome recipe.
This cake is freaking awesome! So moist and easy to make. Mine baked perfectly in 50 minutes in a regular oven. Reduced cloves to 1/4 teaspoon because I am clove-sensitive and bumped vanilla up to 2 teaspoons. Definitely a keeper! Thanks! 😊
Hi Nagi, is it ok to use a standard round cake pan or is the springform tin needed?
Hi Cony, I just find a springform easier to use to be able to get the cake out nicely. N x
This cake is delicious – I substituted mixed spice for the ground cloves and cinnamon. Very straightforward recipe and I will certainly use it again.
Absolutely the BEST apple cake ever!! I’ve made it a few times now and it always turns out perfectly. Even my son who doesn’t like cake’ (weird I know) loves this cake. It’s now my go to recipe for any occasion – thanks Nagi, your a genius 🤗😄
I had already cooked some past it apples in the weekend and then started thinking about a spiced cake. I used your recipe and it was just scrumptious. I used pecans. I’ve never had a fail with your recipes!! Always easy to make and super tasty. Thanks
I’ve made this a few times, using up different types of apples, and it’s always so delicious and moist. I use avocado cooking oil, which is a bit expensive to use 1.5 cups of, so I’ve always used half butter, half oil. It’s perfectly moist and stays that way for days (if it doesn’t get eaten in the first day!).
Perfect Ashlee!! N x