31 Apple Cake Recipes We're Eating All Fall Long (2024)

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31 Apple Cake Recipes We're Eating All Fall Long (1)Katie BandurskiUpdated: Aug. 01, 2023

    Enjoy fall's favorite fruit in one of these amazing apple cake recipes. We have ideas for upside-down cake, German apple cake, cupcakes and more.

    1/31

    German Apple Cake

    My mother made this German apple cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It’s an excellent choice for a Christmas potluck or actually any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

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    2/31

    Jewish Apple Cake

    A friend from New Hampshire gave me this Jewish apple cake recipe, which took a blue ribbon at the county fair. —Jennie Wilburn, Long Creek, Oregon

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    3/31

    Apple Brandy Pecan Cake

    My favorite apple cake is made with a shot of brandy and drizzled with caramel to set off the wonderful flavors. If alcohol is a no-go, use orange juice instead of apple brandy. If you’d rather go the chocolate route, add mini chocolate chips to the cake and use chocolate ice cream topping for the drizzle. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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    4/31

    TMB Studio

    Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream

    These apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa

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    5/31

    Dutch Apple Cake

    My husband and I came to Canada from Holland more than 40 years ago. This traditional Dutch apple cake is a family favorite and has frequently gone along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario

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    6/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting

    I am a healthy eater most of the time, but this apple spice cake is worth the splurge! Every year I treasure the opportunity to make my own birthday cake, and I choose this. You can add a cup of raisins to the batter before baking if you'd like. —Jennifer Owen, Louisville, Kentucky

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    7/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple Cranberry Upside-Down Cakes

    Cornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington

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    8/31

    Apple Stack Cake

    My mom loved to bake this sky-high apple stack cake. Layer the apple goodness two days before serving. Later, a dusting of confectioners' sugar is the only topping you'll need. —LeVa Clement, Jackson, Missouri

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    9/31

    Slow-Cooker Apple Pudding Cake

    A satisfying dessert like this is a superb treat on a chilly night. It has three layers—apples, cake and sauce—and I like to serve it in a bowl. It's comfort food for the soul. —Ellen Schroeder, Reedsburg, Wisconsin

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    10/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple Coffee Cake

    Tart sour cream flavors this moist apple cinnamon coffee cake covered with brown sugar and crunchy nuts. The yield is two pans, so you can serve one and freeze the other for a busy morning or unexpected company. —Dawn fa*gerstrom, Warren, Minnesota

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    11/31

    Aunt Lou's Fresh Apple Cake

    My Great-Aunt Lou made a luscious fresh apple cake recipe that became a family tradition. My mom makes it for our annual beach trip to the Outer Banks. —Cristy King, Scott Depot, West Virginia

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    12/31

    Cran-Apple Praline Gingerbread

    Start with a spice-rich batter poured atop apples and cranberries in a creamy caramel sauce, then invert when done baking for a topsy-turvy dessert that’s a real beauty. The old-time apple cake will delight family and friends! —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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    13/31

    Apple Butter Cake Roll

    This is a new take on a pumpkin roll. Her spicy gingerbread cake might make you think back fondly to Christmas at Grandma's! —Debbie White, Williamson, West Virginia

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    14/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple Fritter Cake

    I was experimenting with a beer bread to make it into a dessert and came up with this delectable apple fritter cake. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington

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    15/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple-Walnut Cake with Orange Glaze

    I tinkered with a plain apple cake recipe to create this moist, delicious winner. The result: old-fashioned goodness with a heavenly aroma! This cake is the perfect fall treat or holiday dessert, but it’s also great as a special breakfast or brunch item. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

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    16/31

    Taste of Home

    Sparkling Cider Pound Cake

    This apple cake is incredible and completely reminds me of fall with every bite. Using sparkling apple cider in the batter and the glaze gives it a delicious and unique flavor. I love everything about it! —Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah

    17/31

    Apple Gingerbread Skillet Cake

    This gingerbread recipe came from my grandmother, and we always ate it with warm applesauce. I adapted it into a one-pan dessert by layering the apples around the bottom of a cast-iron skillet and topping them with the gingerbread batter. The skillet creates a wonderfully thick crust on the gingerbread. —Mary M. Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina

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    18/31

    Easy Apple Cake

    After testing many apple cake recipes with fresh apples, I found this old-fashioned easy apple cake that is moist, dense and down-home delicious. Even better, it’s quick to fix, and when it’s served warm with whipped cream or a dollop of frozen custard, it’s one of my family’s very favorites. —Sherry Ashenfelter, Waterville, Ohio

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    19/31

    Apple Pear Cake

    When my sister Catherine made her apple cake for me, I knew I needed the recipe. For my version, I added some pears from the trees on our acreage. The resulting apple-pear cake is so moist and tastes so good. Now every time I make it, people want my recipe. —Mary Ann Lees, Centreville, Alabama

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    20/31

    Butterscotch Apple Cake

    "My family often requests this easy old-fashioned cake for get-togethers—especially in the fall," writes Beth Struble from Bryan, Ohio.

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    21/31

    Apple-Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake

    We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California

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    22/31

    Oma's Apfelkuchen (Grandma's Apple Cake)

    My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to "Grandma’s apple cake." They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio

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    23/31

    Taste of Home

    Caramel Apple Cupcakes

    Bring these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

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    24/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple Cinnamon Cake

    This apple cinnamon cake is equally good for breakfast or dessert, so be sure to not eat all of it after dinner! Easy to make, it's super moist on the inside and has a crispy, cinnamon-rich crunch on the outside. —Marideane Maxwell, Albany, Georgia

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    25/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple Pear Coffee Cake

    A friend gave me this apple pear coffee cake recipe to make for a breakfast I was hosting. The pan was empty before the breakfast was over! It's one of my most-requested recipes, probably because it's a bit different. —Joanne Hoschette, Paxton, Massachusetts

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    26/31

    Taste of Home

    Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump Cake

    This quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. My surprise ingredient of white cheddar cheese enhances the wonderful filling. —Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana

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    27/31

    Applesauce Spice Cupcakes

    I began making these moist cupcakes in grade school and still bake them today. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

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    28/31

    Old-Fashioned Stack Cakes

    My grandmother has always fixed these at Christmas and they are the first thing everyone asks about. "Where is the stack cake?" The super thin layers are what make this recipe stand out...delicious! —Stephanie Gilbert, Whitesburg, Kentucky

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    29/31

    Chunky Apple-Cinnamon Cake

    This is a nice change from apple pie. It's tasty and worthy of a special occasion—plus, it’s very easy to make. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, New York

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    30/31

    Taste of Home

    Swedish Cream Apple Rings

    My mother made this classic coffee cake for every important holiday… Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Now, I carry on the tradition. As I make them, I remember my mom, who was a lot like this recipe: soft and tasteful but full of surprises. The overnight rise let’s you make the dough in advance so your morning won’t be hectic. —Heather Hood, Hillsboro, Oregon

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    31/31

    Taste of Home

    Spicy Applesauce Cake

    This picnic-perfect apple cake travels and slices very well. With chocolate chips, walnuts and raisins, it’s a real crowd pleaser. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington

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    Originally Published: August 25, 2020

    31 Apple Cake Recipes We're Eating All Fall Long (32)

    Katie Bandurski

    As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.

    31 Apple Cake Recipes We're Eating All Fall Long (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the best apples for baking apple cakes? ›

    Probably obvious, but the type of apple you bake with will affect the flavor and texture of your cake! Most recipes recommended Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for a heartier texture that will hold up for a longer bake time. (MacIntosh are notoriously soft if you prefer that texture!)

    Why did my apple cake fall? ›

    This is because too much batter in one cake tin may result in the weight of the batter being too much for the cake to support, causing the cake to collapse and sink in the middle as it bakes. This is especially true for cake recipes which have a more softer, delicate structure to them, which many of my cake recipes do.

    What is a substitute for butter in apple cake? ›

    Condensed milk is very rich and acts as a substitute for the butter. It also works as a binding agent because of its sticky texture. If you need a dairy free alternative, you can try sweetened condensed coconut milk.

    What 4 apples are best used for baking? ›

    For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

    What color apples are best for baking? ›

    Green apples are usually the favorite when it comes to cooking and baking, as they are tarter and add a more balanced flavor than sweet red apples (and you can always add extra sugar to the recipe to make up for the sweetness).

    Can you leave apple cake out overnight? ›

    You can leave this cake at room temperature in an airtight container for about 2 to 3 days. If left uncovered, it may dry out more quickly, so it's best consumed within 1 to 2 days. You can also store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to extend its life to about a week.

    How do you keep apples from sinking to the bottom of a cake? ›

    The best way to avoid sinking fruit is to toss the fruit in a couple of tablespoons of the flour (just use some from the measured amount for the recipe) to coat it lightly. Once added to the cake mixture the flour coating will thicken the batter immediately surrounding the fruit and help suspend the fruit.

    How do you moisten a dry apple cake? ›

    Yes, you can add water to make a dry cake moist. One way to do this is to brush the cake with a simple syrup made of equal parts sugar and water. Another way is to poke holes in the cake and pour a mixture of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk over it.

    What do bakeries use instead of butter? ›

    WHAT ARE BUTTER ALTERNATIVES FOR BAKING?
    • MARGARINE. Margarine is a fat that is made mostly from vegetable oil that's flavored to taste like butter. ...
    • SHORTENING. Shortening is 100% fat, made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. ...
    • OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL. ...
    • COCONUT OIL. ...
    • PUMPKIN PURÉE. ...
    • APPLESAUCE. ...
    • GREEK YOGURT. ...
    • BANANAS.

    Can you use applesauce instead of apple butter? ›

    But when it comes down to it, both applesauce and apple butter can often be exchanged in baking recipes — especially when used as a replacement for some of the butter, oil, or eggs. Try this in our No Butter Choco-Chip Cookies or Yummy Applesauce Bread.

    Can I use crisco instead of butter? ›

    In general, you can substitute Crisco shortening for butter or margarine in equal amounts (1 cup Crisco shortening = 1 cup butter or margarine). Not only does Crisco shortening have 50% less saturated fat than butter and 0g trans fat per serving, it gives you higher, lighter-textured baked goods.

    What is the best cooking apple for cakes? ›

    Granny Smith is a go-to apple for baking. It has a tasty, tart flavor and stands up well under heat, always holding its shape. You might also consider the super-sweet Fuji apple or the mild-sweet Golden Delicious. They also hold their shape well when baked and add perfect sweetness to this decadent cake.

    What is depression cake made of? ›

    Depression cake
    A modern chocolate depression-style cake.
    Alternative namesMilkless Eggless Butterless Cake, Boiled Raisin Cake, War Cake
    TypeCake
    Place of originUnited States
    Main ingredientsFlour, apples or pears, raisins or prunes, spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg), nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)

    What is firefly cake? ›

    This has a layer of our Chocolate truffle cake and a layer of our sour cream pound cake covered and filled with our signature caramel icing.

    Can you use honeycrisp apples for baking? ›

    Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

    What is a good substitute for Granny Smith apples? ›

    Braeburn

    As part Granny Smith, the Braeburn apple brings the same great qualities to a recipe, but it's slightly sweeter. The reddish, pink exterior with streaks of yellow and green also makes for a pretty presentation.

    What is a substitute for golden delicious apples? ›

    Jonagold. Jonagold apples are a cousin of Golden Delicious and they have some of the same pretty golden hues in their skin. They're a nice mix of sweet and tart, so they work well on their own in a pie. The firm-fleshed apple is a great choice for baking in all forms.

    What apples are best for baking or canning? ›

    The best varieties for canning apples are crisp, not mealy, types. Some of the best apples for canning include Fuji, Braeburn, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Jazz, Honeycrisp, and Cortland.

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