Apple Pie Cake Recipe
If you love both apple pie and classic cake, Apple Pie Cake is about to steal your heart. Imagine everything you adore about spiced apple pie—soft, juicy apples, cinnamon warmth, a whisper of nutmeg—wrapped up inside a fluffy, tender cake. It’s the ultimate marriage of nostalgia and comfort, bringing together two desserts that never fail to please a crowd. Whether you serve it warm after dinner or sneak a celebratory slice with your morning coffee, this is a swoon-worthy treat you’ll come back to all year round!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of familiar ingredients for this Apple Pie Cake, but each one brings something special to the table. From the tart zing of fresh apples to the cozy hug of brown sugar, these essentials work together for the perfect texture and classic fall flavor.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The sturdy backbone of your cake, giving it a tender yet stable crumb.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Adds beautiful lift for a light, fluffy slice.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Reacts with the sour cream for extra rise and a soft texture.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Brightens up all the sweet and spicy notes with just a pinch.
- Ground cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Lends that unmistakable, cozy aroma and classic apple pie taste.
- Ground nutmeg (½ teaspoon): Brings depth and a little nutty warmth—don’t skip this tiny but mighty spice!
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup): Ensures richness and a moist crumb throughout the cake.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens every bite and helps give the cake its soft structure.
- Brown sugar, packed (½ cup): Adds a hint of molasses flavor and extra moisture.
- Large eggs (2): Hold the batter together and make the cake plush and springy.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the spice and apple notes with sweet fragrance.
- Sour cream (1 cup): Gives the cake its luscious, impossibly tender crumb.
- Peeled and diced apples (2 cups, about 2 medium apples): The star of the show—choose tart apples for the best pop of flavor.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts, optional (½ cup): For a nutty crunch in every bite—totally up to your taste!
How to Make Apple Pie Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F, setting the stage for aromatic magic. Generously grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish—this ensures your Apple Pie Cake lifts out beautifully later, with no sticking or sad crumbled corners. It’s a little step that makes a big difference!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blending these first guarantees even distribution, so every forkful has that perfect, spiced balance—no pockets of flour or spice surprises.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step aerates your batter, setting you up for a soft, pillowy Apple Pie Cake. Don’t rush it—two or three minutes with a mixer really pays off!
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition to keep your batter extra smooth. Pour in the vanilla extract and feel free to pause for a deep whiff—it’s the aroma of cozy baking days.
Step 5: Stir in the Sour Cream
Sour cream goes in next and brings so much tenderness to the cake. Mix until the batter is uniformly silky; it’ll look a bit thick, but that’s just what you want for a dense-yet-fluffy crumb.
Step 6: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Now, gradually add your whisked dry ingredients into the wet bowl, mixing gently until just combined. Don’t overwork it or you’ll lose that magical, delicate texture. Stop as soon as the flour disappears—lumps are perfectly fine!
Step 7: Fold in Apples and Nuts
Time for the stars! Fold in your diced apples and nuts (if you’re using them), making sure they’re evenly distributed. Every slice of Apple Pie Cake deserves juicy apple pieces and, if you wish, a pop of nutty crunch.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Spoon the batter into your prepared dish and spread it into an even layer—don’t worry, it will even itself out more as it bakes. Slide it into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. It’s ready when a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Remove and let it cool slightly, resisting the urge to dig in immediately (the anticipation is part of the fun)!
How to Serve Apple Pie Cake
Garnishes
Give your Apple Pie Cake a finishing touch with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swoosh of whipped cream on top. A gentle drizzle of warm caramel sauce instantly makes it feel festive. For a hint of color, a light dusting of powdered sugar is delightfully pretty and tasty.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs beautifully with hot drinks like coffee, chai, or an apple-cider latte. If you’re serving it as part of a holiday spread, balance it with fresh fruit or a crisp salad for a refreshing contrast to those warm, cozy spices.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to get playful! Try baking the batter into individual ramekins for personal-sized treats. Serve in rustic wedges on wooden boards for a farmhouse vibe, or layer cubes of Apple Pie Cake with whipped cream in parfait glasses for a show-stopping trifle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, cover the cake well with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. Stored at room temperature, it stays tender for up to two days; in the fridge, it’ll keep for four to five days with no trouble at all.
Freezing
Yes, Apple Pie Cake freezes beautifully! Once cooled completely, wrap pieces tightly in plastic and pop them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and you’re moments away from homemade dessert anytime.
Reheating
To revive leftover pieces, simply microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds, or warm larger portions in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Warming brings back all that tender crumb and lets the apples shine—just as if it were freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! Tart varieties like Granny Smith give bold flavor, but you can also use Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for a sweeter, more mellow twist. Mixing types is fun, too!
Do I have to add the nuts?
Not at all. The nuts are completely optional. If you’re making Apple Pie Cake for a crowd with allergies or nut aversions, simply skip them—your cake will still be amazing.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, you can swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend in place of regular flour. The cake stays moist and delicious with gluten-free flour, though the texture may vary slightly.
What’s the best way to peel and dice the apples?
A classic vegetable peeler makes quick work of peeling. Chop the apples into half-inch cubes so they cook to tender perfection without getting mushy in the batter.
Can I make this cake ahead for a party?
Definitely! Apple Pie Cake is wonderful baked a day in advance. Store it covered at room temperature or in the fridge, then add garnishes just before serving for a dessert that tastes just as fresh as the day you baked it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after pure comfort and classic flavor, this Apple Pie Cake delivers every single time. It’s simple, homey, and packed with juicy apples and warm spice—impossible to resist! Give it a try, share it with someone you love, and make it a new favorite in your dessert line-up.
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Apple Pie Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Apple Pie Cake combines the best of both worlds: the comforting flavors of apple pie in the form of a moist and delicious cake. Perfect for fall or any time of the year!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract. Stir in the sour cream until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the diced apples and nuts if using.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent treat.
- You can use tart apples like Granny Smith for a more pronounced apple flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
