This Fresh Apple Cake is an unbelievably moist cake that’s loaded with chunks of tart apples and crunchy pecans. One slice and you’ll be begging for more!
The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree
When it comes to baking with apples, my family has three go-to recipes that we love to make and are always a hit at family gatherings: My Mom’s Special Apple Pie, my Great Aunt Ina’s Apple Dumplings and my Great Aunt Ruthie’s Fresh Apple Cake recipe. I honestly don’t know what I would do if all three were on the dessert table at once. Just kidding, I would, without a doubt, take a generous serving of all three!
Watch Me Make Fresh Apple Cake
Step into the kitchen with me as I make a delicious Fresh Apple Cake.
The Champion of Apple Cakes
I can’t remember a time when I showed up at my Great Aunt Ruthie’s house and there wasn’t a Fresh Apple Cake in the cake stand on the kitchen counter. It is like a decoration in her kitchen except for she probably has to bake one every other day given how fast we “kids” can devour it.
Unbelievably moist and loaded with chunks of tart Granny Smith apples and crunchy nuts, this is the champion of apple cake recipes. The texture is divine! One slice and you’ll be begging for seconds. It’s a big cake that’s simple to make. Full of fresh, apples, sweet coconut and crunchy pecans (walnuts would work, too!), just the right amount of spice, making it a fabulous autumn dessert. So fresh and so fabulous and full of fall flavors!
What Do I Need to Make Fresh Apple Cake?
- Oil (vegetable, canola or coconut)
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Pecans
- Shredded sweetened coconut
- Apples (use your favorite baking apples, I used Granny Smith)
- 10-inch (12 cup) round bundt pan
How to Make Fresh Apple Cake
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch (12 cup) round bundt pan. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the vegetable oil and sugar. Add the large eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined.
- With the mixer on low speed, add in the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon until the wet ingredients and dry ingredients are well combined.
- Stir in the pecans, coconut and fresh apples. Batter will be thick. Spread batter evenly into prepared cake pan and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a long wooden pick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
- Invert pan on wire rack until cake drops out. You might want to tap the bottom of the pan with a knife a few times to loosen the cake and make sure it came out in one piece. Slice and enjoy! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream and you won’t surely regret it!
More Fall Baking
No need to wait for the leaves to start dropping to enjoy My Favorite Recipes for Fall Baking! From perfectly-spiced pumpkin bread to pecan pie bites and savory corn bread, you’re sure to fall for these autumn treats!
If you make Fresh Apple Cake and post a pic to social, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Fresh Apple Cake
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Yield: 15
- Category: Dessert
Description
An unbelievably moist cake that’s loaded with chunks of tart apples and crunchy pecans. Once you have your first slice, you’ll be begging for more!
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups oil (vegetable, canola or coconut)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 3 cups peeled and chopped apple (use your favorite baking apples, I used Granny Smith)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch (12 cup) round bundt pan. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the oil and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined. With the mixer on low speed, add in the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon until well combined. Fold in the pecans, coconut and apples. Batter will be thick. Spread batter evenly into prepared cake pan and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a long wooden pick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Invert pan on wire rack until cake drops out. You might want to tap the bottom of the pan with a knife a few times to loosen the cake and make sure it came out in one piece. Slice and enjoy!
I had some apples that I needed to use up. I did a quick Pinterest search and came across this cake recipe. I will definitely be making this again. I made mine in mini bundt cake pans. About the size of a large muffin. I adjusted the bake time to 40 minutes. They came out perfect. Just the right amount of crunch on the edges and completely soft on the inside.
At first I thought I misread the recipe because of how thick the batter is… so if this is you, do not worry. It’s very thick. More like a cookie dough.
I also used my mixer dough hook to “fold” in the apples, coconut and pecans. It worked well.
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe! It was definitely a great find!
Thank you! Unfortunately, I don’t have any coconut, so I added a little water to make it stick together more. It’s almost done cooking now, and it looks fine, but I’ll just have to see how it tastes! Thanks again!
Revision: The batter is crmbly, but it sticks together if you press it. It tastes fine, except it tastes like it has a lot like oil. I’m at a high altitude, but I’m not sure if that would make a difference.
Hi Saige! The shredded coconut is a necessary addition and contributes to the texture of the cake. It adds a lot of moisture. The pecans can be left out.
I made this today and it’s DEEElish! It was a very thick batter and I worried if I folded the nuts, coconut, and apples in evenly, but it turned out fine. I also thought about making a glaze for it, but after trying out a slice, realized it was perfect as is! Loved the recipe. So glad I stumbled upon it on Pinterest. Happy baking!
Yay! So happy you loved it as much as we do! 🙂
Hi! I was wondering if these could work as cupcakes? And if so, around how many would it make?
Hi Gabby! I haven’t baked this recipe into cupcakes yet, but I think they would turn out great. The baking temperature will be the same, but the time will be reduced…maybe start checking after 15-20 minutes. I’m guessing it would make 14-18 cupcakes. Enjoy!
I have made this twice and indeed the cake is delicious! Both times I made it, the outer crust is pretty crusty/stiff and the inside kinda drops I guess you could say. So I still trying to figure that out but other than that it is so tasty!!! Great recipe! ????
This was so good! A wonderful cake for a cold ,damp Fall day. The family loved it, thank you for posting! I am going to make again for Thanksgiving 🙂
I’m so glad you baked and loved it, Judy! It’s a family fave, especially in the fall. Perfect for Thanksgiving!
I made this cake exactly as stated. The batter was perfect, but 325 was too low a temp. It was still incredibly undercooked. I’m at a very low elevation. Should/can I do this at 350 for the same amount of time?
Hi Aleshia! Yes, you can bake it at 350, but if it starts to brown too much on the top as it’s baking, I would cover it with foil and let it continue to bake until the middle is done.
This sounds delicious! I can not wait to try it. I think it will make a great cake for my mom’s birthday next month, she loves apple desserts.
Hi! Can I use Gala apples?
Hi Alexandra! Yes, Gala apples would work great in this recipe. Enjoy!
It’s baking in the oven now but the batter was very thick. Is there any liquid missing from the ingredients? I’m hoping the juice from the apples is what makes it moisten in the oven as it bakes. So far, not sure about this recipe (I followed it to the letter).
The batter should be thick and moist (see pic in post). How did it turn out?