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 1x
- 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
- 1–1/4 cups oil (vegetable, canola or coconut)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1–1/2 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 & 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!
Outstanding Apple Cake!!! I cut the recipe in half and it made it in a 9×9 pan. Love the crunch on the bottom of the cake. The cake was moist and tender. I made one pan for a meeting and it was devoured. Made a second one for the house. It is now a go to recipe!! Thank you for sharing this recipe. A must try if you haven’t tried it yet!!!
★★★★★
Hi, Rae! Yay! I’m so happy to hear that everyone loved it.
I make this cake often. It is definitely one of my very favourites! Slices warmed in the toaster oven get a little crispy on the edges; next level tasty!!
★★★★★
Hi, Julie! I’m so glad you love it!
Made this cake several times. Son in law really likes it. We have a yearly pie supper to help with up keep of cemetery. I will be making this apple cake. They call it a pie supper, but whatever we make it gets sold. Thank you
★★★★
Hi, Debbie! I love to hear that you make this apple cake! I hope your pie supper is a success. Enjoy!
Can I leave out the coconut? Thanks
Hi, LaVerne! The coconut actually plays a role in the moisture, texture and sweetness of the desired results of this recipe, but you can leave it out as it will still bake up nicely. Hope this helps, enjoy! ❤️
I made this exact recipe and mine turned out too salty tasting and I can’t figure out what I did wrong. I did the exact measurements this recipe calls for. Please help?!?
Oh, goodness! I’ve never had mine turn out salty. I can only guess that perhaps you used salted pecans? Hope this helps. ❤️
I’m looking for a sugar free/gluten free recipe. Could sugar and flour substitutes be used?
Hi, Cindy! I’m afraid I am no expert on that. It might be easier to find a sugar/gluten free recipe than to try and modify this one as I cannot say how it will bake up.
best apple cake..made it a few times..always good….my go to apple cake
★★★★★
Hi, Lyn! Oh, thank you! I love hearing that you enjoy it.
Will this still be fresh enough to serve the next morning if taken to work?
Hi, Corrinna! I think if you wrap it in plastic wrap tightly, it should still be delicious!