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!
Psst: Not ready to heat up the kitchen? These Apple Nachos are the perfect way to enjoy a sweet apple treat that’s so easy and so delicious.
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 an old fashioned Fresh Apple Cake in the cake stand on the kitchen counter. It was like a decoration in her kitchen except 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 taste is like an apple crisp and 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?
(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details)
Ingredients:
- 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)
Supplies:
- 10-inch (12 cup) round bundt pan
- Electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or hand mixer and large mixing bowl)
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.
- Bake in preheated oven 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!
What Are the Best Apples to Use?
I tend to think the best apples to use for an apple cake are Granny Smith apples because it keeps things from getting too sweet. Jazz and Envy apples also bake well. You can feel free to use your favorite baking apples. After all, it’s cake. It will taste amazing.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover Fresh Apple Cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To reheat, wrap apple cake in aluminum foil and reheat in a 325 degree oven for about 8-10 minutes.
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 this Fresh Apple Cake, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 
I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Fresh Apple Cake Recipe
- 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!
Best apple cake ever!!! I used coconut oil and definitely will use again in this cake!! So very tender, moist, and flavorful!! Love the little crunch on the outside!! Would give it a 10 * rating if available!!! Thank you for sharing this out standing recipe!!!
Hi, Ximena! YAY! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it so much! Thank you for sharing.
I have made this cake 7 times in the past 2 months. Everyone raves about it! It stays moist till the last crumb. I will definitely try more of your recipes. Thank you. Merry Christmas from one of your biggest fans!
Hi, Griselle! That’s amazing. I’m so happy you enjoy it so much! Merry Christmas!
I made this for a potluck at church. the batter was so thick, I had to finish mixing it with a spoon, I. started mixing it in my stand mixer. is there something I can add so the batter isn’t as thick? it did taste amazing.
Hi, Mary! The batter for this cake *is* very thick and it’s supposed to be! It’s why I suggest using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. It needs pretty sturdy tools to get the job done.
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!