Fresh Apple Cake

Fresh Apple Cake

12 servings
You'll love this easy sheet cake recipe for tender and moist fresh apple cake. The pictures above include a few photos of the cake with a dusting of 2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners' sugar and some include a buttery brown sugar glaze. The glaze recipe is included below.

Ingredients

  • all-purpose flour

    spooned & leveled

    2 ½ c
  • baking powder
    2 tsp
  • baking soda
    ¾ tsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • ground cinnamon
    2 tsp
  • ground nutmeg
    ½ tsp
  • each ground ginger & allspice
    ¼ tsp
  • vegetable oil
    1 c
  • granulated sugar
    1 c
  • packed light or dark brown sugar
    ½ c
  • unsweetened applesauce
    1 c
  • eggs

    at room temperature

    4 large
  • pure vanilla extract
    1 tsp
  • orange juice
    2 tbsp
  • peeled chopped apples

    1/2-inch chunks, about 2–3 large apples

    3 c
  • unsalted butter
    ¼ c
  • packed light or dark brown sugar
    1 c
  • heavy cream
    ½ c
  • pinch of salt
  • confectioner’s sugar

    sifted

    ½ c

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

  2. 2

    Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice together in a large bowl. Set aside.

  3. 3

    Whisk the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange juice together in a medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Fold in the chopped apples until combined. It will seem like a lot of apples and that’s ok!

  4. 4

    Pour and spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 45–50 minutes. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on it. Around the 30-minute mark, loosely tent with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  5. 5

    Remove the cake from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before topping or serving.

  6. 6

    Right before serving, you can top the slightly warm cake with a dusting of 2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners’ sugar or make the brown sugar glaze in the next step.

  7. 7

    As the cake cools, prepare the brown sugar glaze. Combine the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter has melted, and then stop stirring and let the mixture come to a rapid boil. Boil for 1 minute. Turn the heat down to low, give it a quick stir, and let simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and whisk in the sifted confectioners’ sugar. Allow glaze to cool and slightly thicken for at least 20 minutes. Spoon glaze over the cake right before serving. (Cake can still be warm when glazing.) If your glaze thickened up too much as it cooled, warm in the microwave for 15 seconds and stir until smooth.

  8. 8

    The cake (glazed, dusted, or plain) can be served warm or at room temperature. Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you topped with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, note that the sugar will melt and disappear into the cake after a few hours.

Fresh Apple Cake

Fresh Apple Cake

120 min12 servings

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About this Recipe

Craving a slice of comforting, tender apple cake that feels homemade but is surprisingly easy to bake? This Fresh Apple Cake recipe is your new go-to for a moist, flavorful dessert that brings warmth to any occasion.

What makes this fresh apple cake truly shine is its perfect balance of textures and flavors. We've combined the natural sweetness and moisture of unsweetened applesauce and fresh chopped apples with a carefully selected blend of warm spices and two types of sugar for a deeply satisfying, incredibly tender crumb. It's an easy sheet cake that delivers on sophisticated flavor.

Prepare for an apple cake that delivers on both comfort and flavor. Each bite offers a wonderfully moist, tender crumb packed with soft chunks of fresh apple, brightened by a hint of orange. The aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice will fill your kitchen, promising a delightful treat. While delicious on its own with a simple dusting of confectioners' sugar, the optional buttery brown sugar glaze elevates it to an even more decadent experience, adding a rich, sweet counterpoint to the fruity cake.

This versatile fresh apple cake welcomes your personal touch. Feel free to experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith for a tarter contrast, or Honeycrisp for extra sweetness, ensuring they're peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch chunks. You can adjust the spices to your preference—a little extra cinnamon or a touch less allspice works beautifully. For the glaze, you can use either light or dark brown sugar for a slightly different caramel note.

Perfect for a cozy weekend treat, a potluck, or a celebratory dessert, this Fresh Apple Cake is always a crowd-pleaser. Serve it simply dusted with confectioners' sugar, or elevate it with the rich brown sugar glaze for an extra touch of indulgence.

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