10 Moist & Delicious Apple Cakes You Need to Try

Hey there, fellow dessert lover! Is there anything better than the smell of apples and cinnamon wafting through your kitchen? These 10 apple cake recipes are your ticket to cozy, crowd-pleasing treats that scream fall (but honestly, they’re good any time of year). Whether you’re baking for a holiday shindig, a lazy Sunday, or just because you deserve a sweet treat, these cakes are easy to whip up, packed with flavor, and—dare I say—moist as heck. Ready to make your taste buds do a happy dance? Here’s the lineup!

1. Classic Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake

This cake is the OG of apple desserts—think warm, cozy vibes in every bite. It’s the kind of recipe that makes your house smell like a bakery and your guests beg for seconds.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith works great)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a Bundt pan like it’s your job.
2. Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set it aside.
3. In another bowl, beat sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Slowly mix the dry stuff into the wet stuff. Don’t overdo it—just combine.
5. Fold in apples and walnuts (if you’re feeling nutty).
6. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 55–60 minutes. Toothpick test it!
7. Let it cool for 10 minutes, then flip it out to cool completely.

Why You’ll Love It

This cake is like a warm hug from your grandma, but edible. It’s stupidly easy to make and stays moist for days (if it lasts that long). Pro tip: Dust with powdered sugar for that bakery look.

2. Apple Spice Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Need to feed a crowd? This sheet cake is your MVP—simple, spiced, and slathered with tangy frosting that’ll have everyone licking their plates.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups shredded apples (about 2 medium apples)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Crank your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Mix flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl.
3. In a big bowl, whisk brown sugar, eggs, and melted butter until smooth.
4. Stir in shredded apples, then add the dry mix. Stir until just combined.
5. Spread batter in the pan and bake for 30–35 minutes. Let it cool.
6. For frosting, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Slather it on the cooled cake.

Why You’ll Love It

The cream cheese frosting cuts through the sweet spice like a dream. I once brought this to a potluck, and it was gone before I could snag a second piece—rude, but flattering. Perfect for when you need a dessert that looks fancy without the fuss.

3. Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

This cake is a showstopper with gooey caramel and apples on top. Who doesn’t love a dessert that flips the script (literally)?

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, divided
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 large apples, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Melt ¼ cup butter with brown sugar in a saucepan. Pour into the pan and arrange apple slices on top.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
4. Beat remaining butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
5. Alternate adding dry mix and milk to the wet mix, stirring gently.
6. Pour batter over apples and bake for 40–45 minutes.
7. Cool for 10 minutes, then flip onto a plate. Serve warm.

Why You’ll Love It

The caramelized apples make this cake look like you spent hours, but it’s deceptively simple. I tried using pears once—big mistake; stick with apples for that perfect balance. Serve with ice cream for extra decadence.

4. Apple Crumble Coffee Cake

Part cake, part crumble, all delicious. This is your go-to for breakfast, brunch, or sneaking a slice at midnight.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup diced apples
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup flour (for crumble)
• ¼ cup cold butter (for crumble)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch pan.
2. Mix 1 ½ cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
3. Beat sugar, butter, and eggs until creamy. Add sour cream.
4. Stir in dry mix, then fold in apples. Spread in the pan.
5. For crumble, mix brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, and cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
6. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden.

Why You’ll Love It

The crumble topping is crunchy perfection, and the sour cream keeps it moist. I once ate half of this straight from the pan—don’t judge me. Pair it with coffee for ultimate cozy vibes.

5. Apple Walnut Loaf Cake

This loaf cake is like your favorite banana bread, but with apples stealing the show. It’s hearty, nutty, and perfect for gifting (or hoarding).

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups grated apples
• ¾ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, mix sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Stir in dry mix, then fold in apples and walnuts.
5. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 60–65 minutes.
6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Why You’ll Love It

This cake is dense, moist, and packed with apple flavor. I swapped pecans for walnuts once, and it was solid, but walnuts are the move here. Slice it thick and slather with butter—trust me.

6. Apple Butter Skillet Cake

Baked in a cast-iron skillet, this cake is rustic and rich, with apple butter adding a deep, spiced flavor. Perfect for impressing your friends without breaking a sweat.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup apple butter
• 1 cup diced apples
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Beat sugar, butter, eggs, and apple butter until smooth.
4. Alternate adding dry mix and milk to the wet mix.
5. Fold in diced apples and pour into the skillet.
6. Bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Why You’ll Love It

The apple butter makes this cake next-level flavorful, and the skillet gives it that crispy edge. I tried it with store-bought apple butter, and it was fine, but homemade? Game-changer. Serve with whipped cream for extra yum.

7. Gluten-Free Apple Almond Cake

Gluten-free folks, this one’s for you! This cake is light, nutty, and still delivers that apple-y goodness.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups almond flour
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 3 large eggs
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 cup grated apples
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup sliced almonds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch round pan.
2. Mix almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, coconut sugar, and olive oil.
4. Stir in grated apples, then add dry mix. Combine gently.
5. Pour into the pan, sprinkle with almonds, and bake for 25–30 minutes.
6. Cool before slicing.

Why You’ll Love It

This cake is naturally gluten-free and feels fancy without being fussy. I made it for a friend who’s gluten-free, and she nearly cried (in a good way). The almonds add a perfect crunch.

8. Apple Chai Spice Cake

Infused with chai spices, this cake is like a cozy sweater in dessert form. It’s bold, aromatic, and oh-so-comforting.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated apples
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp chai spice blend (or mix cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves)
• ½ tsp salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch square pan.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, chai spice, and salt.
3. Beat butter, sugar, and eggs until fluffy. Add milk.
4. Stir in dry mix, then fold in apples.
5. Pour into the pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

The chai spices make this cake feel exotic yet homey. I tried adding extra cardamom once—big win. Pair with a chai latte for maximum cozy points.

9. Apple Streusel Muffin Cake

Can’t decide between muffins and cake? This hybrid is moist, crumbly, and perfect for slicing or scooping.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup diced apples
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup brown sugar (for streusel)
• ¼ cup flour (for streusel)
• 2 tbsp cold butter (for streusel)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round pan.
2. Mix 1 ¾ cups flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3. Beat sugar, butter, and eggs. Add sour cream.
4. Stir in dry mix, then fold in apples. Pour into the pan.
5. For streusel, mix brown sugar, ¼ cup flour, and cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
6. Bake for 40–45 minutes.

Why You’ll Love It

This cake feels like a muffin but eats like a dessert. I made it for a brunch, and it was gone in 10 minutes flat—consider yourself warned. Great for meal prep, too.

10. Apple Maple Pecan Cake

Maple syrup and pecans give this cake a rich, autumnal vibe. It’s like a pancake stack met a cake and fell in love.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 1 cup diced apples
• ½ cup chopped pecans
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch round pan.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Whisk sugar, butter, eggs, and maple syrup until smooth.
4. Stir in dry mix, then fold in apples and pecans.
5. Pour into the pan and bake for 35–40 minutes.
6. Cool slightly before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

The maple syrup adds a sticky-sweet depth that’s pure magic. I drizzled extra maple on top once—zero regrets. This one’s a crowd-pleaser for any fall gathering.

Wrap-Up

There you have it—10 apple cakes that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing and your taste buds sing. From classic Bundt to gluten-free goodies, these recipes are all about big flavor and minimal stress. Which one are you baking first? Let me know how it turns out—I’m betting it’ll be love at first bite! 😋