A soft and tender Apple Cake packed with fresh apples, sprinkled with a crumb topping and drizzled with a sweet and buttery brown sugar sauce.
If you’re looking to elevate a typical fall day, I have the perfect solution: A big slice of cake studded with fresh apples, topped with a buttery crumble, and drizzled with a decadent brown sugar sauce. I mean, does it get any better? Let’s talk about Apple Cake and why this beauty needs to be added to your fall baking line up immediately.
MORE APPLE RECIPES: APPLE CRISP – APPLE CRUMB BARS – APPLE BUNDT CAKE – APPLE DUMPLINGS – APPLESAUCE CAKE
How To Make Apple Cake:
This cake comes together quickly and easily – no mixer needed. There are three components that work together to make this cake the best.
- Apple Cake: This recipe uses sour cream and applesauce to make a moist and light cake. The cake is flavored with finely chopped apples, a touch of cinnamon, and vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, whisk the wet ingredients in another, then combine the two and add to a 9×13 pan.
- Crumb Topping: Mix up a standard crumb topping (flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter) and sprinkle over the top of the cake batter.The flavors of cinnamon and brown sugar complement the cake perfectly. The buttery crunch of the crumb topping balances the soft cake, adding texture to every bite.
- Brown Sugar Sauce: This sweet, buttery and decadent sauce tastes like melted toffee (it’s SO good!). A simple mixture of melted butter, brown sugar and cream is cooked briefly on the stovetop. Drizzle the sauce over the whole cake or each slice individually.
The Best Apples for Apple Cake:
It’s best to use firm apples with a balance of sweet and tart flavors. These are my favorite varieties for this recipe:
- Honeycrisp
- Fuji
- Pink Lady
- Braeburn
Although these are my top choices, you can absolutely use whatever apples you have on hand. I like to peel the apples, but if you’d prefer to leave the skin on you can.
TIP: Cut your apples into small pieces. This cake bakes in only 25 minutes, and you want the apple pieces to soften during that time.
MORE CAKE RECIPES: BANANA CAKE – VANILLA CAKE – PUMPKIN PUDDING CAKE
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Apple Cake
Ingredients
Crumb topping:
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, increase to 1-½ teaspoons for a stronger flavor
- 2 cups finely chopped peeled apple
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup canola oil or vegetable oil
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Brown sugar sauce:
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
Instructions
Crumb topping:
- Combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Add melted butter and stir until well combined. Place in the refrigerator while you continue with the cake.
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add apples and stir until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, oil, sour cream, applesauce, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Use a rubber spatula to stir until well combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Remove the crumb topping from the refrigerator and sprinkle it over the top of the cake batter. Bake for 22-27 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool.
Brown sugar sauce:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar, whisking constantly. Gradually add the cream. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cool just slightly so it can thicken. Serve warm sauce over slices of cake.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!Recipe updated September 2019.
Lama
What can I substitute apple butter with
Celebrating Sweets
You can try swapping the apple butter for an equal amount of applesauce (this would be in addition to the other applesauce listed in the recipe). I haven’t tried this so I can’t say for sure, but it should work Good luck!
Terry
Can I add golden raisins in this recipe?
If I can, when would I add them?
Thanks
Allison
Sure. Stir them into the cake batter right after combining the wet and dry ingredients.
Sandi
This cake looks wonderful for a brunch or fun get together.
Joyce
I am a sucker for crumble too haha but omg you are brilliant – you tripled the apples with fresh apples, apple butter and apple sauce! haha Crazy flavour! My kind of recipe! 🙂
Nicole Lucido
I don’t see apple butter in the recipe, please clarify for me. Thanks!
Celebrating Sweets
Hi, Nicole. I had received several requests for substitutions for the apple butter so I recently re-tested and updated the recipe without the apple butter. If you’d prefer an apple cake WITH apple butter, I have another on the site: https://celebratingsweets.com/double-apple-bundt-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/
Enjoy!
Danielle
This is one of my favourite cakes. So comforting and perfect with a bit mug of coffee.
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
First, I’m drooling over this cake! I love that drizzle of glaze on top. Second, my kids are young adults away at college…and I think about the good old days when they were little all the time!
Dana
This. Looks. Heavenly. Anything with crumbs all over the top, please and thank you! And gorgeous photos!
Jessica Formicola
I made this apple cake for dessert last night, and it was incredible! It’s the perfect fall cake and I can’t wait to make it again!
wilhelmina
This cake is divine! So moist and delicious and perfect for Fall!
Deb
OK….Just saw that the apple butter was removed before I saw this recipe. 🙂
Just came out of the oven…Looking forward to dessert!!!
I want to commend you for not overstating who you are like some others on their blogs (e.g.photographer, recipe developer).
Thanks…..I can feel very comfortable with an honest person.
Allison
Hi, Deb. Yes, I changed around the recipe (and removed the apple butter) because several people were looking for substitutes. I hope you enjoy the cake. Thanks for stopping by.