This One Bowl Apple Cake is as easy as 1-2-3. Just put all the ingredients, apples, sugar, flour and spices, in a bowl, mix and bake. It comes out moist, delicious and fills the house with the aromas of apples & cinnamon.
Happy September and bring on the fall! I love the fall season! All that cool weather, OK, I might be exaggerating a bit for Florida but it’s a beautiful time of year here, and the yummy flavors and aromas of pumpkin and apples in the air.
I think it’s the change in weather that makes me want to run to my kitchen and start baking. And there are so many recipes that I love to make that I sometimes don’t even know where to start. I make my usual Caramel Apple Bars, Pumpkin Chocolate Spice Bars and, of course, the Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie but, for those that want something besides pie for the holiday, this recipe for a moist apple cake is perfect.
I first had this delicious cake at my mother-in-law’s home many years ago and just had to get the recipe from her. I’ve been making it every year since then, it’s that good! It’s surprisingly easy to make, using just one bowl (hence the name), and comes out so moist and full of apple and spice flavors that you’ll want to bake it up again and again.
Most Asked Questions
What are the best apples to use in this cake?
It’s best to use a combination of apples, some for sweetness, some for crispness and some for moistness. I prefer to use both the Fuji ad Honeycrisp variety.
Can you freeze this cake?
Absolutely. It freezes well and will keep about 3 months in the freezer. Once cooled, I like to keep this cake in the refrigerator and take it out about 1 hour before serving since it tastes better at room temperature.
Can I keep this apple cake on the counter?
Yes, but it will not last as long and make sure that it is well covered with plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.
How do I know when this one bowl apple cake is done?
The easiest way is to insert a toothpick into the center, if it comes out clean it is done. You can also tell if it is done when the cake starts to pull away from the sides of the bundt pan. Thirdly, you can try lightly touching the top of the cake. If it springs back, it is done. If it leaves a depression, it needs to cook a little longer.
Directions
Gather ingredients.
- Pour sugar into a large bowl. Add vegetable oil. (photo 1)
- Stir until all ingredients are well combined. (photo 2)
- Add the three eggs. (photo 3)
- Combine until well incorporated. (photo 4)
- Pour in chopped apples and stir well. (photo 5)
- Add all the flour. (photo 6)
- Sprinkle in salt, baking soda and cinnamon. (photo 7)
- Add vanilla extract. (photo 8)
- Stir in pecans. (photo 9)
- The batter will be very thick. (photo 10)
- Pour into greased and floured bundt pan. (photo 11)
- Bake. You will know it’s done when a toothpick in center comes out clean. (photo 12)
This one bowl apple cake makes a great dessert for autumn and will easily handle going right into the holidays. And, if you must, and yes you must, serve it a la mode with maybe, OK definitely, a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. I’m drooling just thinking about it. Enjoy!
More Favorites With Apples
Apple French Toast Muffins from 2 Cookin Mamas
Maple Apple Oatmeal Cookies from 2 Cookin Mamas
Apple Pie Monkey Bread from Unicorns in the Kitchen
Apple Chia Seed Pudding from 2 Cookin Mamas
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Easy One Bowl Apple Cake
Ingredients
Apple Cake
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 3 cups apples peeled, cored & diced
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Caramel Sauce (optional)
- 6 oz caramels
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Apple Cake
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease & flour a bundt pan.
- In a large bowl, mix ingredients in order given. Batter will be very thick.
- Pour into prepared bundt pan.
- Bake 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours or until toothpick in center comes out clean.
- Place on wire rack to cool for about 20-30 minutes. You want it to be firm enough to not fall apart when it is inverted. When cool enough remove from pan and place on wire rack to finish cooling completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar just prior to serving. Serve with optional sides of vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce.
Caramel Sauce
- To melt caramels, place caramels and heavy whipping cream in microwave safe measuring cup or bowl.
- Melt in microwave on high in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Usually takes about 1-1/2 to 2 minutes.
Notes
Most Asked Questions About This Easy Apple Cake
What are the best apples to use in this cake?
It's best to use a combination of apples, some for sweetness, some for crispness and some for moistness. I prefer to use both the Fuji ad Honeycrisp variety.Can you freeze this cake?
Absolutely. It freezes well and will keep about 3 months in the freezer. Once cooled, I like to keep this cake in the refrigerator and take it out about 1 hour before serving since it tastes better at room temperature.Can I keep this easy apple cake on the counter?
Yes, but it will not last as long and make sure that it is well covered with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out.How do I know when this one bowl apple cake is done?
The easiest way is to insert a toothpick into the center, if it comes out clean it is done. You can also tell if it is done when the cake starts to pull away from the sides of the bundt pan. Thirdly, you can try lightly touching the top of the cake. If it springs back, it is done. If it leaves a depression, it needs to cook a little longer.Nutrition
This post has been updated with new step-by-step easy to follow instructions. It was originally published on November 20, 2016.
