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.
Apple Bundt Cake
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 Apple Bundt 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 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 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.
How to Make This One Bowl Apple Cake
- Pour sugar into a large bowl. Add vegetable oil.
- Stir well.
- Add eggs.
- Combine until well incorporated.
- Pour in chopped apples and stir well.
- Add flour.
- Sprinkle in salt, baking soda and cinnamon.
- Add vanilla extract.
- Stir in pecans.
- You will have a very thick batter.
- Pour into greased and floured bundt pan.
- Bake 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Let cool for 20-30 minutes on wire rack until it can be inverted without breaking apart.
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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- 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
- 6 oz caramels
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 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.
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.
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.
This post has been updated with new step-by-step easy to follow instructions. It was originally published on November 20, 2016.
11 Comments
Sandi
09/01/2019 at 10:47 amI am a total sucker for apple cake. I pulled out my bundt pan, can’ t wait to make this.
Linda Warren
09/03/2019 at 4:00 pmHope you enjoy it as much as we do. I’m hosting a party Saturday and it will be one of the dessert offerings (along with the caramel sauce of course).
Renee Goerger
09/01/2019 at 10:46 amThe smell of this baking in the oven is heaven! Lovely recipe!!
Linda Warren
09/03/2019 at 3:59 pmWhen those aromas float through the house I feel like it’s fall. Which in Florida doesn’t normally happen until November. So I need all the help I can get. lol
Marjorie
12/26/2019 at 12:39 pmWhat are high altitude adjustments
Linda Warren
12/28/2019 at 2:38 pmI have never baked at high altitudes but the general rule for those at 5000 feet is to increase oven temperature by 25 degrees, increase liquid 2-4 tablespoons for every cup, decrease baking powder by 1/8-1/4 teaspoon for each teaspoon and reduce sugar up to 2 tablespoons per cup. Hope that helps. Happy New Year!
Irene Kerslake
11/02/2018 at 7:13 pmCan you freeze the one bowl apple cake?
Linda Warren
11/03/2018 at 9:08 pmMost definitely! Hope you enjoy!
Sara Giboney
11/24/2016 at 9:37 amYum! This looks amazing. I love apple cake, but I’ve never made it.
Linda Warren
11/24/2016 at 11:00 amIf you love apple cake you’ve just got to try this one. And it’s super easy too!
Christina
11/23/2016 at 8:41 pmWhat a perfect holiday dessert! It looks delicious ?