Apple Pie Cake
Meta Description: This moist Apple Pie Cake is packed with tender cinnamon apples and warm spices, then topped with a buttery brown sugar crumble. An easy homemade dessert perfect for fall and family gatherings.
If you love apple pie and moist homemade cake, this Apple Pie Cake gives you the best of both desserts in every bite. It combines a soft, buttery cake with tender cinnamon-coated apples and a delicious brown sugar topping. As it bakes, the apples become soft and caramelized while their juices soak into the cake, creating an incredibly moist and flavorful dessert.
Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert that’s perfect for weekends, holidays, potlucks, or any time you’re craving something homemade.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Crumble Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Apples
Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the cake batter.
3. Make the Cake Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and finish with the dry ingredients.
Mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cake dense.
4. Layer the Cake and Apples
Spread about half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.
Arrange approximately half of the cinnamon apples evenly over the batter.
Spoon the remaining cake batter over the apples and gently spread it into an even layer.
Arrange the remaining apples over the top.
5. Prepare the Crumble
In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work it into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.
Stir in the chopped pecans or walnuts if using.
Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the apples.
6. Bake
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out mostly clean.
The apples should be tender, and the topping should be golden brown.
If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the cake with aluminum foil during the final 15 minutes.
7. Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes before carefully removing it.
For the best flavor, serve it slightly warm.
Top each slice with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Tips for the Best Apple Pie Cake
Choose firm apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples work beautifully because they hold their shape during baking.
Slice the apples evenly: Thin, uniform slices cook more consistently and create a better texture.
Don’t overmix the batter: Mix only until the ingredients are incorporated to keep the cake soft and tender.
Let it rest: Allowing the cake to cool slightly helps the layers set and makes slicing easier.
Storage
Store leftover Apple Pie Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheat individual slices for a few seconds in the microwave and serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra delicious treat.
This Apple Pie Cake is moist, buttery, warmly spiced, and packed with tender apples. With its cinnamon crumble topping and irresistible homemade flavor, it’s a wonderful combination of classic apple pie and comforting cake.