Old-Fashioned Homemade Apple Cake: Tender, Buttery and Filled With Sweet Apple Slices in Every Bite

How to Make Homemade Apple Cake

1. Heat the oven. Preheat to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round pan with butter and dust it lightly with flour, or line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the apples. Peel, core and cut two apples into small cubes, about ½ inch. Slice the third apple into thin wedges. Toss everything with the lemon juice.
3. Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar for about 2 minutes, until pale and slightly thick. Whisk in the melted butter, milk and vanilla.
4. Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir gently with a spatula just until no dry flour remains. A few small lumps are fine.
5. Fold in the apple cubes. Gently mix the diced apples into the batter.
6. Fill the pan. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
7. Decorate. Arrange the thin apple slices on top in a circle, pressing them lightly into the batter. Sprinkle with the 2 extra tablespoons of sugar.
8. Bake. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the top is deep golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool. Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Dust with powdered sugar if you like.

Tips for a Moist, Tender Cake

• Do not overmix the batter. Stir only until combined. Overmixing makes the cake tough.
• Cut the apples small for the inside, so they cook through and stay tender.
• If the top browns too fast, cover it loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes.
• Let it cool a little before slicing. The crumb sets as it cools, and the slices come out neater.

Variations

For an apple walnut cake, fold ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter.

For a caramel apple cake, drizzle warm caramel sauce over each slice just before serving.

For extra warmth in the colder months, add ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg and a pinch of ground ginger along with the cinnamon.

How to Store Apple Cake

Keep the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It also freezes well: wrap individual slices in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. A few seconds in the microwave brings back that fresh-baked warmth.

Nutrition Information

One slice contains approximately 280 to 330 calories, depending on the size of the slice and the apples used. Apples add natural sweetness, moisture and fiber, making this one of the lighter homemade cakes you can bake.

Final Thoughts

This old-fashioned apple cake is proof that the best recipes are often the simplest ones. A few apples, a bowl of batter and a little patience fill your kitchen with a smell no candle can copy.

Cut a warm slice, pour a cup of coffee, and enjoy it slowly. Then save a piece for someone you love, because this is a cake meant to be shared.

With love, from Grandma's kitchen ❤️