This delectable Apple Cake has a slightly crunchy crust and a soft, tender center that is loaded with chunks of sweet apple and pecans. It is perfectly spiced with cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg. It is lightly drizzled with an easy four-ingredient caramel sauce. I make this cake several times each fall for bake sales, potlucks, and family and friend get-togethers.
My family just loves a good fall apple dessert. I mean, honestly, who the heck doesn’t? What is not to love about crisp sweet apples nestled in batter or dough with all the yummy fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice? Do you like fall apple recipes? Have you tried any of my other apple desserts? Apple Galette, Dutch Apple Pie, Homemade Applesauce, and this cake are just a few of our favorites.
How to make this Cinnamon Pecan Apple Cake
First, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg. Then in a separate large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Now add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in several intervals stirring just until combined. Fold the apples and pecans into the batter, stirring just until combined. Spoon the batter into a well-greased and lightly floured Bundt pan.
Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Then let the cake cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes before inverting. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, and cream. Now bring to a boil while stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. Then remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Finally, drizzle over the warm cake.
What are the best apples for this Apple Cake?
My go-to apples for this recipe are crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples. Other good choices are Braeburn, Pink Lady (also known as Cripps Pink), Fuji, or Gala Apples. You can also do a mixture of all of these or any of these for more texture and flavor. Cut your apples into chunks that are at least 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch thick to help keep a little bit of firmness through the baking process. For best results, stir them with a little lemon juice to keep them from browning while you are making your way through the recipe.
Recipe tips and notes
- Peel, core, and cut your apples into chunks for bite-size pieces of apple with just a little bit of that great apple texture left after baking.
- Grease and flour your bundt pan well. I like to use Baker’s Joy, but flour and butter work well too.
- Because of the chunks of apple in this delicious cake, intricate bundt pans do not work very well, but a standard bundt pan works like a dream.
- This cake is one of those recipes that tastes even better when made a day in advance. Let it cool completely before covering it and storing it in a cool section of the kitchen.
- Always preheat your oven and load the cake on the middle rack in the center of the oven.
- Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack away from the oven for about 15 minutes before inverting on to a serving platter.
- Chopped walnuts or almonds can be substituted for chopped pecans. Or omit the nuts if you prefer or if someone has a nut allergy.
- This delicious cake recipe also works well with peaches and pears.
- For an over-the-top taste treat, top with homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- If you don’t like ground cloves, use ground ginger or allspice or split the difference between the two.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To freeze this cake, first, cool it completely, then wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
More apple recipes to try
Print
Fresh Apple Cake Recipe
A scrumptiously moist Apple Cake with chunks of fresh apples and pecans in every slice, all topped with an easy four-ingredient caramel glaze
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Apple Cake
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large Honeycrisp apples peeled, cored and chunked
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Caramel Drizzle
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in 3 intervals stirring just until combined. Add the apples and pecans, stirring just until mixed. Spoon the cake batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before inverting.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, and cream. Bring to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Drizzle over the warm cake.
Notes
- Peel, core, and cut your apples into chunks for bite-size pieces of apple with just a little bit of that great apple texture left after baking.
- Grease and flour your bundt pan well. I like to use Baker’s Joy, but flour and butter work well too.
- Because of the chunks of apple in this delicious cake, intricate bundt pans do not work very well, but a standard bundt pan works like a dream.
- This cake is one of those recipes that tastes even better when made a day in advance. Let it cool completely before covering it and storing it in a cool section of the kitchen.
- Always preheat your oven and load the cake on the middle rack in the center of the oven.
- Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack away from the oven for about 15 minutes before inverting on to a serving platter.
- Chopped walnuts or almonds can be substituted for chopped pecans. Or omit the nuts if you prefer or if someone has a nut allergy.
- This delicious cake recipe also works well with peaches and pears.
- For an over-the-top taste treat, top with homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- If you don’t like ground cloves, use ground ginger or allspice or split the difference between the two.
- Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To freeze this cake, first, cool it completely, then wrap it in two layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Keywords: apple spice cake, German apple cake, apple bundt cake, caramel apple cake
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Cathleen Kelly
Was trying to duplicate a wonderful apple cake from an orchard in Waynesville, NC
I was pretty sure there were cloves in the mix. Your recipe is spot on! Used walnuts and dark brown sugar. Dinner party guests wanted the recipe. Thanks so much for this delicious concoction!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Cathleen! I am so glad that your party guests liked the apple cake!
Marysa
Looks yummy! Great way to use up all those apples my kids pick during apple-picking season!
Jill
This cake is so full of flavor and just wonderful. The caramel drizzle really takes it over the top. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Jill!
Anjali
This apple cake turned out to be moist, soft, and perfectly sweet!! It filled my house with the most amazing smell as it was baking too!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Anjali! So glad that you liked the apple cake.
Charles
Beth,
You are officially a rock star! Your Apple Cake is what I’ve been looking for! You have amazing recipes and this one was so delicious! Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Sharon
This apple bundt cake comes out so moist in the center with lots of apple chunks throughout. The caramel drizzle is the perfect topping on this too.
★★★★★
dana
This was so good! I love anything apple-y. Thanks for sharing this great recipe. I will make it again!
★★★★★
Kathy Shea
I have a family member with tree nut allergy. Has anyone made it without the pecans and nutmeg? I wondered if it would still be as good if I just omit them? Thanks!
Amanda
This is the best apple cake recipe! My family loves it.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Amanda! So glad that they like it!
Tavo
The cake came out super moist! We loved it, definitely will make it again!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! So happy that you liked it!
Sue
Omg this cake is making me crave FALL!
★★★★★
Dana
Apple everything all the time! Come fall I’m way more into apple than pumpkin spice, so recipes like this excite me. I’ll be making this on the regular for sure!
★★★★★
Michele
Everyone raved about this apple cake! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine Michele!
Kali Alexandria
So tasty! I love making this recipe!
★★★★★
Erin
This was amazingly delicious! Thanks for the great recipe! We loved it.
Sandra
This apple cake is just heavenly! Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!
★★★★★
Amanda
I cannot wait to have this again! It was a flavor explosion and one of my favorite desserts now!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Amanda! So glad that you liked it!
Kathy
Would this recipe work for cupcakes? I’m thinking the caramel drizzle would make a mess in paper liners, but maybe work for aluminum ones? Thanks. Thinking of making for a potluck.
Beth Pierce
Yes it would work for cupcakes. You will need to chop the apples a lot finer and of course they will cook in about 20-25 minutes. I agree the apple drizzle might be a little messy but napkins might solve all of that.
KimW
You could always cook your caramel longer to thicken it up
★★★★★
darlene diamond
I have a decorative Nordic 10 cup Autumn wreath pan I would love to use. I saw in your comments that they aren”t the best to use would it look awful or would it not release from the pan well. Any suggestions I really would love to use this pan for Thanksgiving. Thx Dar
Beth Pierce
It might have trouble releasing. That is a beautiful pan. I think if I was to try that I would grate the apples and I would also coat the pan very well. I have had good luck with Bakers Joy.
Nancy Bishop
Made this yesterday while working with all the apples we got this past weekend.
The cake was amazing!! Hubby kept eating a bite and saying “I know that taste from somewhere”. Finally after 3 slices he said “Got It!!! It taste like Gingerbread!!”
He took a huge slice to work today for a snack… that means he really likes it!!!
This has already been printed and going into my recipe binder!!!!
(I didn’t use the drizzle/icing- it is so moist we don’t think it needs it!)
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Nancy! So glad that you and hubby liked it. Nothing wrong with a little cake for lunch! 😉
Megan
I’m kind of a newbie. How much should you adjust the baking time if baking in a 13×9 cake pan?
Beth Pierce
I would start checking after 45 minutes but I would think it would take closer to 55 minutes.
Helen
I love this recipe. I substituted 3/4 cup of applesauce and 3/4 cup oil. I’m trying to cut out oils in your diet. TY he asked turnedout wonderful.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Helen! So glad that you liked it!
Joyce aden
Could you put this in a 9×13 pan?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can. You will have to adjust your baking time.
Mahy
I love the texture – it is just perfect to my liking. I guess it’s time to make an apple cake! 😉
★★★★★
Jess
Apples and pecans! MMMboy my favorite combo!
★★★★★
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain
Apple cake is such an amazing all season cake and the crumb on this looks SOOOO moist! Cannot wait to try
★★★★★
Michelle
Made this since I had a bag of Honeycrisp apples, and it was so delicious! Can’t wait to make it again soon!
★★★★★
Sisley White - Sew White
This is a beautiful cake. You really can’t beat a classic apple cake.
★★★★★
Melissa
Wow – AMAZING! Im already planning on making it again! Great recipe
★★★★★
Laura Reese
These cake was so delicious and flavorful!
★★★★★
Katie
Looks so delicious! I know my family would go crazy for this.
★★★★★
Betsy
Incredible. So moist and delicious. A perfect autumn dessert…a perfect Thanksgiving dessert!
★★★★★
Maria Valente
Hi Betsy, the recipe I have is very similar to yours very delicious also, it called for semi-sweet chocolate chips
and it really comes out delicious. You might want to try it sometime.
★★★★★
Matt Taylor
Yummy! This apple cake looks absolutely amazing! So easy to make too.
★★★★★
Elle
For the caramel drizzle, is it best to pour over in advance or right before serving? Thanks!
Beth Pierce
I like to pour it over in advance but honestly you could do either one.
Carol
When else would you pour the drizzle other than in advance or right before?
Vikki
Amazing cake, perfect for fall! I love moist and gooey cakes 😀
★★★★★
Jacque Hastert
This dessert has me so ready for fall! I can’t wait to bake this up and ring in the next season! This looks absolutely delicious!
★★★★★
Kevin
Love this cake! Apple season is about to be in overload at my house!
★★★★★
Erin
This Apple Cake looks incredibly delicious!
★★★★★