17 Homey Apple Cake Recipes

What better way to celebrate a bounty of fresh fall apples than baking up a warm, sweet, delicious, homey apple cake? From easy apple cakes that you can serve for Sunday brunch or weeknight desserts, to a showstopping three-layer apple cake that begs to be served at birthday parties to the sweet, sticky caramel apple microwave mug cake of your dreams, you'll find the yummiest apple cake recipes here.

Apple Equivalents, Measures, and Substitutions

01 of 17

Fresh Apple Cake With Brown Sugar Topping

The Spruce

Fresh, seasonal apples are the star of this moist and delicious Bundt cake. Topped with a warm butter and brown sugar sauce, it makes a delightful fall treat to enjoy with your afternoon cup of coffee or tea. If baking in a Bundt pan, use a pastry brush to thoroughly coat the pan with melted butter before flouring it, for a cake that comes out easily after baking.
02 of 17

Apple Cranberry Cake

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

With sweet and tart chunks of fresh apple, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy chopped pecans, this fruity and nutty cake makes a great ending to fall holiday dinners. Top it with the sweet and gooey caramel sauce or use a can of cream cheese frosting to fancy it up for the table. (Of course, you could always do both.)
03 of 17

Apple Pie Skillet Cake

The Spruce

Have your pie and eat cake, too. A sturdy cast-iron skillet is the secret to producing this nicely spiced, moist apple cake that will remind you of a French apple tart, right down to the gorgeous rosette of apple slices on top. Best of all, it comes together and bakes up in just 30 minutes for a beautiful, rustic dessert.
04 of 17

One-Layer Apple Walnut Cake

istetiana / Getty Images

Consider this one-layer apple cake a delicious, easy-to-assemble, fruity alternative for celebrating birthdays, Mother's Day, and other special occasions. Easy enough for even beginner bakers to make, with lots of finely chopped apples, brown sugar, and walnuts, it practically begs to be topped off with fluffy cream cheese frosting.

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05 of 17

Vegan Apple Cake

The Picture Pantry / Getty Images

A scrumptious, frosted vegan apple cake that's ready in about an hour? Dreams really do come true. Wow your friends and family with this vegan apple cake that uses ingredients such as flaxseeds and soy margarine, along with apples, brown sugar, spices, and other pantry staples, for a dessert you will feel proud to serve.
06 of 17

Chilean Apple Crumb Cake

The Spruce / Marian Blazes

A thick river of applesauce runs through the center of this not-too-sweet apple crumb cake. Inspired by a Chilean dessert, it includes a dense, vanilla-scented crumb, and is finished with an easy streusel topping that adds fantastic texture to this homey, comforting cake.
07 of 17

Apple Cinnamon Upside-Down Cake

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Unlike some upside-down cakes that begin in a skillet, this apple confection starts and ends in a square baking pan. The trick to its signature fruit-on-top look is layering the fruit mixture in the bottom of the pan and pouring the batter over top for baking. When the cake comes out of the oven, you simply invert the pan onto a plate to reveal gloriously tender, caramelized apples.
08 of 17

Jewish Whole Grain Apple Cake

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Traditionally enjoyed at Jewish fall holiday celebrations such as Rosh Hashanah and Sukkoth, this simply delicious, moist apple cinnamon cake is ideal for Thanksgiving as well. This version is different from the usual, grandmother-approved recipe because it reduces the amount of sugar and uses whole-grain flour for a denser, nutty-tasting cake you might want to eat for breakfast.

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09 of 17

Three-Layer Apple Butter Cake

Gentl and Hyers / Photolibrary / Getty Images

With three moist layers of apple spice crumb, made with the perfect combination of cozy spices and prepared apple butter, all separated by soft ribbons of the creamy frosting of your choice, this luscious apple cake is a showstopping dessert. Use canned frosting for an easy shortcut, decorating the top with well-placed walnut halves.
10 of 17

Caramel Apple Mug Cake

The Spruce

Mug cakes are amazing when you're craving an easy, solo sweet treat. This insanely decadent caramel apple mug cake bakes in just one minute in the microwave, for a warm, sugary treat that will make your sweet tooth happy. With fresh apples, brown sugar, applesauce, and an easy streusel topping, it's like a full, decadent fall dessert in one mug.
11 of 17

Spiced Apple Oatmeal Cake

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Rolled oats add wholesome goodness to this yummy apple spice cake that is generously studded with chopped nuts and raisins. The simple recipe uses vegetable oil instead of butter to produce a light, ultra-moist crumb that doesn't dry out when baked in a Bundt pan. Enjoy it straight from the oven for a casual dessert or top it with vanilla glaze for a pretty effect when serving guests.
12 of 17

Baked Apple Pudding Cake

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Celebrate apple season with this incredibly delicious apple pudding cake. The moist, egg-free cake includes a built-in brown sugar caramel syrup and bakes up in 30 minutes for a fantastic fall dessert you can pull together at the last minute. Serve warm from the oven, topped with vanilla ice cream or a hefty dollop of whipped topping.

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13 of 17

Apple Dump Cake

The Spruce

Enjoy the best of both worlds in one dessert with this outrageously tasty dessert that looks like a cake but tastes like an apple pie. A box of yellow cake mix forms the batter for this classic dump-style dessert that includes apple cider, melted butter, sugar, and fresh apples. Bake it in a casserole dish for a browned and bubbly weeknight treat.
14 of 17

Apple Coffee Cake

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

If colder days make you crave sweet breakfasts, you'll love digging into this comforting apple sour cream coffee cake this fall. Topped with sweet, glazed cinnamon-scented apple slices, and toasted slivered almonds, it's homey enough for family weekends and special enough for holiday brunches, too.
15 of 17

Gooey Caramel Apple Cake

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Enjoy all the flavors of everyone's favorite caramel apples in this sweet and gooey, one-layer caramel apple cake. What makes this fresh apple cake truly magical is the hot caramel topping that you whip up while the cake bakes. When you poke holes into the cake and pour on the sticky, warm sauce, it seeps deliciously into every nook and cranny. Yum.
16 of 17

Greek Apple Cake

Steve Outram / Getty Images

A shot of brandy adds a special flavor to this spiked Greek upside-down apple cake. With its gorgeous appearance and wonderfully sweet, spiced batter, it is an ideal showcase for crisp and delicious fall apples. Top with a dusting of confectioners' sugar for serving or plate slices with vanilla ice cream.

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17 of 17

Apple Walnut Cake With Butterscotch Sauce

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Southern-style apple walnut cake is tender, nutty, and a wonderful way to use up ripe fall apples. Serve this moist apple walnut cake with the included butterscotch sauce or a purchased caramel sauce. Or drizzle it with warmed heavy cream for an easy, down-home dessert for your Sunday roast.

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