Indulge in the quintessential taste of autumn with this remarkably delicious Apple Bundt Cake recipe. Crafted for simplicity yet boasting a sophisticated flavor, this old-fashioned classic is perfect for family gatherings or an elegant dessert spread.
As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, doesn’t this tempting Homemade Apple Cake evoke images of cozy fall evenings? It’s the perfect time to preheat your oven and treat your loved ones to a slice of pure comfort. This is more than just a cake; it’s a celebration of seasonal flavors, a blend of sweet apples and warm spices baked to golden perfection in a beautiful Bundt pan.
Why This Apple Bundt Cake Will Be Your New Fall Favorite
There are countless reasons why this easy Apple Bundt Cake recipe should top your baking list. From its ease of preparation to its crowd-pleasing nature, it’s a dessert that truly shines:
- Effortless Elegance: Bundt cakes are inherently beautiful, requiring no complex frosting techniques. Their intricate designs add a touch of sophistication with minimal effort, making them a super easy yet impressive dessert option. Plus, only one pan to wash!
- A Feast for Many: This generous cake easily serves a crowd, yielding at least a dozen hearty slices. It’s ideal for holiday entertaining, potlucks, or simply ensuring there’s enough deliciousness for everyone in a large family.
- Embrace Autumn’s Best: While pumpkin spice reigns supreme, not everyone is a fan of *everything* pumpkin. This apple cake offers a delightful alternative, capturing the essence of fall with its warm spices and abundant apple chunks. It’s the ultimate autumn dessert without being overly trendy.
- Versatile Serving Options: A slice of this delectable cake stands perfectly on its own, but it’s also incredibly versatile. Elevate it with a dollop of freshly whipped cream, a scoop of creamy vanilla, caramel, or cinnamon ice cream, finished with a decadent drizzle of caramel sauce. Whether you desire a casual treat or an elegant finale, this cake adapts beautifully.
This remarkable cake strikes a perfect balance, equally suited for a relaxed family dessert or a more formal gathering. If you’re seeking further inspiration for your autumn baking adventures, we highly recommend this Comforting Apple Bread, and be sure to explore our comprehensive roundup of all my Favorite Apple Recipes for more delightful ideas.
Mastering the Art: How to Bake Your Perfect Apple Bundt Cake
Creating this magnificent spiced Apple Bundt Cake is a straightforward process, even for novice bakers. Follow these simple steps for a consistently delicious result:
- Prepare for Success: Begin by preheating your oven to the specified temperature. Next, meticulously prep your Bundt pan by greasing it thoroughly. For older or non-stick pans that might have lost some of their coating, a light flouring after greasing will ensure your cake releases flawlessly.
- Wet Ingredients First: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until they are well combined and lightened, creating a smooth base for your batter.
- Introduce Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon – ensuring they are evenly distributed. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring gently until *just* combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cake tender.
- Fold in the Stars: Gently fold in your prepared apple chunks and, if using, toasted nuts. Ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter without overworking it.
- Into the Oven: Pour the batter into your prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake as directed in the recipe card, typically until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool with Patience: Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This crucial step allows the cake to firm up, preventing it from breaking when inverted. After this initial cooling, carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Savor and Enjoy: Once fully cooled, slice and serve your incredible Apple Bundt Cake! Prepare for rave reviews.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Apple Bundt Cake: A Deep Dive
Every ingredient plays a vital role in the success of this moist Apple Bundt Cake. Understanding their purpose will help you achieve the best results:
- Vegetable Oil: For this recipe, always opt for a neutral-flavored oil such as canola, sunflower, or grapeseed oil. These oils contribute to the cake’s moistness without imparting any strong flavors. Olive oil, for instance, has too distinct a flavor profile and should be avoided in baking unless specifically called for.
- Sugar, Flour, and Ground Cinnamon: These foundational dry ingredients create the structure and flavor of our cake. The sugar provides sweetness and helps with browning, while flour gives the cake its body. Cinnamon is the quintessential spice for apple desserts, offering warmth and depth.
- Eggs: Unless explicitly stated otherwise in a recipe, always use large eggs. Eggs serve as a binder, provide structure, add richness, and contribute to the cake’s lift and moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: For the most authentic and rich flavor, insist on using real vanilla extract. Imitation vanilla simply cannot replicate the complex notes that real vanilla brings to baked goods.
- Baking Soda: This leavening agent is crucial for the cake’s rise and tender texture. Ensure it’s thoroughly whisked with the flour to prevent any pockets of bitter, salty soda from forming in the baked cake, which can ruin the taste.
- Salt: A small amount of salt is essential to balance the sweetness and enhance all the other flavors in the cake. For baking, table salt (fine grain) is generally preferred as it dissolves quickly and disperses evenly. If you only have kosher salt, remember to use approximately twice the amount due to its larger crystal size.
- Baking Apples: The type of apple you choose significantly impacts the final texture and flavor. I often use Granny Smith apples due to their tartness and ability to hold their shape during baking, and they are widely available. However, for a more complex and nuanced flavor profile, consider using a combination of three different baking apples. Varieties like Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, or even a slightly softer Golden Delicious work wonderfully.
- Nuts (Optional, but Recommended!): While entirely optional, toasted nuts add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that complements the apples and spices beautifully. Pecans or walnuts are excellent choices. Toasting them beforehand (in a dry skillet or oven) releases their natural oils, intensifying their flavor and making them even crunchier.
Baking Perfection: Pro Tips for Your Best Apple Bundt Cake
Achieving a bakery-quality apple bundt cake is easier than you think with these expert insights:
- Flawless Pan Preparation is Key: The most common Bundt cake mishap is sticking. Even if your pan has a non-stick coating, always prep it well. For newer pans in excellent condition, simply greasing with butter or shortening might suffice. However, for older pans or those with a worn coating, grease generously, then lightly flour, rotating the pan to ensure an even coat. Tap out any excess flour.
- Alternative Pan Greasing: For extra insurance, consider using a non-stick cooking spray like Pam, or even better, a baking spray that contains both flour and oil, such as Baker’s Joy. These specialty sprays significantly reduce the risk of sticking.
- PRO-Tip: The Apple Blend: Don’t settle for just one type of apple! Using a variety of baking apples – perhaps one tart, one sweet, and one firm – will introduce incredible depth of flavor and texture to your cake, making each bite more interesting.
- Toast Your Nuts: If you choose to include nuts (and we highly recommend it!), take a few extra minutes to toast them before adding them to the batter. Toasting pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet or oven awakens their natural oils, enhancing their flavor and giving them a more satisfying crunch.
- Mixer Etiquette: Once you’ve added the flour to your wet ingredients, put away the electric mixer. Overbeating at this stage will over-activate the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, less tender cake. Instead, fold the dry ingredients in gently by hand until *just* combined.
- Testing for Doneness: A toothpick inserted into the thickest part of the cake should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, indicating it’s done. If you see wet batter, continue baking and check again. Test in several spots to be sure.
- PRO-Tip: The Golden Cooling Rule: This tip is crucial for a perfectly intact Bundt cake. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for approximately 10 to 15 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the crust to firm up and the cake structure to set. Flipping it too soon can cause the cake to tear or collapse, while leaving it in the pan too long can make it stick as the cake cools and contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Bundt Cake
Selecting the right apples is key to a fantastic apple cake! Always ensure you use firm, baking-friendly apple varieties that hold their shape well and don’t turn mushy during baking. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask your local produce manager for their recommendations. Granny Smith apples are a consistently excellent choice for baking due to their tartness and firmness, and they are readily available year-round. Other wonderful baking apples include Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Matsu, and even a slightly softer Golden Delicious for added sweetness. For a truly exceptional cake with a delightful complexity of textures and flavors, consider combining three different types of baking apples. This creates a more interesting and dynamic flavor profile that will impress everyone.
This versatile apple cake can be served in many delicious ways, depending on the occasion! For a simple yet elegant presentation, a light dusting of powdered sugar over the entire cake or individual slices is always lovely. To take it up a notch, you can drizzle slices (or even the whole cake) with a warm caramel sauce, melted white chocolate, or a smooth vanilla buttercream frosting. For the ultimate dessert experience, serve each slice warm with a generous scoop of premium vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. A sprinkle of cinnamon or a few toasted nuts on top can add extra flair.
Proper storage ensures your apple cake remains fresh and delicious. Because this cake is wonderfully moist, it’s best stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, ensuring it’s covered tightly with plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. If you anticipate keeping it longer, or if your kitchen is particularly warm, it’s advisable to transfer it to the refrigerator. When refrigerated, the cake should maintain its quality for another couple of days. Always keep it well-covered to protect its moisture and flavor.
Absolutely, this apple cake freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prepping or enjoying a slice later! To freeze, ensure the cake is completely cooled. Then, wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe airtight container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without compromising flavor or texture. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply defrost the cake overnight in the refrigerator. For the best taste and texture, allow individual slices to come to room temperature before serving.
Discover More Apple Delights and Cake Creations
If you loved this Apple Bundt Cake, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic recipes:
- Irish Apple Crumble Cake with Apple Brandy Sauce from Saving Room for Dessert
- Decadent Cream Cheese Filled Apple Bundt Cake
- Timeless Classic Apple Pie
- Sweet Brown Sugar Apple Bread
- The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
- Explore more of the Best Cake Recipes on our site
Stay connected with us through social media on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag us when you try one of our delicious recipes! Your feedback is invaluable, and if you love the results, please consider giving it a 5-star rating in the recipe card below.
Best Apple Bundt Cake
20 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes
1 hour 50 minutes
10 servings
A cinnamon spiced Apple Cake that’s dense and delicious! This moist Bundt cake is perfect for fall and easy to make.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil (neutral flavor like canola or grapeseed)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 medium baking apples, peeled, cored, and cut into bite-sized chunks*
- 1 cup nuts (pecans or walnuts), toasted and chopped, optional
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325ºF (160ºC).
- Prepare Pan: Grease and lightly flour a 10-12 cup tube or Bundt pan. Ensure all crevices are covered to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until well combined and slightly lightened in color.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Gradually add this dry mixture to the sugar mixture, stirring with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Add Apples & Nuts: Gently fold in the prepared apple chunks and, if using, the toasted nuts. Stir until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Fill Pan: Spoon the batter evenly into your prepared Bundt pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently level the top.
- Bake: Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are acceptable, but no wet batter).
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the Bundt pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. This allows the cake to firm up before removal.
- Invert & Serve: After cooling in the pan, carefully invert the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, transfer to a serving plate, slice, and enjoy!
Notes
Adapted from I Am Baker.
*I used all Granny Smith apples for their tartness and texture, but feel free to experiment with a mix of 2-3 different baking apples for a richer flavor profile.
Recommended Baking Tools
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- Nesting Mixing Bowls
- Santoku Knife
- OXO Cutting Board
- OXO Vegetable Peeler
- OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Better Balloon Whisk
- Bundt Pan
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 774Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 364mgCarbohydrates: 95gFiber: 3gSugar: 62gProtein: 8g
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?
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The aromas of cinnamon and sweet apples wafting from the oven are undeniably heartwarming. I fondly remember baking an apple cake for my dad and mom when they first visited me in my inaugural apartment (a place where my husband jokingly claims I survived solely on popcorn!). This classic Apple Bundt Cake perfectly encapsulates that feeling of home, comfort, and delicious hospitality, making it the ideal choice for our first autumn dinner this season. Enjoy creating this memorable dessert and sharing it with those you cherish!