Fall is in the air, which means one thing – apple season! This old-fashioned fresh apple cake recipe is the perfect way to celebrate. It’s made with real apples, oil, and buttermilk for a delicious buttery flavor. The sweet apple cider butter glaze is poured over the top, making it super moist and irresistible.
We go apple picking every year because it’s a fun family tradition. We come home with many apples, and I make many apple recipes to use them all up!
From homemade apple juice cocktails to the best apple pie, my easy apple crisp, and my favorite recipe—this old-fashioned apple cake—it’s delicious and warms the house with its spices.
I love to enjoy this cake with a warm cup of coffee and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s one of my favorite homemade cake recipes!
Serve this cake at a Halloween party, Fall Harvest Party, Thanksgiving dinner, or Christmas potluck. It’s also a great after-school snack or dessert for kids! Top it with homemade caramel sauce for an extra treat.
5 Things I Love About This Cake
- This is a tried and true old-fashioned apple cake recipe. It uses real apples, too!
- The buttermilk and oil make this a super moist apple cake recipe. The butter topping was also poured over the top.
- It’s easy to make and doesn’t require a mixing bowl.
- It can be topped with any frosting you like or eaten without frosting, as it’s perfect on its own.
Tips for Making This Cake
- I want to use various apples for this cake, such as a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can use regular milk combined with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- This cake can also be made in a bundt pan. Be sure to grease the pan well so the cake doesn’t stick.
- You can also use a frosting over the top.
How to Store
Leftover cake can be stored at room temperature and covered for up to a week. If you have any leftover glaze, it can also be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
To freeze, wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. It will be kept in the freezer for up to three months.
When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before serving.
Can this cake be made in a bundt pan?
Yes, this cake can be made in a bundt pan. Be sure to grease and flour the pan well so the cake doesn’t stick.
Do you need to pre-cook apples for apple cake?
No, you don’t need to pre-cook apples for apple cake. Just make sure to chop them into small pieces so they cook evenly.
Should I peel my apples for an apple cake?
We prefer to peel our apples for apple cake. The skin can sometimes make the cake tough. However, leave the skin on if you don’t mind a little texture.
More Cake Recipes You’ll Love
If you love this old-fashioned fresh apple cake recipe, try more of our favorite recipes!
- The Best Buttermilk Cake
- Lavender Sheet Cake
- Homemade Funfetti Sheet Cake
- Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe
- The Best Homemade Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Ganache Bundt Cake
- Orange Ricotta Cake Recipe
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Old-Fashioned Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Cake
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups apples, peeled and finely chopped
Apple Glaze
- 1/2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup sugar
Instructions
Apple Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×12 cake pan or a bundt pan.
- In a large mixing bowl combine all of the dry ingredients – sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and cardamom.
- Whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, and buttermilk in a large measuring glass.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Fold in the chopped apples.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Apple Cider Butter Glaze
- While the cake is baking, make the glaze. Add 1/2 cup apple cider, 1/2 stick butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp baking soda into a small saucepan and simmer until it’s all melted.
- When the cake is finished baking, remove and pour the butter mixture over the hot cake and let it sit for 1 hour.
- Allow the cake to cool for a few minutes before inverting it onto a plate. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- The type of apple you use and how big they’re cut.
- The size and shape of your baking dish and how well you like your cake.
- An oven’s actual temperature. Every oven is different so that yours may run hot or cold.
- The elevation you’re baking at. Higher elevations tend to require longer baking times.
- We suggest checking your cake a few minutes before the recipe says it will be done. Start with 1 hour and go from there.
Just baked it, poured the glaze over it and waiting for it to cool so we can eat it!! Easy bake and looks delicious!!!
oh my goodness! this is an amazing tasting cake and I cant wait to make it again in the fall
Moist & delicious!! Love the chunks of apple in each bite! It has the perfect apple flavor!
OMG I loooooove this cake! It’s so moist with the BEST flavor…..tastes like home.