Description
This Southern Apple Cake is a comforting, moist dessert filled with juicy apples, cozy cinnamon spice, and a hint of crunch from pecans. It’s perfect for chilly evenings or fall gatherings and gets even better the next day. With no need for frosting, a light dusting of powdered sugar finishes it beautifully.
Ingredients
2 cups diced apples
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup raisins or currants (optional)
Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth.
4. Add oil and vanilla extract to the egg mixture and blend well.
5. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just combined (batter will be thick).
6. Fold in the apples, nuts, and raisins/currants if using.
7. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
8. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
10. Dust with powdered sugar once cooled. Slice and serve.
Notes
For extra flavor, mix Granny Smith with Honeycrisp apples.
The cake tastes better the next day—make it ahead!
Don’t overmix the batter—stir just until combined for a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg