As someone who loves the cozy, comforting flavors of apple desserts, I’ve put together a collection of 50+ irresistible apple cake recipes that are perfect for any occasion.
From traditional classics like cinnamon apple cake and fresh apple cake to creative twists like apple lavender galette and apple bottom bourbon pecan cheesecake, there’s a recipe here to satisfy every craving.
Whether you’re looking for something quick and simple or a show-stopping dessert, these apple cake varieties will have you reaching for your baking tools in no time!
1. Cinnamon Apple Cake Recipe
This classic cinnamon apple cake is moist, fragrant, and packed with apple chunks and warm spices. A perfect fall dessert that pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee.
2. Fresh Apple Cake Recipe
Made with fresh apples, this cake is soft, tender, and filled with apple flavor. It’s a simple yet satisfying dessert perfect for any apple lover.
3. Apple Bread Recipe
Though it’s technically a bread, this apple loaf is as moist and sweet as a cake. Packed with grated apples and warm spices, it’s perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.
4. German Apple Walnut Cake
This traditional German apple cake features crunchy walnuts, adding a delightful texture to the soft apple filling and spiced cake.
5. German Apple Cream Cheese Cake
Rich and creamy, this cake combines tart apples with a smooth cream cheese layer, creating a wonderfully balanced dessert.
6. German Apple Yogurt Cake
A lighter option, this German apple yogurt cake is fluffy, tangy, and moist. The yogurt adds a touch of tartness, which complements the sweetness of the apples.
7. German Apple Maple Cake
This version of German apple cake gets its unique flavor from the addition of maple syrup, adding warmth and sweetness to the spiced apple filling.
8. German Apple Almond Cake
The addition of almond flour gives this cake a delicate, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the tartness of the apples.
9. German Apple Pecan Cake
Pecans add a crunchy texture and a rich, buttery flavor to this German apple cake. It’s perfect for a cozy fall dessert.
10. German Apple Rum Cake
A boozy twist on the classic, this German apple rum cake features rum-soaked apples baked into a moist, flavorful cake.
11. Apple Cider Doughnut Cake
Inspired by the popular fall doughnut, this apple cider doughnut cake is packed with apple cider flavor and coated in cinnamon sugar for that nostalgic taste.
12. Apple Bottom Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake
This decadent dessert combines tart apples, rich bourbon, crunchy pecans, and creamy cheesecake for a show-stopping treat.
13. Apple Lavender Galette
For a more elegant twist, this apple lavender galette combines the floral notes of lavender with the sweetness of baked apples in a rustic, open-faced tart.
14. Applesauce Coffee Cake
Moist and subtly sweet, this applesauce coffee cake is light yet flavorful, with a crumbly streusel topping that adds a bit of texture.
15. Applesauce Walnut Cake
Applesauce makes this cake incredibly moist while the walnuts add crunch and depth. Perfect for a simple afternoon treat.
16. Apple Crisp Cookie Cups
These apple crisp cookie cups are a fun twist on traditional apple crisp. The soft cookie base is filled with warm apple filling and topped with a buttery oat crumble.
17. Apple Loaf Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze
This apple loaf cake is extra moist, thanks to the apples, and is finished with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese glaze that elevates it to the next level.
18. Apple Cider Cupcakes
These apple cider cupcakes are light and airy, with a sweet apple cider flavor and a hint of cinnamon, topped with a creamy frosting.
19. Jewish Apple Cake Recipe
A traditional recipe that features layers of sweet apples and cinnamon, this Jewish apple cake is dense, moist, and bursting with fall flavors.
20. Salted Caramel Apple Crumb Cake
The perfect balance of sweet and salty, this cake features layers of tender apples, buttery crumb topping, and gooey salted caramel.
21. Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake
This cake turns out beautifully with caramelized apples on top of a fluffy vanilla cake. Each bite has the perfect balance of sweet caramel and tart apples.
22. Apple Spice Bundt Cake
A bundt cake with the perfect combination of spiced apples and a tender crumb. The bundt shape makes it an elegant dessert centerpiece.
23. Apple Sour Cream Cake
This sour cream apple cake is moist and tangy with a rich flavor, complemented by chunks of baked apples and a cinnamon sugar topping.
24. Dutch Apple Cake
This rustic Dutch apple cake is light, airy, and filled with juicy apple slices, perfect for enjoying with tea or coffee.
25. Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
This coffee cake features layers of apple slices and a sweet, crumbly streusel topping that adds a delightful crunch.
26. Apple Butter Cake
A rich and dense cake made with homemade or store-bought apple butter, giving it a deep, concentrated apple flavor.
27. Apple Carrot Cake
Combining apples and carrots, this cake is both nutritious and delicious. The natural sweetness of the apples complements the earthy flavors of the carrots perfectly.
28. Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake
A cross between cinnamon rolls and apple cake, this dessert combines gooey cinnamon-sugar apples with a soft cake base, topped with a sweet glaze.
29. Apple Crumble Cake
This cake is topped with a buttery crumble, adding a crispy texture that contrasts perfectly with the soft, spiced apple cake underneath.
30. Apple Ricotta Cake
This Italian-inspired apple cake is made with ricotta cheese, giving it a light and fluffy texture while still being rich and flavorful.
31. Apple Oat Cake
A healthy and hearty cake made with oats, apples, and a hint of cinnamon, perfect for breakfast or as a guilt-free dessert.
32. Caramel Apple Cheesecake
A creamy cheesecake layered with caramelized apples and topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce for a truly indulgent dessert.
33. Apple Buttermilk Cake
This light and tender buttermilk cake is full of apple chunks and spiced with cinnamon for a comforting, homey dessert.
34. Spiced Apple and Pear Cake
Combining the flavors of apples and pears, this spiced cake is a delightful way to enjoy the bounty of fall fruits.
35. Apple Honey Cake
This moist and sweet apple honey cake is perfect for Rosh Hashanah or any time you want a naturally sweet, comforting dessert.
36. French Apple Cake
A simple and elegant French apple cake with a custard-like texture and just the right amount of sweetness.
37. Apple Cranberry Cake
Tart cranberries add a burst of color and flavor to this moist apple cake, making it perfect for the holiday season.
38. Apple and Walnut Upside-Down Cake
This upside-down cake features caramelized apple slices and crunchy walnuts, creating a perfect contrast of textures.
39. Apple Almond Cake
Ground almonds give this cake a wonderful texture and nutty flavor, which pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the apples.
40. Maple Glazed Apple Cake
Drizzled with a sweet maple glaze, this moist apple cake is perfect for fall and has a rich, autumnal flavor.
41. Spiced Apple and Ginger Cake
This cake combines the warming flavors of ginger and cinnamon with chunks of fresh apple for a spiced, fragrant dessert.
42. Apple Fig Cake
Sweet figs and apples combine in this moist cake, creating a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
43. Apple and Plum Cake
Juicy plums and tart apples make this cake a vibrant and delicious way to enjoy seasonal fruits.
44. Apple Hazelnut Cake
The crunch of hazelnuts pairs perfectly with the softness of baked apples in this rich and flavorful cake.
45. Apple Polenta Cake
Polenta adds a unique texture to this rustic apple cake, making it a great option for those looking for something different.
46. Caramel Apple Pound Cake
This dense and buttery pound cake is filled with apple chunks and topped with a luscious caramel glaze.
47. Spiced Apple Olive Oil Cake
This light olive oil cake is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, with apples adding a burst of moisture and flavor.
48. Apple and Pecan Crumb Cake
A soft apple cake topped with a pecan-studded crumb, this cake is both crunchy and moist—perfect for fall.
49. Apple Peanut Butter Cake
The combination of apples and peanut butter makes this cake a fun, nostalgic treat that both kids and adults will love.
50. Apple Pumpkin Cake
Combining two fall favorites—apples and pumpkin—this cake is moist, spiced, and full of seasonal flavor.
51. Apple Chocolate Chip Cake
For chocolate lovers, this apple cake is studded with chocolate chips, combining the sweetness of apples with rich chocolate.
52. Apple Cider Cake with Maple Frosting
This cake captures the essence of fall with apple cider in the batter and a maple frosting that takes it to the next level.
Best Apples to Use in Your Apple Cake Recipes
Choosing the right type of apple can make a huge difference in your cakes. Different apple varieties bring unique flavors and textures, and some hold up better during baking than others. Here’s a quick guide to help you pick the perfect apples for your recipe:
1. Granny Smith Apples
Known for their tartness and firm texture, Granny Smith apples are ideal for cakes where you want a slight tang to balance out the sweetness, like in the Salted Caramel Apple Crumb Cake or Apple Lavender Galette.
2. Honeycrisp Apples
Sweet and incredibly crisp, Honeycrisp apples add a delightful crunch and a juicy sweetness to any cake. They work perfectly in Fresh Apple Cake or Apple Streusel Coffee Cake where you want the apple flavor to really shine.
3. Gala Apples
Mildly sweet with a thin skin, Gala apples are a great choice for recipes where you want a soft, tender apple texture, like in the Applesauce Coffee Cake or Apple Ricotta Cake.
4. Fuji Apples
Fuji apples are super sweet and hold up well during baking. Their firm texture makes them great for cakes like the Apple Walnut Upside-Down Cake or Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake.
5. Pink Lady Apples
Pink Lady apples are tart yet sweet, with a firm flesh that stays intact when baked. These apples are perfect for the German Apple Walnut Cake or Apple Sour Cream Cake, adding a nice balance of flavors.
6. Golden Delicious Apples
Golden Delicious apples are mild and sweet, and they soften beautifully in cakes without turning mushy. Use them in recipes like Jewish Apple Cake or Dutch Apple Cake for a smooth texture.
Conclusion
I hope this collection of apple cake recipes inspires you to get into the kitchen and start baking.
Whether you’re a fan of the classics or enjoy trying new and unique flavors, there’s something here for everyone.
Apple cakes are not only delicious, but they also bring warmth and nostalgia to the table.
So go ahead, pick your favorite recipe, and enjoy the wonderful aroma and taste of homemade apple cake. Happy baking!
