Ingredients
For the Cake Batter
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, optional
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for tossing the diced apples
For the Apple Topping
- 3–4 medium apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
For the Finish
- 1–2 tablespoons apricot jam or honey, slightly warmed, optional
- Powdered sugar, for serving, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round springform pan with butter or nonstick spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
If your springform pan tends to leak, wrap the outside bottom with aluminum foil to help prevent any batter from escaping.
2. Prepare the Apples
Wash and dry all the apples.
For the apples that will go inside the cake, peel and core them, then cut them into small bite-sized cubes.
Place the diced apples in a bowl and toss them with 1 tablespoon of flour. This helps prevent the apple pieces from sinking completely to the bottom of the cake.
For the topping, thinly slice the remaining apples into beautiful half-moon slices.
Toss the slices gently with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Set them aside while you prepare the batter.
3. Make the Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and granulated sugar.
Using a whisk or electric mixer, beat for about 2–3 minutes, until the mixture becomes lighter in color and slightly fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and vegetable oil. Mix until smooth.
Pour in the milk and gently mix again until everything is well combined.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg, if using
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix gently just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix, because overmixing can make the cake dense instead of soft.
5. Add the Apples
Add the flour-coated diced apples to the batter.
Using a spatula, gently fold them through the batter until they are evenly distributed.
The finished batter should be thick, creamy, and filled with small pieces of apple.
6. Fill the Cake Pan
Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan.
Use a spatula to gently spread the batter into an even layer.
Tap the pan very lightly on the counter once or twice to remove any large air pockets.
7. Arrange the Apple Slices
Now arrange the thin apple slices on top of the batter.
Start around the outside edge and work your way toward the center, slightly overlapping each slice.
Create a beautiful circular or flower-like pattern.
Brush the apples lightly with melted butter for a richer golden finish.
8. Bake
Place the cake in the preheated oven.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 50–65 minutes.
The exact baking time can vary depending on your oven and how juicy the apples are.
The cake is ready when:
- The top is deeply golden.
- The apples are caramelized around the edges.
- A toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- The center feels set when gently pressed.
If the top becomes too dark before the center is completely baked, loosely cover the cake with aluminum foil during the final 15–20 minutes.
9. Cool the Cake
Remove the cake from the oven and place it on a cooling rack.
Let it cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes.
Carefully remove the springform ring and allow the cake to cool further.
For an especially clean slice, let the cake cool for at least 45–60 minutes before cutting.
10. Add a Beautiful Finish
For a glossy bakery-style appearance, gently warm 1–2 tablespoons of apricot jam or honey.
Brush a very thin layer over the caramelized apple slices.
This gives the apples a beautiful shine and enhances their golden appearance.
You can also dust the completely cooled cake with a little powdered sugar before serving.
🍎 Serving
Slice the apple cake into wedges and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
It is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
- Caramel sauce
- A drizzle of honey
- A cup of hot coffee
- Tea or warm milk
Storage
Store the cooled cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day, or refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
Allow refrigerated slices to come closer to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Enjoy this soft, fruity, golden homemade apple cake! 🍎🍰