Easy Apple Cake Recipe with Fresh Apples

Last Updated on April 12, 2022 by Ellen Christian

This easy apple cake recipe with fresh apples can be ready in an hour or less. It’s perfect for unexpected company and a delicious way to use up apples. 

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Every now and then, friends or family will call and say they’re stopping by unexpectedly. I like to have some sort of dessert to offer them along with coffee when they get here. I prefer not to buy ready-made frozen desserts from the store. So, instead, I have a few easy recipes I can have ready quickly like this quick easy apple cake. 

Quick Apple Cake Recipe for Unexpected Company

Easy Apple Cake Recipe

You could really make this quick apple cake recipe with a variety of fruits. It would work with pears, peaches, or nectarines provided you sliced them thin enough. You could use fresh berries in the summer if you want as well. It’s really just about what you have on hand.

I would recommend you start with fresh fruit. Frozen fruit would probably be too soft once it had cooked to hold its shape. I’ve also made this with dehydrated apple slices and it’s quite good that way too.

This recipe is similar to an upside-down apple cake recipe except the apples are on top so there is no flipping required. It’s one of my favorite easy apple cake recipes with fresh apples.

a wire basket of apples next to a cut apple on a cutting board

Frequently asked questions

What tools do I need to make this apple cinnamon cake recipe?

I find that an apple corer saves time when making this recipe.  You still need to slice the apples, but it’s much quicker when you can remove the core first.  

If you have an apple peeler and corer in one unit, you can literally have this recipe on the table in about 45 minutes from start to finish.

Quick Apple Cake Recipe for Unexpected Company

What’s the best baking apple for a cake?

There are several different types of apples that work well when making a cake. You want to choose an apple that retains some firmness even after you cook it.

Otherwise, the apple will be mushy. Why not try Jonagold, Pink Lady, Honey Crisp, Winesap, and Braeburn.

This quick apple cake recipe can be ready in an hour or less. It's perfect for unexpected company and a delicious way to use up apples. Try this fall recipe today.

Do you have to peel apples for apple cake?

You don’t have to peel apples to make this quick apple cake recipe. The peel gives the finished cake a bit of color and texture.

But, if you prefer to peel them, you certainly can. The final result is a light and fluffy cake that everyone will love.

How do I know if this cake is done?

Stick a knife in the center to test for doneness. If it comes out clean, it is done. If it isn’t clean, try 5 more minutes and test it again. 

Quick Apple Cake Recipe for Unexpected Company

What should I serve with this cake?

You can serve this with homemade whipped cream or a scoop of French vanilla ice cream. Or, enjoy it plain.

Finally, I found this recipe in the book Cherries in Winter – My Family’s Recipe for Hope in Hard Times by Suzan Colon. It’s loaded with inspiration and recipes for getting through tough times.

This recipe was reprinted with permission

baskets filled with different types of apples

Recipes like my quick apple cake recipe

What can I make with lots of apples? Try these recipes.

Yield: 8

Quick Apple Cake Recipe

This quick apple cake recipe can be ready in an hour or less. It's perfect for unexpected company and a delicious way to use up apples. Try this fall recipe today.

This quick apple cake recipe can be ready in an hour or less. It's perfect for unexpected company and a delicious way to use up apples. Try this fall recipe today.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup sifted flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter (plus about 1 tablespoon melted)
  • 2 apples, peeled & sliced
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a small bowl, beat the egg with the milk.
  3. Sift together into a second bowl the flour, baking powder, salt and tablespoon of sugar.
  4. Cut the butter or margarine into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture is the consistency of cornmeal.
  5. Stir in the egg and milk.
  6. Spread batter in a greased pan (8x8x2 or 8" tart pan).
  7. Press apple slices onto batter in rows.
  8. Brush top with part of the melted butter.
  9. Sprinkle with the combined sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and top with remaining melted butter.
  10. Bake in a quick oven until the cake leaves the side of the pan and is nicely browned on top, twenty-five minutes or more.
  11. Serve warm or cool cut in pieces.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 164Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 283mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 3g

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