Apple Dapple Cake

Published Dec 4, 2023 | Updated Mar 17, 2024 | By Laura

This old fashioned cake loaded with fresh apples and nuts and topped with a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze is an excellent dessert for a special occasion or holiday get-together!

This Apple Dapple cake recipe has been passed down for generations in my family and is at every family get-together. We also make this cake as mini loaves of bread (without the glaze) to give as gifts to neighbors and friends. The smell and first bite transports you straight to mamaw’s house at the holidays and brings back such sweet memories.

Loaded with fruit and nuts, the batter seems thicker than a typical cake batter. However, once it's baked, it comes out incredibly light, moist and tender! It's amazing eating it by itself with a cup of milk or coffee, but it can also be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top! It's a perfect dessert year-round, but especially in the fall!

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Table of Contents

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Simple to Whip Together: Other than fresh apples, it has mostly basic ingredients you're likely to have in your pantry and refrigerator. It also only has a few easy steps to make!
Signals the Arrival of Fall: The aroma and tastes of apples and cinnamon brings those cozy autumn feels!
It's Moist, Fluffy, Buttery, Tart and Sweet: Apple Dapple Cake is the perfect blend of all the flavors and textures you look for in a slice of cake.
Best Apple Cake You'll Ever Eat: There are a lot of apple-based cakes, but this one takes the cake! It's perfectly moist, perfectly spiced and perfectly delicious!

What is an Apple Dapple Cake?

The Apple Dapple Cake is a popular old fashioned apple cake that is popular across the United States, especially in the south. It's known for its sweet, spiced flavor and brown sugar icing or glaze. Some liken it to an apple crumb cake, but there are distinct differences. Its exact origin is unknown, nonetheless, it's a legend!

Tart Apples for Old Fashioned Apple Cake

Apples that lend a more tart flavor with a hint of sweetness and keep their shape during the baking process works best in this cake. I recommend using Granny Smith or honey crisp as they meet these qualifications perfectly. However, other varieties that could work as well are cosmic crisp, gala, Braeburn or Jonagold apples.

Laura holding a saucer with a slice of apple dapple cake on it.

What is Self-Rising Flour?

Self-rising flour is a type of flour that is commonly used in baking, particularly in recipes for biscuits, pancakes, and certain types of quick breads. It is called "self-rising" because it contains leavening agents, typically baking powder and sometimes salt, which are already mixed into the flour. These leavening agents help the baked goods rise and become fluffy without the need for additional yeast or baking soda.

If a recipe (like this one) calls for self-rising flour, and you don't have any on hand, you can make your own by combining all-purpose flour with baking powder and salt. The ratio is for every 1 cup of self-rising flour, you can use 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Ingredients in Apple Dapple Cake

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

Canola or Vegetable Oil: A neutral fat, these oils contribute to the texture, moisture and overall quality of the cake while allowing the cake's flavors to shine.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness, moisture and tenderness to the cake
Eggs: Gives stability and structure to the cake as well as helps the cake rise. It also adds tenderness, moisture and flavor.
Self-Rising Flour: Flour that already includes the leavening agents for the cake and enhances the cake's flavors.
Cinnamon: Imparts a sweet and slightly spicy flavor to the cake as well as makes this cake and your home smell amazing!
Vanilla: Both an aromatic to this cake as well as enhancement to all of the flavors.
Apples: Adds the perfect texture as well as sweetness and tartness to the cake.
Pecans: These add a rich, nutty flavor as well as depth and complexity to the cake.
Butter (not pictured): Adds a rich, creamy, luxurious flavor to the glaze.
Brown Sugar (not pictured): Gives the glaze a rich, slightly molasses-like flavor.
Milk (not pictured): Helps the glaze achieve the perfect texture and creaminess.

Tools You'll Need

How to Make Apple Dapple Cake Recipe

Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter a 13"x9" baking dish.
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, whip together oil and sugar until well combined, about 1 minute. Add eggs, and mix an additional minute.

Whipping together wet ingredients for a cake in the mixer.

Add flour and cinnamon and mix on medium-low speed.

The dry ingredients about to be mixed into wet ingredients for a cake in a mixer.

Once combined, stir in apples, pecans and vanilla.

Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes. When 5 minutes remains on the cake, mix together butter, brown sugar and milk in a small saucepan. Boil 3 minutes, then pour evenly over the hot cake.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

The pecans can be swapped with walnuts. They can also be omitted if nuts aren't desired.
The apples can diced to your size preference. They can be finely diced up to a larger chop, slightly smaller than the size of a dice.
Before pouring on the glaze, if desired, you can poke holes all over top of warm cake using a wooden skewer.
This cake can also be made in a 12-cup bundt pan or into mini loaves. It will take 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes for a bundt cake. It will take 50-55 minutes in 10 5.7”x3.3” loaf pans.

Storage and Freezing

Store leftover cake and at room temperature for up to three to five days. It can be eaten at room temperature or reheat in the microwave 10-15 seconds. Be careful as the glaze can get very hot!

For longer term storage, this cake can also be frozen. Simply wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap to seal out any air and moisture. You can also double-wrap it with aluminum foil for extra protection. Store the cake in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to enjoy it again, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

FAQs

Can this cake be made in a bundt pan or loaf pan?

Yes, this recipe for apple dapple cake turns out beautifully in a bundt pan! Ensure your pan holds at least 12 cups and is greased very well, in all of the crevices, before pouring in the batter. The bake time will be the same.

What kind of apples are best for apple dapple cake?

Can I use applesauce to sweeten this recipe?

In cake recipes that don’t depend on the creaming properties of the fat for structure, applesauce can be substituted for some of the oil. It is generally recommended to swap no more than 20-50% of the oil that's called for with applesauce.

Can this cake be gluten-free or dairy-free?

Yes. Here is a gluten-free, dairy-free recipe alternative from Mama Knows Gluten Free.

How can I ensure my cake is fully cooked?

Start by following the recipe instructions closely. Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it, the cake is done. If you see wet batter, the cake needs more time. Some bakers prefer to use a cake thermometer. For most cakes, the internal temperature should reach around 200-210°F when fully cooked.

Other Easy Fall Cake Recipes:

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