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 mamawโs 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!
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.
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 ยฝ teaspoons of baking powder, and ยผ 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 325ยฐF. 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.
- Add flour and cinnamon and mix on medium-low speed.
- 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 5.7โx3.3โ 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
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.
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.
In cake recipes that donโt 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.
Yes. Here is a gluten-free, dairy-free recipe alternative from Mama Knows Gluten Free.
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 200-210ยฐF when fully cooked.
Other Easy Fall Cake Recipes:
Apple Dapple Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 ยฝ cups canola or vegetable oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 1 ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups peeled, chopped apples (honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Topping
- ยฝ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ยผ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ยฐF.ย
- 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. Add flour and cinnamon and mix on medium-low speed. Once combined, stir in apples, pecans and vanilla.ย
- Pour the batter into a buttered 13x9โ pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes.ย
- 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.
Video
Notes
- 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.
- This cake can also be made in a 12-cup bundt pan.
- Before pouring on the glaze, if desired, you can poke holes all over top of warm cake using a wooden skewer.
Vicky Millisor
Can you make this cake in a Bundt pan.
Laura Ashley
Yes, you can. The cake takes about 1 hr 15 minutes to 1 hr 30 minutes to cook through in a bundt pan.
Darice Baxter
Not sure what happened but I didnโt have a batter, I ended up with more akin to a very thick bread dough. Maybe my self rising flour is old?
Anywho, it was dense but still tasted awesome!!
Laura Ashley
It is a very thick batter, so you likely did it right. It would be โtoo thickโ is if the flour isnโt measured correctly (packed). Old flour could possibly have an impact as well. Iโm so happy you liked it!
Andrea
Hi,I've made this cake twice and it's now a favorite in our house. Could you tell me how long I would need to bake this in a mini loaf pan?
Laura Ashley
Thatโs WONDERFUL!!! Iโm SO excited that you made it not only once, but twice! YAY!! The time on the loaf will depend on the size of pan you use. We did mini loaves, about 4 inches wide, and I believe they were 35-40 minutes. Iโve made it as cakes so long, that I need to try the loaves again. Insert a cake tester to make sure ๐
Joan
Can you substitute butter for the oil?
Laura Ashley
Probably so, but I havenโt tried to say for sure.
Linda
Sounds delish!!!Was wondering if after you pour on the glaze, do you let it sit and cool? Or refrigerate for awhile?
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much! It can be stored at room temperature. I hope you loved it!
Jules
We love baking with apples and this cake was amazing. I loved how tender and moist it was.
Laura Ashley
This makes my heart so happy to hear! Thank you SO much!!
Debi
I like the simplicity of this cake. Easy to make and moist and delicious. My family has asked me to make it again.
Laura Ashley
This is wonderful, Debi!! Iโm so happy that you made it, everyone liked it, and that they want you to already make it again! Thank you!
Kathleen
My favorite apple cake recipe, just like my Grandma's that I had lost! Thank you!
Laura Ashley
Aww!! This makes my heart so happy to hear! I love that it turned out like your sweet Grandmas!! Thank you!!
Averey
This looks soooo good! Are you able to make it in just regular loaf pans and bake it that way?
Laura Ashley
You can definitely bake it in loaf pans. My mom used to make mini loaves for Christmas gifts. Just adjust the time. She left the glaze off of her loaves too.
Lynn
Delicious and so easy to make! I'll be trying pear next!
Laura Ashley
Awesome!! Iโm SO excited it was a hit and pear is amazing!!
Janelle
This is now a fall favorite must have! So yummy! Thanks for the recipe.
Laura Ashley
Youโre very welcome, and thank you SO much for making it and for your review! Makes my heart so happy that you liked it so much!
MS
I love this cake! It was moist and fluffy, and I love the chunks of nuts and apples in it. A keeper!!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO SO much!! Iโm so happy you made it and liked it so much!
KAREN W STILTS
Laura, you have the best recipes! Every recipe of yours that I have tried is delicious! This Apple Dapple Cake is a hit with family and friends. I think it is even better the next day, after the glaze soaks in overnight. Thank you very much!!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much, Karen!! This makes my heart so happy to hear! I love that you and your family liked it so much!
Jules
I accidentally bought some self-rising flour and didn't know what to do with it so was so excited to try this recipe. So moist and delicious and the apple flavor is perfect!
Laura Ashley
Oh that is WONDERFUL!! Iโm so excited that you made it and liked it so much!! I recommend trying my homemade buttermilk biscuits with that flour tooโฆI mean since you have it already on hand haha! Thank you for making it, for your review, and 5 star rating!
Janelle
Absolutely delicious cake! Everyone asked for the recipe!
Laura Ashley
Aww!! That makes my heart so happy to hear! THANK YOU!
Donna
Hi Laura. This is my favorite cake! Making it in small loaves for gifts is an excellent idea. Just want to clarify the size of small loaf pans. In the video it looks like you have 8 pans on the cookie sheet. Are those pans around 6x3 instead of 10.57x3.3? And is that one recipe or did you double?
Thank you!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!! Folks always love these as gifts. I noted under "tips and substitutions" the number of loaves I made with the size pan I used. You can use smaller pans and make more too. ๐
Beverley Kelly
Looks and sounds great!!
How many small loaves will this make if weโre using it as gifts?
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!! Folks always love these as gifts. I noted under "tips and substitutions" the number of loaves I made with the size pan I used. You can use smaller pans and make more too.
Jill Rose
Have you tried this as muffins?
Laura Ashley
I have, and they turn out great. I sometimes add the topping or just leave them plain. ๐
April
This was DELIGHTFULLY delicious! Thank you for giving me a new repeat recipe!
Laura Ashley
Aww!! Thank you!! SO happy to hear it'll be a repeat!
Amy
Oh yum! This cake was so easy to make and just homey and delicious and good! The recipe is definitely a keeper!
Laura Ashley
Aww!! That makes my heart so happy to hear!! Thank you!!
min
This apple dapple cake came out moist, soft and so flavorful! A+++!!!
Laura Ashley
With that score...I LOVE IT!! Thank you!!!
Kalie Hingson
I just love all of your recipes -
How many mini loaves does this recipe make? We have made the 9x13 and itโs amazing! I want to try the mini loaves to gift to coworkers!
Thank you so much!
Laura Ashley
Aww!! That means SO much to me! Thank you! I noted under tips and substitutions the loaf pan size I used and adjustments. I make 10 from it. Even smaller pans and you can make more ๐