Easy Apple Cake

You’ll love this easy apple cake that is deliciously moist, packed with fresh apples, and takes only 45 minutes from start to finish! This one-layer rustic cake is perfect for last-minute guests since there’s no need to let it cool completely—it only needs about 15 minutes. Enjoy a slice for breakfast, a cozy afternoon snack, or serve it with caramel sauce to turn it into the perfect decadent dessert.

I welcome fall with this tender, easy apple cake. It comes together so quickly that you’ll want to bake this delicious treat over and over again! You only need simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.

If you love my popular apple cake loaf, you’re going to enjoy this version just as much.

Key Differences in This Recipe

First, I found that using olive oil alone made the texture a little dense in this specific pan size. As I wanted a thin cake, I didn’t want to change the pan. Instead I added a little milk for the texture so it’s just a bit fluffier compared to the all-olive-oil version—don’t expect a sponge cake! It still keeps its wonderful moistness:)

Second, in my apple cake loaf, I use a combination of shredded and chopped apples. Here I use a combination of very small cubes and standard-sized cubes. Apple cubes are everywhere.

This cake is moist from the very beginning but reaches its ultra-moist flavor about 2 hours after baking. It is so moist that the powdered sugar I dust disappears after a few hours.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Easy Apple Cake

You can find the exact quantities at the bottom of my post, in the recipe card.

• Apples: I prefer using sweet apples such as Gala so I can cut back on the added sugar.
• All-purpose flour: This provides the structure for the cake.
• Baking powder: This acts as the leavening agent to help the cake rise.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg: These warm fall spices pair perfectly with apples.
• Salt: This is optional. It helps bring out all the flavors, but you can easily omit it if you prefer.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a depth of flavor.
• Granulated sugar: I use just enough sugar.
• Eggs: These bind the ingredients and give the cake structure.
• Olive oil: It gives moisture.
• Milk: This gives the cake a slightly softer, more tender texture compared to using olive oil alone.

Step By Step Instructions for Rustic Apple Cake

First I chop one of the apples into 0.2 inches (0.5cm) and other into almost 0.50 (1.25cm) cubes. They don’t have to be perfect cubes. 

Then I combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl.

Next I mix the eggs and sugar with a whisk until just combined.

I mix in the vanilla extract, milk and olive oil.

Later, I add the flour mixture over the wet mixture in two batches.  I start with a whisk and then continue to stir with a spoon.

Then I add the chopped apples, fold with a spoon.

Finally I place the mixture into a parchment paper lined 9 inch (23cm) pan. As this is a rustic cake, I simply crumple the parchment paper first and then press it to the pan well so it takes the shape of the pan.

However if you want very neat sides, you can line the parchment paper to the bottom.

It takes 28 to 30 minutes to bake. The toothpick should be clean when inserted to the center and the top should start to be getting lightly golden brown. Mine passed the toothpick test around 25 minutes but I added extra 3 minutes for the color. The top should completely set.

I keep it in the pan for 5 minutes and then I gently remove it from the pan with parchment paper to let it cool on a wire rack for almost 10 minutes before slicing.

If you don’t crumple and only line parchment paper to the bottom, you should run a thin plastic spatula around the inside edge of the pan to release the cake. Then you should invert the cake onto a plate first and then place it on a wire rack. 

After 10 minutes, I invert the cake on a plate, remove the parchment paper and then place it on my cake stand. I prefer dusting powdered sugar to keep it on the light side. As this cake is very moist, the powdered sugar will melt after 2-3 hours.

If you prefer, you can drizzle caramel sauce to take it into another level.

Enjoy!