Fall

Apple Cake for the Masses

by:
October 14, 2010
4
1 Ratings
  • Serves 8-10
Author Notes

This Apple Cake recipe was passed along to me at my bridal shower by sister in law. It's my husband's favorite birthday cake, much to the chagrin of my chocolate loving daughters. It doesn't require a mixer, so it's an easy recipe to make in a kitchen with limited equipment. I've upped the spices and started baking it in a round pan (instead of the original square). It got its name from a recent synagogue dinner where I made 8 of this cake to great acclaim. This cake must be cooked through or it tastes raw. It gets better with age (within reason). As noted below, I have recently stopped adding raisings and have started adding a sprinkle of raw sugar to the top - creates a lovely top. Enjoy! - allie —allie

Test Kitchen Notes

I loved this cake! And my dinner guests did too, as expressed by the delighted comments that managed to sneak out amidst the very concentrated munching. It's wonderfully easy to make, and just as (dangerously!) easy to eat. Moist but not too dense, full of warm fall spices, and quite sweet but not at all cloying. The best part, I thought, was the abundance of apple chunks in every bite. This is truly a cake that's about the apples, just as you hope an apple cake would be. This will definitely become a go-to cake in my household. - fiveandspice —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 cups apple, diced
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil (like grapeseed oil)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1.5 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • a pinch ginger, cloves, nutmeg and/or allspice (use whatever combination you like)
  • 1/2 cup raisins (OPTIONAL)
  • 1 tablespoon raw sugar (or maple sugar)(optional)
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a round 8 inch cake pan with pam and line bottom with parchment paper. If you double recipe, use 9x13 pan or just make 2 cakes.
  2. Combine apples and sugar in a large bowl. Let sit 10 minutes.
  3. Beat eggs, oil and vanilla with a whisk (I do it in measuring cup I use for oil). Add to apples (use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix).
  4. Stir together all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add gradually to apple mixture with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add raisins (if using) and mix again. Batter will be thick. Sprinkle top generously with raw sugar (if using).
  5. Bake 35-40 min at 350 -- it may take longer-- test with a toothpick - until top is brown, feels firm and the sides of cake pull away. This is a cake you should not undercook.
  6. Before serving, can sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • sarabclever
    sarabclever
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • allie
    allie

4 Reviews

sarabclever September 22, 2011
I will definitely try this--from time to time we have a glut of apples and this would be a nice change from my default of applesauce or apple pie!
 
allie November 29, 2010
Am delighted the cake is now an editors pick -- you can also add more apples than the 2 cups suggested. I sometimes do.
 
AntoniaJames October 19, 2010
Nice!!!
 
allie October 19, 2010
Thank you -- a recent food52 recipe (http://www.food52.com/recipes/1406_the_pumpkin_bread_i_cant_stop_eating) has inspired me next time to try it with olive oil or perhaps use a bit of walnut or almond oil in the mix as well (I think all walnut oil etc would be too much). Will report back once I do.