39 Irresistible Apple Cake Recipes to Sweeten Your Fall Baking

Welcome to Apple Cake Heaven!

There’s something magical about the aroma of apples and cinnamon wafting through your kitchen on a crisp fall day. If you’re searching for the perfect apple cake recipe to satisfy your autumn baking cravings, you’ve hit the jackpot! I’ve gathered 39 mouthwatering apple cake recipes that range from classic favorites to innovative creations you may have never tried before.

As an avid baker, I’ve found that apple cakes are among the most versatile desserts – they work beautifully for casual family gatherings, elegant dinner parties, or simply as a special treat with your afternoon coffee. What I love most about these recipes is how they transform simple ingredients into something truly extraordinary. The natural sweetness of apples pairs perfectly with warm spices, creating desserts that are comforting yet impressive.

So grab those apples from your counter (or plan a fun apple picking trip!), preheat your oven, and let’s dive into these irresistible apple cake creations!

1. Easy Apple Sheet Cake

This Easy Apple Sheet Cake is the perfect solution when you need to feed a crowd with minimal effort. The cake batter comes together in just minutes, and the tender crumb studded with fresh apple chunks creates the perfect balance of moist cake and fruit in every bite. I especially love how the cinnamon-sugar topping creates a slightly crisp, sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake beneath.

2. Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

This Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake takes the humble apple cake to new heights with a decadent salted caramel drizzle that will have everyone asking for seconds. The sweet-salty combination creates an irresistible flavor profile that perfectly complements the tender apple-studded cake beneath. It’s sophisticated enough for special occasions but simple enough to make on a whim when the craving strikes.

3. Apple Crumble Cake

This Apple Crumble Cake brilliantly combines two beloved desserts: a tender apple cake and a crisp, buttery crumble topping. Each bite delivers the perfect textural contrast between the soft, spiced cake layer and the crunchy, cinnamon-laced crumble. It’s the ultimate comfort dessert that works equally well as a special breakfast treat or an after-dinner indulgence with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

4. Gluten-Free Apple Cake

Finally, a gluten-free apple cake that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture! This recipe uses a carefully tested blend of gluten-free flours to create a tender, moist cake that everyone will enjoy—whether they avoid gluten or not. The generous amount of fresh apples ensures each slice is packed with fruit flavor and natural sweetness, making it a perfect option for those with dietary restrictions who still want to enjoy seasonal baking.

5. Vegan Apple Cake

This Vegan Apple Cake proves that plant-based baking can be just as delicious as traditional recipes. Using clever substitutions like applesauce and plant-based milk, this cake achieves an incredibly moist texture while remaining completely dairy and egg-free. The warm spices and abundant apple pieces create a dessert that’s both comforting and impressive—perfect for serving to mixed groups where some guests may have dietary restrictions.

6. Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

This show-stopping Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake features a gorgeous pattern of caramelized apple slices that reveal themselves when the cake is inverted. The caramel creates a rich, sticky topping that seeps slightly into the cake, creating pockets of gooey sweetness throughout. It’s a dramatic dessert that looks like it took hours to perfect but actually comes together with surprising ease—ideal for impressing guests at your next dinner party.

7. French Apple Cake

The elegant simplicity of this French Apple Cake is what makes it truly special. With a higher ratio of apples to batter, this rustic cake showcases the fruit beautifully while remaining light and delicate in texture. A touch of rum adds sophisticated flavor that elevates this humble cake to something truly memorable. Perfect for those who appreciate subtle, not-too-sweet desserts that let quality ingredients shine.

8. Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting combines warm autumn spices with the bright tanginess of cream cheese for an irresistible flavor combination. The cake itself is incredibly moist thanks to freshly grated apples that practically melt into the batter during baking. Topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, this cake strikes the perfect balance between homey comfort and special-occasion indulgence—making it ideal for fall birthdays or holiday gatherings.

9. Apple Cider Donut Cake

Capture the beloved flavor of apple orchard donut stands with this Apple Cider Donut Cake! This bundt cake perfectly recreates the distinctive taste of apple cider donuts with concentrated apple cider in the batter and a generous coating of cinnamon sugar on the exterior. Each slice delivers that signature sweet-spicy flavor and tender crumb that makes apple cider donuts so irresistible—but in a more elegant, sliceable form perfect for serving at brunches.

10. German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)

This authentic German Apfelkuchen brings old-world charm to your dessert table with its beautiful pattern of overlapping apple slices atop a light, buttery cake base. The simple dusting of cinnamon sugar creates a delicate sweetness that allows the natural flavor of the apples to take center stage. It’s less sweet than many American cakes, making it perfect for afternoon coffee or as a not-too-indulgent dessert after a hearty meal.

11. Jewish Apple Cake

This traditional Jewish Apple Cake features alternating layers of cinnamon-sugar kissed apples and vanilla-scented batter that create a beautiful marble effect when sliced. Made with oil instead of butter, this cake has a remarkably moist texture that actually improves over a day or two. It’s perfect for holidays or special gatherings, especially since it’s naturally dairy-free and can be enjoyed after meals that contain meat in kosher households.

12. Amish Apple Cake

This heritage Amish Apple Cake recipe delivers old-fashioned goodness with its incredible moisture and rich brown sugar flavor. The abundance of fresh apples ensures every bite contains fruit, while the simple ingredients create a deeply satisfying, homestyle taste that feels like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen. Perfect for potlucks or family gatherings, this unpretentious cake needs no frosting or fancy decorations to make a lasting impression.

13. Apple Bundt Cake with Cider Glaze

This elegant Apple Bundt Cake delivers spectacular fall flavor in a beautiful shape that needs minimal decoration. The concentrated apple cider glaze adds a punch of tangy sweetness that soaks partially into the warm cake, creating an irresistible moist texture with a slightly crisp exterior. It’s sophisticated enough for special occasions but easy enough for weekend baking sessions when you’re craving something special.

14. Apple Dump Cake

When you need dessert with almost zero effort, this Apple Dump Cake delivers incredible results with just a handful of ingredients. The magic happens as the cake mix combines with butter to create a golden, crispy topping over tender, cinnamon-spiced apples that bubble away underneath. It’s the perfect last-minute dessert for unexpected guests or busy weeknights when you want something warm and comforting without the fuss.

15. No-Bake Apple Cheesecake

This No-Bake Apple Cheesecake is a game-changer for hot days when you can’t bear to turn on the oven. The silky cream cheese filling is infused with apple flavor and topped with a glossy layer of spiced apple compote that makes this dessert as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for make-ahead entertaining, this cheesecake actually benefits from overnight refrigeration as the flavors meld and deepen.

16. Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping

This Apple Coffee Cake boasts a thick layer of cinnamon-brown sugar streusel that creates an irresistible crunchy crown atop a tender, apple-studded cake. The contrast between the buttery streusel and the moist vanilla cake makes each bite a perfect balance of textures and flavors. It’s ideal for brunch gatherings or as a special weekend breakfast treat that pairs beautifully with your morning coffee.

17. Italian Apple Cake (Torta di Mele)

This rustic Italian Apple Cake (Torta di Mele) embodies Mediterranean simplicity with its light, airy texture and subtle sweetness. The characteristic fan pattern of apple slices on top creates a beautiful presentation while allowing the fresh fruit flavor to take center stage. A light dusting of powdered sugar is all this elegant cake needs as a finishing touch, making it perfect for those who appreciate understated, authentic European desserts.

18. Apple Pound Cake

This Apple Pound Cake delivers the perfect balance of dense, buttery richness and bright apple flavor in each slice. The traditional pound cake texture gets a wonderful upgrade with tender chunks of apple and warm spices throughout, creating a substantial dessert that feels both decadent and homey. The tight crumb makes it ideal for slicing thinly and serving alongside afternoon tea or as a not-too-sweet ending to a special meal.

19. Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka)

This traditional Swedish Äppelkaka walks the delightful line between cake and crumble with its unique texture and generous apple filling. The cardamom-spiced cake layers sandwich sweet-tart apples, creating a dessert that’s both familiar and excitingly different from American apple desserts. Served warm with a dollop of vanilla sauce or ice cream, it’s the perfect complement to a cozy evening by the fire during the chillier months.

20. Caramel Apple Crumb Cake

This Caramel Apple Crumb Cake elevates the humble coffee cake to new heights with layers of tender cake, sweet apples, and a generous blanket of buttery crumb topping. The crowning glory is a luscious caramel drizzle that adds richness and a beautiful finishing touch. Perfect for special brunches or when you want to impress guests without hours in the kitchen, this cake delivers big flavor with relatively simple preparation.

21. Apple Dapple Cake

This old-fashioned Apple Dapple Cake earns its quirky name from the way the cake “dapples” during baking as the apple chunks create pockets throughout the batter. What makes this cake truly special is the brown sugar glaze poured over the still-warm cake, creating a sticky-sweet coating that seeps partially into the cake for incredible moisture and flavor. It’s a heritage recipe that has stood the test of time for good reason!

22. Healthy Applesauce Cake

This Healthy Applesauce Cake proves that wholesome ingredients can create truly delicious desserts without compromise. Using whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners, and plenty of homemade applesauce, this cake delivers wonderful apple flavor and moisture with significantly less sugar and fat than traditional recipes. It’s perfect for sneaking some nutrition into dessert time or for enjoying as a not-too-indulgent breakfast cake alongside your morning coffee.

23. Raw Apple Cake

This nostalgic Raw Apple Cake gets its name from the generous amount of fresh, uncooked apples folded into the simple batter before baking. The result is an incredibly moist cake with distinct pieces of apple in every bite, creating a wonderful textural contrast to the tender crumb. A hint of warming spices enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit, making this unfussy cake a perfect treat for casual gatherings or weeknight desserts.

24. Cinnamon Roll Apple Cake

This innovative Cinnamon Roll Apple Cake combines two beloved treats into one showstopping dessert. The cake mimics the spiral pattern and flavor profile of cinnamon rolls while incorporating tender apple pieces throughout. Topped with a cream cheese glaze, each slice delivers the comforting flavors of a cinnamon roll with the fruity goodness of apple cake—making it perfect for special brunches or when you want to wow guests with something uniquely delicious.

25. Apple Layer Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

This show-stopping Apple Layer Cake is the ultimate celebration dessert for apple season, featuring tender spiced cake layers separated by apple filling and enveloped in luscious salted caramel frosting. The combination of textures and flavors creates a sophisticated dessert that’s worthy of special occasions but approachable enough for home bakers to master. The dramatic drip of additional caramel sauce creates a professional-looking finish that will have everyone reaching for their cameras before diving in.

Apple Cake Recipes to Try This Season

There’s truly an apple cake for every occasion, preference, and skill level in this collection! From quick and easy sheet cakes to impressive layer cakes worthy of special celebrations, these recipes showcase the versatility of apples in baking.

Don’t forget to bookmark this page for easy reference throughout apple season. Which apple cake will you try first? I’d love to hear about your baking adventures in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this collection, be sure to check out my other seasonal recipe roundups, like pumpkin desserts or cozy fall soups. And for the latest recipes delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my weekly newsletter using the form below.

Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cake Recipes

What are the best apples to use in apple cake?

Firm, tart-sweet apples generally work best in cake recipes since they hold their shape during baking and provide balanced flavor. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith are excellent choices that won’t turn mushy. For the best results, consider using a mix of apple varieties to create complexity of flavor in your cake.

Can I freeze apple cake?

Most apple cakes freeze beautifully! To freeze, allow the cake to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil or place in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Note that glazed or frosted cakes may change texture slightly after freezing, so consider freezing the cake unfrosted when possible.

How do I keep my apple cake moist?

The secret to a moist apple cake is not overbaking it and properly storing it once cooled. Check for doneness a few minutes before the recipe suggests, as ovens vary. Once baked, store your cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Adding a piece of bread to the storage container can help maintain moisture levels in the cake.

Can I reduce the sugar in apple cake recipes?

You can typically reduce the sugar in apple cake recipes by about 25% without significantly affecting the texture or rise. The natural sweetness from the apples helps compensate for the reduced sugar. However, sugar does more than sweeten—it adds moisture and affects the structure of the cake, so I don’t recommend reducing it by more than one-third. For a healthier option, try the Healthy Applesauce Cake in this collection, which was specifically developed with less refined sugar.