Apple Dapple Cake

This Apple Dapple Cake is a deliciously moist and fluffy dessert packed with chunks of fresh apples, cinnamon sugar, and a buttery crumb topping. This classic recipe is perfect for any occasion.

slice of apple dapple cake on a plate.

This cake is also extremely versatile and can be enjoyed as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or even a comforting dessert. The combination of fresh apples and warm cinnamon makes for the perfect fall flavor, but it’s also great all year round.

uncut apple dapple cake in a baking dish.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make which means it’s perfect for any day of the week.
  • It’s perfect for any occasion
  • Versatile – can be enjoyed as breakfast, snack, or dessert.
  • Bursting with fresh apple and warm cinnamon flavors.

🛒Ingredients

cinnamon, vanilla, flour, baking soda, sugar, salt, eggs, butter, apples, vegetable oil, heavy whipping cream, brown sugar and nutmeg on a counter.

You only need simple ingredients to help you make this sweet apple recipe. Grab these ingredients on your next trip to the grocery store so you can enjoy this apple cake.

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking soda
  • ground cinnamon
  • ground nutmeg
  • salt
  • vegetable oil
  • granulated sugar
  • brown sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • large eggs
  • apples, peeled and chopped into ½-inch chunks

Frosting:

  • butter
  • brown sugar
  • granulated sugar
  • heavy cream
  • vanilla extract

See the recipe card below for quantities.

🔪 How to Make Apple Dabble Cake

Making this apple cake is so simple. Just follow these step-by-step directions and you will have a sweet cake in no time at all.

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare your baking pan

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.

flour, cinnamon , baking soda in a sifter held over a bowl.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; set aside.

butter, sugar, and eggs being beaten with a hand mixer in a mixing bowl.

Step 3: Cream the wet ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed. Beat in the vanilla and the eggs one at a time.

flour mixture being added to the apple cake batter with a hand mixer in a bowl.

Step 4: Finish the cake batter

Add the dry mixture a little at a time, mixing well between each addition. Note: the batter will be very thick. Using a sturdy wooden spoon, fold the apples into the batter.

baked apple dapple cake in a baking dish.

Step 5: Bake the cake

Spread into the prepared 9×13-inch pan and bake at 325F for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

butter, brown sugar and heavy cream being melted in a saucepan.

Step 6: Make the frosting

While the cake is baking, make the frosting. Add all the ingredients for the frosting to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture begins to simmer. Remove from the and cool for 5 minutes.

frosting being poured on top of a warm baked cake.

Step 7: Frost the cake

Pour the frosting over the cake while it’s still warm.

Step 8: Serve

Slice the cake and serve.

📝Variations

Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!

  • Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the batter for a crunchy texture.
  • Substitute the apples with other fruits like pears or peaches.
  • Replace the vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.

If you love delicious apple recipes you may also enjoy this Apple Spice Bundt Cake recipe.

🥄 Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • 9×13 casserole dish
  • Electric mixer
  • Wooden spoon
slice of apple dapple cake on a plate.

🥫 Storage

Store any leftovers of this apple cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep it fresh longer, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Serve With

This sweet and delicious apple dapple cake is great on its own, but if you want to add some extra flair, try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The creamy and cool contrast will make this dessert even more enjoyable.

💭 Tips

  • Be sure to peel and chop the apples before adding them to the batter.
  • Make sure to use room temperature eggs for better incorporation into the batter.
  • You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the frosting for some extra flavor.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Can I freeze this apple dapple cake?

Yes, you can! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, then the cake is done.

🍽 More Apple Recipes

Do you enjoy apples? If so, try these delicious recipes:

🧾Recipe Card

Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.

slice of apple dapple cake on a plate.

Apple Dapple Cake

This Apple Dapple Cake is sure to please! With a moist and fluffy cake, topped with sweet frosting, you can't wrong.
4.84 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 Slices
Calories: 598kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • 9×13 casserole dish
  • Electric mixer
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 4 cups apples peeled and chopped into ½-inch chunks

Frosting

  • cup butter
  • cup brown sugar packed
  • cup granulated sugar
  • cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt; set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat in the vanilla and the eggs one at a time.
  • Add the dry mixture a little at a time, mixing well between each addition. Note: the batter will be very thick.
  • Using a sturdy wooden spoon, fold the apples into the batter.
  • Spread into the prepared 9×13-inch pan and bake at 325F for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • While the cake is baking, make the frosting. Add all the ingredients for the frosting to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture begins to simmer. Remove from the and cool for 5 minutes.
  • Pour the frosting over the cake while it’s still warm.
  • Slice the cake and serve.

Notes

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Disclaimer

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Slice | Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 191IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg
4.84 from 6 votes

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Recipe Rating




21 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    So yummm!!! My husband hates cake but this is to die for! Stupid me I forgot the heavy whipping cream but still so delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe

    1. So glad you and your husband liked this cake. We certainly love it!

  2. 5 stars
    What would be the best kind of apples to use for this cake??

    1. We have used Fuji, Honey Crisp and Granny Smith. We have also used a mix of apples depending on what we have in the house. So really whatever you like best

      1. Carol James says:

        Can you use butter as I am trying to use less seed oils?

        1. I’ve never made them with butter. If your other baking turns out well with it instead of oil it should ok I would think

  3. Sandy cook says:

    5 stars
    Best cake ever so moist and delicious.

    1. Thank you so glad you enjoyed it!

  4. What kind of oil can I substitute for the vegetable oil?

    1. You can use canola or safflower.

  5. Susan Mulligan says:

    can you use canned apples/apple pie filling?

    1. We have never used canned apples. I suggest if you do drain as much as possible. The cake is pretty moist without the extra wetness that canned apples would have

  6. Jennifer Duquette says:

    I just put this cake into the oven. It was very thick. I am waiting anxiously to see how it turns out. Smells good already.

    1. Yes as you can see from the pics, the cake is dense

    2. Jennifer Duquette says:

      4 stars
      okay, so hubby loved the cake. It is very sweet with the icing, but definitely will be making again. ๐Ÿฅฐ

  7. 5 stars
    I tried it out today and it was delicious! The cake pan was emptied by the family in a very short time- Simple recipe- worth peeling the apples, thank you!

    1. So happy you enjoyed this cake. It is a favorite in our family

  8. Wonder why my cake turned out so wet? I measured everything carefully. The taste was very good, but it wouldnโ€™t even cut into slices.

    1. Sounds like it wasn’t cooked all the way through

  9. Roberta Neether says:

    5 stars
    I made this for the 1st time and it was a hit. Everyone loved it and I have had many requests for the recipe.