Old Fashioned Apple Cake

A tried & true Old Fashioned Apple Cake. This cake is very moist and a bit sticky. Sweet and simple, it’s a perfect dessert for any occasion, any time of the year. Quick & easy to make – it requires only a few ingredients.

Originally published 12/27/2014. Post updated 9/26/2023.

Old Fashioned Apple Cake – American Comfort Food

Apple Cake like the grandma’s used to make (and still do). It’s tried, true and has withstood the tests of time. There’s something delightful about baked apple desserts. It’s classic American comfort food.

Desserts like this cake were made during simpler times. The ingredients are all pantry staples. Most families had apple trees or knew a local who did. Apples were readily available and the bounty was stored in a fruit cellar for use throughout the year. The surplus was canned into sauce.

Recipes like this cake were also from a time when a dessert would be served almost daily. Most woman stayed home and prepared all the meals. People had larger families, more mouths to feed and lived on a strict budget. A simple daily dessert after dinner allowed for a bit smaller dinner. Hence the saying “save room for dessert”.

Plus leftover deserts could be utilized the next day with breakfast. Simpler, more efficient times.

Ingredients, Preparation & Substitutions

This cake is quick and easy to mix up & bake.

I prefer to make this cake with applesauce instead of any oils, but you can switch it with vegetable oil if you’d like.  

I slice the apples, but feel free to shred, cube or cut them any way you would like.  

Raisins compliment this cake wonderfully as does adding a bit of quick oats for texture. Add in more nuts if you’d like or sprinkle some extra on top.

Add more spices – ginger, nutmeg, cardamon – whatever your taste buds fancy! Switch up extracts or try a bit of bourbon or rum. I love making baked goods that leave so much room for creativity.

The batter will be thick and dry – no need to worry and please don’t go and add extra liquids. As always, when baking with fruits, the juices will moisten everything up.

Serve

This cake is very moist and a bit sticky. Sweet and simple, it’s a perfect dessert for any occasion, any time of the year.  

I love it as is but it’s wonderful topped with some whipped cream, caramel syrup or vanilla ice cream.

This is a great dessert to whip up last minute. It’s simple, quick, and enjoyed by all. Just ask any great grandma – they can throw one of these together from memory effortlessly.

Hope you enjoy!

Amanda ♥

Want more apple desserts? I got you covered! Check out my Soft & Fluffy Apple Cake & PA Dutch Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Apple Butter Frosting . (Click for recipes)

Old Fashioned Apple Cake

Amanda

A tried and true old fashioned apple cake. Simple, quick and requires few ingredients or effort.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Desserts

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Ingredients

  

• 5 apples – whatever kind you prefer to bake with
• 2 cup flour
• 2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1/3 cup crushed walnuts

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13 x 9 baking dish.
• Prep apples. Wash, peel and slice. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon and baking soda.
• Mix in vanilla extract and applesauce.
• Fold in apples and walnuts.
• Spoon/scrape mixture into prepared 13 x 9 baking dish.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes.
• Let cool, cut and enjoy : )

Notes

I slice the apples, but feel free to shred, cube or cut them any way you would like.  

Raisins compliment this cake wonderfully as does adding a bit of quick oats for texture. Add in more nuts if you’d like or sprinkle some extra on top.

Add more spices – ginger, nutmeg, cardamon – whatever your taste buds fancy! Switch up extracts or try a bit of bourbon or rum. I love making baked goods that leave so much room for creativity.

The batter will be thick and dry – no need to worry and please don’t go and add extra liquids. As always, when baking with fruits, the juices will moisten everything up.

Keyword apple, apple cake