Baked Apple Cake

Featured in: Oven-Ready Meals

This warm, comforting Dutch-style apple cake brings together tender spiced apples and aromatic cinnamon in a soft, golden batter. Unlike traditional pancakes, this casserole-style bake requires no flipping—simply layer the ingredients and let the oven do the work. Ready in just over an hour, it's perfect for leisurely weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or even as a satisfying dessert. The combination of granulated and brown sugars creates a beautifully caramelized topping, while the vanilla-infused batter keeps everything moist and tender.

Updated on Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:05:48 GMT
The finished baked apple cake, featuring tender, spice-scented apples peeking out from a moist, golden crumb. Save to Pinterest
The finished baked apple cake, featuring tender, spice-scented apples peeking out from a moist, golden crumb. | hotmsemen.com

A warm, comforting casserole-style apple cake inspired by Dutch flavors—perfect for a cozy breakfast without the need to flip pancakes. Tender apples and aromatic spices are baked into a soft, golden cake for a satisfying start to the day. This easy-to-prepare dish brings the rustic charm of European baking straight to your morning table.

The finished baked apple cake, featuring tender, spice-scented apples peeking out from a moist, golden crumb. Save to Pinterest
The finished baked apple cake, featuring tender, spice-scented apples peeking out from a moist, golden crumb. | hotmsemen.com

What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔

Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.

Free. No spam. Just easy meals.

Imagine the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg filling your kitchen as this Dutch-style cake bakes to a perfect golden brown. Using tart apples like Granny Smith ensures a lovely contrast to the sweet, buttery batter, creating a texture that is both soft and satisfying.

Ingredients

Tired of Takeout? 🥡

Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.

One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

  • Apples: 3 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Wet Ingredients: 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1/3 cup (75 g) light brown sugar (packed), 2 large eggs, 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter (melted and cooled), 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Topping: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Apple Prep
In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. Set aside.
Step 3: Whisk Dry
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Step 4: Whisk Wet
In another large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.
Step 5: Combine
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Fill
Fold in the prepared apples. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and spread evenly.
Step 7: Topping
In a small bowl, mix the topping sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Serve
Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm!

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

To ensure the best crumb texture, make sure your melted butter has cooled to room temperature before adding it to the egg mixture. This prevents the eggs from cooking prematurely and helps the batter stay smooth.

Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇

Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.

Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For extra flavor and texture, consider folding a handful of raisins or chopped walnuts into the batter. To make the recipe dairy-free, simply substitute the milk and butter with your favorite plant-based milk and vegan butter alternatives.

Serviervorschläge

This cake is delicious served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of crème fraîche. For a more decadent treat, serve it with a side of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt.

A slice of warm baked apple cake on a plate, ready for breakfast or a cozy brunch treat. Save to Pinterest
A slice of warm baked apple cake on a plate, ready for breakfast or a cozy brunch treat. | hotmsemen.com

Whether you are hosting a brunch or just looking for a simple way to use up fresh apples, this Baked Apple Cake is a reliable and delicious choice. Its golden crumb and tender fruit make every bite a satisfying start to your morning.

FAQs About This Recipe

What type of apples work best?

Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are ideal because they hold their shape during baking and provide a nice balance of tartness to complement the sweet batter.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter and apples the night before, then bake fresh in the morning. Leftovers also store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Is this served warm or cold?

It's best served warm, either fresh from the oven or reheated. The flavors and texture are most comforting when the cake is still slightly warm.

What toppings pair well?

A dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of crème fraîche, whipped cream, or vanilla yogurt all complement the spiced apple flavors beautifully.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Absolutely. Substitute the whole milk with plant-based milk and replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil for a delicious dairy-free version.

Why add lemon juice to the apples?

The lemon juice prevents the sliced apples from browning and adds a subtle brightness that enhances the overall flavor profile.

20-Minute Dinner Pack — Free Download 📥

10 recipes, 1 shopping list. Everything you need for a week of easy dinners.

Instant access. No signup hassle.

Baked Apple Cake

Tender spiced apples baked into a soft, golden cake for a comforting Dutch-inspired breakfast treat.

Prep time
20 minutes
Time to cook
40 minutes
Overall time
60 minutes
Created by Grace Harrington

Meal type Oven-Ready Meals

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type Dutch

Portions 6 Serving size

Dietary notes Meat-free

Required ingredients

Apples

01 3 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
02 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

01 3/4 cup granulated sugar
02 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 2 large eggs
04 1 cup whole milk
05 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
06 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping

01 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
02 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to make it

Instruction 01

Prepare the oven and baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Instruction 02

Prepare the apples: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent oxidation. Set aside.

Instruction 03

Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Instruction 04

Mix wet ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.

Instruction 05

Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Instruction 06

Incorporate apples and transfer to baking dish: Fold in the prepared apples. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and spread evenly.

Instruction 07

Apply cinnamon sugar topping: In a small bowl, mix topping sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter surface.

Instruction 08

Bake until golden: Bake for 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Instruction 09

Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally with powdered sugar dusting or a dollop of crème fraîche.

You Just Made Something Great 👏

Want more like this? Get my best easy recipes — free, straight to your inbox.

Join 10,000+ home cooks. No spam.

Tools you'll need

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy info

Be sure to examine every ingredient for possible allergens. If unsure, reach out to a medical expert.
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains milk
  • Contains wheat and gluten
  • Contains butter

Per serving nutrition details

Nutritional numbers are for reference and not a substitute for medical consultation.
  • Caloric value: 330
  • Fat content: 11 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Proteins: 5 g

Cooking Shouldn't Be Hard ❤️

Get a free recipe pack that makes weeknight dinners effortless. Real food, real fast.

Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime.