Our quick & easy apple cake is truly a special one. It is one of those cakes that seem like they are hard to make, but honestly need minimal effort and ingredients in the kitchen.
This Apple cake has a tender, buttery base, soft baked apples, and a luscious homemade pudding cream that melts right into the cake. Indeed, this dessert delivers cozy bakery flavor without the fuss.
We created this recipe for those moments when you crave a warm, comforting cake but you want to keep things simple. This cake has three different textural elements: light and tender cake at the bottom, creamy, rich custard mixed throughout, and sweet-tart apples in every bite.
The kitchen fills with the comforting scent of vanilla and warm apples, which creates a soothing atmosphere. This easy to make apple cake is indeed a hit at tea and casual gatherings.
Ingredients Breakdown
For the Cake Batter
- Eggs: Eggs work as a binder for all ingredients. It also makes the cake fluffy and airy.
- Salt: A pinch of salt in baked goods enhances the taste overall. It is an important step often missed by homebakers.
- Sugar: Sugar is another basic ingredient for the cake. We are using regular granulated sugar. You can use a mixture of white and brown sugar or any sweetener of your choice.
- Sunflower oil: Oil will make the cake soft and add the fat content that helps it bake evenly as well.
- Yogurt: Since we are not using butter in the cake batter, Yogurt is a great option to add buttery richness. It also adds a tangy flavor that complements the apples. We highly recommend adding yogurt to the cake since it also makes the cake moist and light.
- Vanilla extract: A good-quality vanilla will add floral notes to the cake. It also deepens the flavor of the cake overall.
- All-purpose flour: Flour makes the structure of the cake that carries all the ingredients as one. We highly recommend using high-quality flour since it makes a lot of difference in the texture and flavor of the cake.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch makes the cake lighter. The crumbs are light and delicate with the cornstarch. It also reduces the gluten formation from the flour.
- Baking powder: Baking powder
For the Apple Layer
- Apples: We are using the Sweet-tart red apples for this Quick & Easy Apple cake recipe. These apples balance the sweetness of the cake and pudding while adding a melt-in-the-mouth texture to the cake as well. You can use Granny Smith or any other apple of your choice as well.
For the Pudding Cream
- Egg: Egg adds richness to the custard. It also gives the custard the signature yellowish color and works as a thickener, too.
- Sugar: We are using regular White granulated sugar. You can use any sweetener of your choice.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds a floral taste and aroma to the pudding.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps in making the custard lighter and thicker.
- Milk: Milk is the base of the custard. It adds the creamy richness.
Instructions
We highly recommend reading the recipe’s instructions thoroughly before starting. Make sure you have all of the ingredients measured out for every step in advance to make the recipe easier.
See the full preparation in the recipe card below with the complete instructions on how to prepare your kitchen and the ingredients, and then make this quick & easy apple cake.
Quick & Easy Apple Cake
Description
This quick apple cake with creamy pudding topping is one of those recipes that proves simple ingredients can create something truly special. The batter is soft and tender, layered with juicy apples and topped with a silky vanilla pudding that melts into the cake as it bakes. Perfect for tea-time, dessert, branches, and even as a snack.
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter
For the Apple Layer
For the Pudding Cream
For Decoration
Instructions
Prepare the Cake
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Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt. Whisk them until slightly foamy — this step helps incorporate air into the batter, making the cake lighter.
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Add the sugar and continue whisking until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thick. Properly whisked eggs create a soft sponge texture.
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Pour in the sunflower oil, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
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Sift together the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Gradually fold the dry mixture into the batter until smooth and lump-free. Avoid overmixing — just mix until everything is incorporated.
The batter should be creamy and slightly thick. -
Line a 20 cm springform pan with baking paper. Lightly grease the pan with butter so the paper stays in place and the cake releases easily after baking. Pour half of the batter into the pan and spread evenly.
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Peel and slice the apples into thin pieces.
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Arrange them evenly over the batter layer. Sweet-tart apples work best because they balance the sweetness of the cake. This apple layer gives the cake its signature soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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Pour the remaining batter over the apples and gently spread it so the fruit is covered evenly.
Prepare the Custard
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In a small saucepan, whisk together egg, sugar, vanilla extract, cornstarch, and milk. Place over medium heat, stirring constantly.
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Cook until the mixture thickens into a smooth pudding-like cream. Continuous stirring prevents lumps and stops the cream from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
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Pour the warm pudding gently over the cake batter. Spread lightly so it forms a smooth creamy layer on top.
Bake the Cake
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Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 45 minutes. During baking, the cake rises, the apples soften, and the pudding layer sets into a creamy topping.
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Allow the cake to cool slightly before removing it from the pan. Dust the top with powdered sugar for a simple and elegant finish.
Equipment Used
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Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 330kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 14g22%
- Total Carbohydrate 45g15%
- Sugars 24g
- Protein 8g16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Substitution and Variations
- Low-Carb Option: Replace oats with almond flour (bread texture becomes more dense but still tasty).
- Swap the Fruit: Instead of apples, try pears, peaches, or berries for a seasonal twist.
- Add Warm Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom pair beautifully with apples and add warmth to the flavor.
- Make it Lighter: Replace half the sugar with honey or maple syrup.
- Add Crunch: Sprinkle chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans over the apples before adding the batter.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use plant-based yogurt and almond or oat milk for the pudding.
- Extra Creamy Version: Add a layer of whipped cream on top after baking and cooling.
