Easy Apple Cake (One Bowl)
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Sep. 11, 2025
This one-bowl easy apple cake is my go-to when it’s time for fall baking and I don’t want too many dishes to wash. It’s fluffy, warmly spiced, and packed with chopped apples. No one believes it’s this easy.
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Amy’s Notes
This Easy Apple Cake is my favorite fall dessert to throw together when I don’t want to overthink it. Here’s why I keep coming back to it:
- One Bowl, No Fuss: Like my Easy Apple Coffee Cake, everything gets mixed in one big bowl with no fancy steps or equipment. Cleanup is fast, and the batter comes together in minutes!
- So Moist, So Tender: The apples and applesauce make this cake incredibly soft and flavorful. Every slice stays perfectly moist, even the next day.
- Works With or Without Frosting: It’s delicious plain or with the cream cheese drizzle. I usually keep a baggie of frosting in the fridge just in case I want to dress it up.
- Naturally Sweet and Spiced: The warm spices and sweet apples make every bite feel cozy. The fresh flavors remind me of my Apple Cake with Caramel.
- Great for Any Season: I bake this year-round because it never feels too heavy. It’s the kind of treat that disappears fast at brunch or after dinner.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Olive Oil & Applesauce – This duo keeps the cake incredibly moist while adding richness and natural sweetness without relying on butter.
- Eggs & Vanilla – Just two eggs and a splash of vanilla bring structure and warmth to the batter with minimal effort.
- White Whole Wheat Flour – A lighter alternative to traditional whole wheat, it blends beautifully with the spices and apples for a tender crumb.
- Warm Spices – A trio of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger infuses the cake with cozy flavor in every bite – no need for anything artificial.
- Chopped Apples – With over four cups folded in, the apples bake up tender and juicy throughout the cake for fresh, fruity flavor and texture.
- Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional) – A creamy, tangy drizzle made with real cream cheese and butter takes this cake from everyday treat to holiday favorite.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Flour Choices: I usually go with white whole wheat flour because it’s milder than regular whole wheat, but you can do a half-and-half blend with all-purpose flour.
- Spice Adjustments: This cake is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Feel free to adjust the amounts or add a pinch of cloves or allspice if you want a little more warmth.
- Apple Varieties: I like using Honeycrisp or Fuji for their sweet-tart flavor and firm texture, but any firm apple that holds up during baking will work. Granny Smith adds a nice tang if you prefer something more tart.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Whisk oil, applesauce, vanilla, eggs, and sugar until smooth.
- Stir in flour, spices, baking soda, and salt.
- Gently fold in chopped apples.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35–45 minutes.
- Drizzle cream cheese frosting over cooled cake.
- Cut into slices and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make the Cake Ahead: This cake stays moist for days, so you can bake it 1–2 days in advance. Once cooled, cover tightly and keep at room temperature or in the fridge until ready to frost and serve.
- Chop Apples Early: Peel and chop the apples the day before and store them in an airtight container with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning. Keep them chilled until ready to mix in.
- Make the Frosting Ahead: The cream cheese frosting can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Let it soften slightly at room temp before drizzling over the cake.
Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe
Easy Apple Cake (One-Bowl)
Easy One-Bowl Apple Cake comes together in a pinch. All natural, nothing artificial, and tastes incredible. Luscious Cream Cheese Frosting is optional. This cake is a keeper you'll want all year round.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ⅔ cups sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 4 ½ cups apples, peeled and chopped (I use Fuji or Honeycrisp)
Optional Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup butter, softened to room temp
- 16 ounces regular cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pounds powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the oil, applesauce, vanilla, and eggs. Using a hand whisk, mix until well combined and smooth. Add the sugar and whisk until combined.
- Gently add remaining ingredients and stir with wooden spatula (it's a thick batter) until just combined and no flour streaks remain. Do not over-mix. Use rubber spatula to gently fold in apples.
- Scrape batter evenly into your prepared baking dish, ensuring batter spreads evenly into the corners. Bake 35-45 min or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with few tender crumbs attached. Let cool to room temp.
- Meanwhile, make Cream Cheese Frosting (if using.) In a bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, and vanilla, beating until smooth. Add powder sugar and gently mix in until incorporated. Add a bit of milk as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Transfer to a Ziploc baggie, press air out, and seal. Snip off a bit of the corner and drizzle onto cooled apple cake.
Notes
- I use white whole wheat flour, which is milder than typical whole wheat. You can use half whole wheat + half white flour, or use entirely all-purpose flour.
- Use a sweet, crisp apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best texture and flavor. Chop them finely so they bake evenly into the cake.
- Don’t overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added. Stir just until the flour is absorbed to keep the cake tender.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding frosting. If it’s even a little warm, the cream cheese drizzle will melt and slide right off.
- This recipe is part of our Apple Recipes Collection.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.8g | Protein: 4.6g | Fat: 19.7g | Saturated Fat: 8.4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 52.8mg | Sodium: 331.1mg | Fiber: 2.7g | Sugar: 29.3g
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling the apples gives the cake a smoother texture, but if you don’t mind a bit of chew, you can leave the peels on. Just make sure to chop them finely.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of whole wheat?
Yes, this recipe works perfectly with all-purpose flour. You can also use a 50/50 mix of all-purpose and whole wheat if you’d like a heartier crumb.
Is the cream cheese frosting necessary?
The cake is delicious on its own! It’s moist, flavorful, and packed with apples. The cream cheese drizzle just adds a little something extra, especially if you’re serving it for company.
How long does this apple cake keep?
This cake keeps well covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerated for up to 5 days. If frosted, keep it chilled and bring to room temperature before serving.
More to Bake And Eat
- Best Apple Pie with Flaky Butter Crust – This is hands-down the Best Apple Pie recipe. The filling is loaded with just the right amount of apples and sweetness.
- Apple French Toast Casserole – If I’m hosting brunch during fall, this Apple French Toast Casserole is the perfect potluck dish. It’s easy to assemble, feeds a crowd, and smells incredible as it bakes.
- Broccoli Apple Salad – This broccoli apple salad is one of the few that remains crunchy for hours. It’s flavorful, and tossed in a bright, creamy dressing. It works for any season, but I especially love it in fall.
- Apple Bread Pudding – This Apple Bread Pudding is perfect for breakfast or dessert. It’s made with fluffy bread, apples, and an applesauce custard for an utterly delicious bread pudding.