If you are craving a delightful dessert that perfectly captures the essence of fall and the cozy warmth of homemade treats, this Apple Bundt Cake Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. Packed with tender chunks of apple and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this cake strikes the perfect balance between moist and fluffy, with a luscious glaze that adds the ideal touch of sweetness. It’s a classic that’s as charming as it is simple, making it perfect for everything from afternoon tea to holiday celebrations.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the first exciting step to baking your Apple Bundt Cake Recipe. Each ingredient plays an essential role, whether it’s the fragrant spices that give the cake its signature warmth or the apples that create bursts of natural sweetness and moist texture throughout.

All-purpose flour (3 ½ cups/420g): Provides the structure for the cake, ensuring it holds together perfectly.
Baking powder (1 ½ tsp): Helps the cake rise for a light and airy crumb.
Baking soda (1 ½ tsp): Works alongside baking powder to leaven and also balances the acidity from the apples.
Salt (½ tsp): Enhances all the flavors, bringing attention to the sweetness and spices.
Cinnamon (2 tsp): Infuses the cake with classic apple pie warmth and comfort.
Ground nutmeg (½ tsp): Adds a subtle hint of spice to deepen the flavor profile.
Granulated sugar (1 cup/198g): Sweetens and helps with the tender texture.
Brown sugar (1 cup/213g): Brings caramel notes and moistness to the cake batter.
Vegetable oil (¾ cup/149g): Keeps the cake moist and tender for days.
Applesauce (1 cup/255g): Contributes both moisture and a mild fruity undertone.
Large eggs (3): Bind everything together and add richness.
Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Lifts the flavors and adds depth.
Diced apples (2 ½-3 cups): The star ingredient that adds texture, moisture, and bursts of fresh flavor.
Brown sugar (½ cup/107g) for glaze: Sweetens and caramelizes the glaze beautifully.
Unsalted butter (¼ cup/57g): Adds richness to the glaze’s silky texture.
Milk (2 Tbsp): Lightens the glaze for easy pouring.
Powdered sugar (⅔ cup/76g), sifted: Gives the glaze a smooth finish and just the right sweetness.

How to Make Apple Bundt Cake Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Start by setting your oven to 350°F. While it warms up, grease and flour a 10 to 12-cup bundt pan thoroughly. This preparation step is key to ensuring your cake doesn’t stick, giving you that flawless, beautiful shape when it’s time to serve.

Step 2: Prepare the Apples

Peel, core, and dice fresh apples into ¼-inch chunks. These chunks will provide tender pockets of juicy apple in every bite of your Apple Bundt Cake Recipe, infusing each slice with natural sweetness and texture.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined. This spice blend will deliver a warm, fragrant base to the cake that complements the apples perfectly.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. This mixture forms the moist and flavorful batter of the Apple Bundt Cake Recipe.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Apples

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring gently as you go. Then fold in the diced apples carefully, distributing them evenly throughout the batter so that every slice bursts with apple goodness.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 60 to 80 minutes, checking after an hour with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. This step ensures your Apple Bundt Cake Recipe comes out perfectly cooked—tender, moist, and deeply flavorful.

Step 7: Make the Glaze

While the cake cools, combine brown sugar, unsalted butter, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sifted powdered sugar to create a luscious glaze that will shiny-up your cake.

Step 8: Glaze the Cake

Once the cake is completely cooled, pour the glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to trickle down the sides and add a final touch of sweet decadence to your Apple Bundt Cake Recipe.

How to Serve Apple Bundt Cake Recipe

Garnishes

To make your Apple Bundt Cake Recipe even more inviting, consider topping it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a few thin apple slices arranged in a fan. A sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans can add a lovely crunch and contrast to the soft crumb.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent treat. For a cozy drink, a warm cup of chai tea or freshly brewed coffee enhances the spicy and sweet notes of the apple cake.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Apple Bundt Cake Recipe into a showstopper by serving it on a rustic wooden board or a colorful ceramic platter. Add edible flowers or cinnamon sticks around the base for a charming, seasonal touch that will impress your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and glazed, store leftover Apple Bundt Cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the cake moist and fresh, ready for whenever you want a slice.

Freezing

If you want to keep your Apple Bundt Cake Recipe longer, slice it before freezing and store the slices individually wrapped in freezer-safe bags. This allows you to thaw just what you need, keeping each portion tasting fresh.

Reheating

For the best flavor and texture, warm slices gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or serve at room temperature. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely! Firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best because they hold their shape well and balance sweetness with tartness in the Apple Bundt Cake Recipe.

Is it okay to use unsweetened applesauce?

Yes, unsweetened applesauce works fine and will slightly reduce the overall sweetness, allowing the spices and natural apple flavor to shine more.

Can I substitute the vegetable oil with butter?

You can substitute melted butter for vegetable oil, but expect a slightly denser texture. The oil keeps the cake particularly moist and tender.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The best test is to insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Also, the cake should spring back gently when pressed.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup and includes xanthan gum to mimic the structure of wheat flour.

Final Thoughts

Once you try this Apple Bundt Cake Recipe, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved classic that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It combines simple ingredients with straightforward steps that deliver a stunning, crowd-pleasing dessert every time. So dust off your bundt pan, grab some fresh apples, and get ready to bake a cake that’s bursting with flavor and autumn charm. Your friends and family will thank you!

Apple Bundt Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 25 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 12–14 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This moist and flavorful Apple Bundt Cake blends the warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg with tender diced apples and a luscious brown sugar glaze. It’s an ideal dessert for cozy gatherings or a special weekend treat, featuring a tender crumb with bursts of apple throughout and a sweet, buttery glaze that adds an extra layer of decadence.

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10 to 12-cup capacity bundt pan thoroughly to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into uniform ¼-inch chunks to ensure even distribution and tenderness throughout the cake.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined and aerated.
Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently to combine. Then fold in the diced apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the cake: Pour the prepared batter into the greased bundt pan, smoothing the top lightly. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 80 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack.
Make the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, unsalted butter, and milk. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to a gentle boil and sugars dissolve. Remove from heat and whisk in the sifted powdered sugar until the glaze is smooth and thickened.
Glaze the cake: Once the cake has completely cooled, pour the prepared glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides for a beautiful finish. Let the glaze set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice contrast to the sweet cake, or Fuji and Honeycrisp for a sweeter bite.
Do not skip greasing and flouring the bundt pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
Ensure the cake is cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and becoming too runny.
Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
For extra texture, toss the diced apples in a little flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 75 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American