How do you like them apples? How about nestled inside an old fashioned apple dapple cake blended with a medley of warm fall spices, chopped walnuts, topped off with a buttery sweet brown sugar glaze? Sounds cozy, doesn’t it?

This easy rendition of this vintage cake recipe features more apple than cake, creating a rippling effect of apples on the cake’s surface, welcoming you to take a quick bite. We guarantee this delightful fall cake will be as sweet as apple pie, if not better!

Old-Fashioned Apple Dapple Cake For Fall

Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Supplies

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Core, peel, and dice the apples and finely chop the nuts into small bite-size pieces. Set aside.
Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl. Sift in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, mix the vegetable oil with both sugars on medium speed until well blended.
Next, with the mixer running, add the eggs, one at a time, fully blending it in after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract.
Carefully incorporate the sifted dry ingredients to the batter with the mixer running on low speed. The batter will become thick.
Using a silicone spatula, fold the diced apples and chopped walnuts into the batter, then spread the batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately prepare the brown sugar glaze.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons heavy cream
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Supplies

Directions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, use a wooden spoon to combine butter, heavy cream, both sugars, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil and continue to stir for one minute. Remove from the burner and immediately pour the glaze on the warm cake.
Please note that if you serve the apple dapple cake warm, it will be fragile when sliced and prone to crumbling. Serve your apple dapple cake with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce for a rich, decadent fall treat!

Recipe Notes

What Types Of Apples Should I Use For My Apple Dapple Cake?

An apple dapple cake is a delightful way to use up those delicious, juicy apples from the apple picking orchards! We love baking with Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Cortlands, Braeburn, and Pink Lady. Head on over to Types Of Apples to learn more.

Can I Make Apple Dapple Cake Gluten-Free?

Absolutely! Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend. After you whip up your apple dapple cake, check out OOLA’s collection of Delicious Gluten-Free Desserts That Taste Too Good To Be True!

Can I Make The Apple Dapple Cake The Day Before And Refrigerate Until Time To Serve?

Yes! Go ahead and prepare this cake the night before, and serve the following day. We suggest letting the cake come to room temperature prior to serving.

What we love most about this particular recipe is that it’s easily transportable in a 9×13 baking dish. Making it perfect for small fall gatherings.