This One Bowl Apple Cake is one of those simple bakes that feels like a little gift from the oven. It’s soft, buttery, and packed with juicy apple chunks in every bite. Best part? You only need one bowl to make it—no fancy mixers or piles of dirty dishes.
Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon treat, bringing something to share with neighbors, or just trying to use up a few apples on the counter, this cake has you covered.
Easy, Fuss-Free, and Full of Flavor
This recipe is as easy as it gets: mix everything in one bowl, fold in the apples, and bake until golden. That’s it. It’s the kind of cake that doesn’t need a glaze or frosting to shine—it stands perfectly on its own.
The texture is soft and tender with a lovely buttery crumb, and thanks to the apples, it stays nice and moist for days. A sprinkle of sugar on top adds a bit of sparkle and a golden finish, but even that’s optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to peel the apples?
Yes—peeling gives the best texture. You want soft, tender apple pieces in every bite, and the skins can get a little chewy once baked.
What kind of apples should I use?
Any dessert apple works! Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Gala—use what you’ve got. A mix of sweet and tart apples is always a good idea if you want more depth.
Can I add spices like cinnamon?
Absolutely. A teaspoon of cinnamon or apple pie spice in the batter gives it a cozy, autumn vibe. Stir it in with the flour.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes! Slice it up, wrap individual pieces, and freeze them. Thaw at room temp or give them a quick zap in the microwave. Still delicious.
Is this a dessert or breakfast?
Honestly, both. It’s just sweet enough to serve with a scoop of ice cream, but it’s also perfect with a morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of pantry staples and a few apples, and you’re good to go:
- 200g caster sugar – Adds sweetness and helps with structure
- 200g unsalted butter – Softened (salted works too if that’s what you have)
- 3 large eggs – Room temp is best
- 200g plain flour – All-purpose flour works fine
- 1 tsp baking powder – Helps the cake rise
- 1 tsp vanilla extract – For flavor (or vanilla bean paste if you have it)
- 3 medium apples – Peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks
- 2 tbsp golden caster sugar – For sprinkling on top (optional)
- 1 tbsp icing sugar – For dusting before serving (also optional)
How to Make One Bowl Apple Cake
Step 1: Prep your pan and oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C fan) and grease a 9-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment if you’d like easy removal later.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer, stand mixer, or just a sturdy spoon and a little elbow grease.
Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. If it looks like the mixture is curdling, just add a spoonful of the flour to bring it back together.
Step 4: Mix in the flour and vanilla
Add the flour, baking powder, and vanilla. Stir until you’ve got a smooth, thick batter.
Step 5: Fold in the apples
Peel, core, and chop your apples right before adding them to the batter. Fold them in gently until evenly mixed.
Step 6: Bake
Spoon the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the top with golden caster sugar if you’re using it. Place the pan on a baking sheet (just in case it bubbles over) and bake for about 45 minutes. The cake should be golden, firm on top, and a toothpick should come out clean.
Step 7: Cool and serve
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before removing it. Dust with icing sugar if you’d like, then slice and serve warm or cooled.
One Bowl Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 200 g caster sugar
- 200 g unsalted butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 200 g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
- 3 dessert apples peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp golden caster sugar optional
- 1 tbsp icing sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C fan). Grease and line a 9-inch springform pan.
- In one bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, and vanilla until combined.
- Peel, core, and chop apples into small chunks. Fold into the batter.
- Spoon the batter into your pan. Sprinkle top with golden sugar if using.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool slightly, dust with icing sugar, and serve warm or at room temp.
Tips & Add-Ons
- Want extra texture? Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
- Make it spiced: Mix in cinnamon or nutmeg with the flour.
- Serve it warm: A scoop of vanilla ice cream or warm custard takes it over the top.
- Storing leftovers: Keep covered at room temp for 2–3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
This One Bowl Apple Cake is the kind of recipe that feels like home. It’s simple, forgiving, and full of sweet apple flavor—and once you make it, you’ll want to keep it in your back pocket for every season.
It’s perfect. Thank you, my family loved it. I doubled the recipe and used my Pampered Chef pans that are shaped like a flower (Secret Center Cake Pan), using a mix of reduced price apples, chopped up small so my elderly mum could manage them. They measured out to a four-cup pyrex jug for the two cakes. As I peeled and cored, I kept them in a bowl of lemon water to prevent brown-ness. I made sure to REALLY whip up the butter and sugar so that the batter is easy to add the apples into and I added the cinnamon into the batter, demerara brown sugar on top. Of course, the icing sugar shook over each slice as its served. 😀 This one goes in “my recipe binder”, looking forward to the next awesome recipe from you. Cheers!