Heavenly Apple Dapple Cake Recipe: A Sweet Fall Treat

Sweet memories often bloom around a classic apple dapple cake that sparks joy in every kitchen.

Grandmothers have shared this treasured recipe through generations of warm gatherings.

Moist crumbs packed with caramelized chunks tell stories of comfort and tradition.

Crisp autumn apples dance with brown sugar, creating a magical dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Humble ingredients transform into something extraordinary when mixed with love and care.

Subtle spices weave through each slice, promising a delightful experience that connects you to cherished moments.

Come explore this irresistible treat that will make your home smell like pure happiness.

What Makes Apple Dapple Cake Special

• Craft with Ease: No oven needed, making this dessert a breeze to prepare without any complicated baking steps.
• Crowd-Pleasing Layers: Delightful combination of graham cracker crust, creamy cream cheese, smooth pudding, and coconut creates a texture-rich treat everyone will love.
• Chill and Serve: Perfect make-ahead dessert that sets in the refrigerator, allowing you to prepare it well in advance of any gathering or sweet craving.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Ideal for potlucks, family dinners, summer parties, or any occasion calling for a delicious and impressive no-fuss dessert that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients Needed for Apple Dapple Cake

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and creates a soft, rich cake consistency.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, aromatic profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the cake.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light texture.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the cake's sweet flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, complementary spice to the apple cake.

• Apples, Nuts: Provide texture, crunch, and additional flavor to the cake.
• Butter, Brown Sugar, Milk: Create a rich, caramel-like glaze for topping.
• Vanilla: Adds depth to the glaze's flavor profile.

How to Prepare Apple Dapple Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab your 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a generous coating of grease and flour to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, beat together sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until they transform into a smooth, well-blended mixture that looks absolutely irresistible.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon

Slowly introduce the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything just comes together.

Don’t overmix – you want a tender cake!

Step 4: Fold in Fruity Goodness

Carefully fold in chopped apples and nuts (if you’re feeling nutty).

Distribute them evenly throughout the batter for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan.

Slide it into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Step 6: Create Luscious Caramel Glaze

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and milk, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.

Remove from heat and add a splash of vanilla for extra richness.

Step 7: Drench and Serve

While the cake is still hot, drizzle the warm caramel glaze all over the top.

Let it cool slightly so the glaze can set, then slice and serve this decadent treat to eager friends and family.

Tips for Baking Apple Dapple Cake

• Use ripe, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor in the cake.
• Chop apples into uniform, small pieces to ensure even distribution and prevent sinking to the bottom.
• Toast nuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking, which can lead to a dry texture.
• Allow cake to cool completely before slicing to help it set and maintain its structure.

Alternative Versions of Apple Dapple Cake

• Spiced Pear Delight: Replace apples with ripe pears and add ground ginger and nutmeg for a warm, aromatic flavor profile.
• Tropical Coconut Crunch: Swap apples for shredded coconut and chopped macadamia nuts, using coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.
• Zesty Carrot Infusion: Substitute apples with grated carrots and add orange zest, increasing the cinnamon for a vibrant, spiced cake.
• Berry Bliss Variation: Mix in fresh blueberries or raspberries instead of apples, reducing sugar slightly to balance the fruit's natural sweetness.

Ideas to Serve Apple Dapple Cake

• Cozy Fall Dessert Platter: Slice the Apple Dapple Cake into neat squares and arrange on a rustic wooden board. Sprinkle extra chopped nuts around the edges and add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream beside each slice for a delightful contrast.
• Weekend Brunch Centerpiece: Create an elegant breakfast spread by placing cake slices on vintage dessert plates. Pair with freshly brewed coffee and garnish with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a small mint leaf for an extra touch of sophistication.
• Afternoon Tea Accompaniment: Cut cake into smaller bite-sized pieces and serve on a tiered cake stand. Complement with Earl Grey tea and delicate china cups for a refined gathering that celebrates the cake's rich apple and caramel flavors.
• Potluck Party Favorite: Transport the entire cake in its baking pan, covered with foil.

Storage Tips for Apple Dapple Cake

• Store the cooled Apple Dapple Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Wrap the completely cooled cake securely in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut cake into individual portions, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. This method allows quick single-serving defrosting.

FAQs

• Can I make this cake without nuts?

Yes, you can easily omit the nuts if you have allergies or simply prefer the cake without them. The recipe works perfectly well with just apples.

• What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples are ideal because they hold their shape and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness during baking.

• How do I know if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done. The top should also be golden brown and slightly springy to the touch.

Apple Dapple Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Moist apple dapple cake celebrates seasonal apples with rich caramel notes and crunchy walnut textures. Homemade comfort emerges through simple ingredients blended for maximum flavor in this classic Southern dessert you’ll want to share.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups peeled, diced apples (Granny Smith)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until the mixture becomes smooth and integrated.
3. Separately sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in another bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined without overmixing.
5. Delicately fold diced apples and chopped nuts into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
6. Transfer the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it uniformly to ensure consistent baking.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking time to promote even browning.
8. Test cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
9. While cake bakes, prepare the caramel glaze by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
10. Add brown sugar and milk to the melted butter, stirring constantly and bringing the mixture to a quick boil.
11. Remove glaze from heat immediately and stir in vanilla for additional depth of flavor.
12. Once cake is done, remove from oven and immediately drizzle warm caramel glaze over the hot surface.
13. Allow cake to cool completely, enabling the glaze to set and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Swap vegetable oil with applesauce for a healthier, lower-fat version that keeps the cake moist and adds natural sweetness.
• Dice apples uniformly to ensure even distribution and consistent texture throughout the cake.
• Toast nuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a crunchier texture.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing cinnamon or adding nutmeg for a more complex, warming flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 363
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 246 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg