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My Grandma's Fresh Apple Cake is the most delicious spiced cake loaded with grated apples and finished with a simple caramel sauce poured over the top. It's the fall dessert my family requests on repeat every single year.
Grandma's Special Apple Cake
This Apple Cake is one of my most treasured family recipes on this site. I love how food can link us with loved ones who have passed on.
You will love how easy this is to make–like no peeling the apples– just grate them skin-on, right into the batter. You can also use whatever apples are in your fridge, allowing you to make it practically anytime. Also, the caramel sauce is a non-negotiable! I can't wait for you to try this delicious apple cake recipe.
Take advantage of my recipes for apple season and try my Apple Crisp, Applesauce, Apple Pie, Baked Apples, Apple Crisp, Caramel Apples, and Apple Coffee Cake!
How to make Fresh Apple Cake:
Caramel Sauce (make ahead): You can use your favorite high quality store-bought sauce, but I recommend saving the money and making your own. It tastes better and is so easy and affordable. Just combine all caramel sauce ingredients in a glass bowl. Bring a couple inches of water to a boil in a small saucepan and place the glass bowl on top (or use a double broiler). Let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally for one hour – that's it! Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Make Batter: Cream the butter and sugar, mix in the eggs, then stir in the grated apple. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients, then fold into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Bake: Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Serve: Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes, then serve warm with the caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter, , room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 6 small/medium apples*, , grated with peel on (discard the core)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1 cup chopped walnuts, , optional
Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Easy Caramel Sauce (can be made ahead): Place all caramel sauce ingredients in a large glass bowl and stir to combine. Fill a saucepan with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Turn it to a low simmer. Set glass bowl over the saucepan (or use a double boiler) and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Pour into a jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.1 cup heavy whipping cream, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well blended. Add the eggs and mix well. Stir in the big pile of freshly grated apple.2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup butter, 2 large eggs, 6 small/medium apples*
- Dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves
- Combine: Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix, just until incorporated. Stir in walnuts, if using.1 cup chopped walnuts
- Bake in a greased 9×13 inch pan for 45-60 min, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with caramel sauce and whipped cream or ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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*I originally shared this recipe November 2014. Updated November 2020, October 2022, September 2024 and August 2026.
Approximately how many cups of apples equals the 6 apples listed in the recipe?
Great question! On average, one medium-sized apple yields about 1 to 1.25 cups when grated. So for 6 apples, you’d be looking at roughly 6 to 7.5 cups. However, keep in mind that the exact amount can vary based on the size and variety of the apples you’re using.
I have made this cake several times now with a pecan filling and cream cheese frosting. It is referred to THE Apple Cake and everyone loves it. It keeps well; probably better as it ages.
This is THE most decadent cake recipe on Pinterest!!! It is so moist, absolutely delicious and with the caramel sauce over it, Heaven on a PLATE!!!
is there a way to make this cake gluten free? my classmate has celiacs and i don’t want them to suffer
I made this cake immediately after seeing it in my email. Let me tell you, it was easy and delicious. I had everything on hand. My only problem was; I saw the email about 12pm and I had to wait for the butter to get room temp. before I could make it.
I made this cake for a potluck after church. It was moist and delicious. I almost forgot the baking soda. I’m so used to reading recipes where the flour is listed before the other dry ingredients. Thankfully I gave it a second look. I baked it the night before and cut into small squares t the next morning, then placed in cupcake liners. I did not make the caramel. I wanted to, but thought it would be too messy for a church potluck. Thank you for the delicious recipe!!
I did the same for a potluck. I just had a stir bought ice cream caramel in a tube for them to squeeze on. It worked great.
I only had 3 apples so I made 1/2 of the recipe. It made 12 cupcakes which I baked for 30 minutes. I made the caramel sauce too. Yummy!
Today is my 74th birthday & I always requested my mother’s apple pie instead of cake. I ever mastered that so decided to try your cake. It’s delicious & easy to make. I was a little short on apples so added some raisins. It didn’t hurt the cake but since I had never tasted it without the raisins I don’t know if it was okay. Also, used a jarofcar. Sauce that was in the frig but was excellent.
I made the cake..exactly to the recipe contents but it takes very floury. Needs some adjustments.
Awesome!!!! The only thing I changed was I didn’t use cloves I substituted a 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg. Next time I will cut the recipe down a 1/4 cup on the sugar. I also didn’t make the sauce , it is great eating plain. This recipe is a keeper!!!!