Name: Authentic Amish Apple Cake Recipe You’ll Love to Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Amish / American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 1/2 cups cooking apples, chopped medium coarse (such as Granny Smith or Northern Spy); 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped finely; 3/4 cup butter; 1 1/2 cups brown sugar; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3/4 cup heavy cream

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When I was looking through my Amish Country Cookbook last fall, I came across this simple yet delicious apple cake recipe that has become my perfect pick for the winter months. This easy, moist cake is chocked full of fresh chopped apples and nuts, creating warm flavors that make every bite a treat.

The Amish apple cake recipe uses just the right amount of fall spices and sweetness, ensuring it’s lightly sweet without being overly indulgent. What makes this cake so fantastic is how perfectly it serves as both a snack and a dessert that pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. After hours of baking and cooling, you’ll have a cake that’s light enough to enjoy any time of day, made in a standard pan that feeds a crowd.

The beauty of this Amish tradition lies in its hassle-free approach – even first-time bakers can explore this guide and create something truly special. Whether you’re an experienced baker or someone who wants to jump into baking, this applesauce-enhanced cake is worth every minute you spend on prep.

What I love most is how this cake delivers on taste while providing essential vitamins – yes, it has some total fat and saturated fat, but the nutritional value and incredible flavor make it a nice addition to any favorite collection of cake recipes. The perfectly baked result, measuring about 9×13 inches, creates a moist texture that’s simply irresistible.

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Ingredients for Amish Apple Cake

Butter
Granulated sugar
Egg
Baking soda
Salt
Ground cinnamon
Grated nutmeg
All-purpose flour
Cooking apples (Granny Smith or Northern Spy)
Pecans or walnuts

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Amish Apple Cake

Step 1: Get Your Kitchen Ready First things first – preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is very important because we want our oven nice and hot when our cake goes in. While it’s heating up, take out a 9-inch round cake pan (a glass pie plate works perfectly too) and grease it well with butter or cooking spray. Trust me, you don’t want your beautiful cake sticking to the pan!

Step 2: Now ready Your Apples and Nuts Take your 2½ cups of apples – I recommend Granny Smith or Northern Spy varieties because they hold their shape well when baked. Peel them, core them, and chop them into medium-sized pieces, about the size of your thumbnail. Don’t make them too small or they’ll disappear in the cake! Next, finely chop your ½ cup of pecans or walnuts. Set both aside in separate bowls.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar In a large mixing bowl, take your ½ cup of softened butter (make sure it’s really soft – you should be able to press your finger into it easily). Using an electric mixer or wooden spoon, cream the butter until it’s light and fluffy. Now add your 1 cup of granulated sugar and beat them together until the mixture looks pale and fluffy – this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.

Step 4: Add the Egg Crack your egg into the butter-sugar mixture and beat it in completely. Make sure it’s well blended before moving to the next step. The mixture should look smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Mix in the Dry Ingredients Here’s where we add all our dry ingredients at once: 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg. Mix these in thoroughly – you want to smell those lovely spices!

Step 6: Add the Flour Now add your 1 cup of all-purpose flour.

Here’s an important tip: stir just until the flour is blended in. Don’t overmix! Overmixing makes the cake tough instead of tender. The mixture will be quite thick – almost like cookie dough. This is normal and exactly what we want.

Step 7: Fold in Apples and Nuts Gently stir in your chopped apples and nuts. The batter will be very thick and chunky – don’t worry, this is how it should look. Make sure the apples and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 8: Bake the Cake Spoon (don’t pour – it’s too thick to pour) the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes. The cake is done when the top springs back lightly when you touch the center, or when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 9: Cool and Serve Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then you can serve it warm. This cake is absolutely delicious on its own, but if you want to make the optional caramel sauce, now’s the time to prepare it while the cake is still warm.

Quick Tips:

Make sure your butter is soft before you start
Don’t mix the flour too much or your cake will be tough
The batter is supposed to be thick, not thin like regular cake batter
This cake tastes even better the next day!

Optional Toppings and Creative Variations

This classic Amish recipe becomes even more special with simple toppings and easy variations. I love adding a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce on top.

For variations, try substituting different nuts like walnuts or pecans, or add extra spices like ginger or allspice. Dried cranberries or raisins make wonderful additions, and using different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith creates unique flavors.

Perfect Serving Suggestions

Serving this traditional cake warm makes all the difference in taste and texture. I recommend pairing it with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or cold milk for the ultimate comfort experience. Cut the cake into generous squares and serve on small plates with forks for easy eating. This cake works beautifully for breakfast, afternoon snacks, dessert after dinner, or special occasions like family gatherings and potluck events.

How to Store Your Homemade Cake

Proper storage keeps your fresh apple cake moist and delicious for days. I always wrap my cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for up to one week – just cover it well to prevent drying out. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped in foil for up to three months, making it perfect for quick treats later.

Authentic Amish Apple Cake Recipe You’ll Love to Bake

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This authentic Amish Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert packed with chopped apples, warm spices, and crunchy nuts. Perfectly sweet without being too rich, it’s an old-fashioned favorite that’s simple to make and perfect for fall or any time of year. Serve it warm as-is, or elevate it with a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce. Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy evenings with a cup of tea or coffee.

Author: WssII
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Amish / American

Instructions

Get Ready First: Heat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch cake pan with butter. That’s it for now!
Prepare Your Stuff: Cut up 2½ cups of apples into small chunks. Chop ½ cup of nuts into tiny pieces. Put them in bowls and set aside.
Make the Cake Batter: Take ½ cup soft butter and 1 cup sugar. Mix them together until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add 1 egg and mix well. Now add these dry ingredients all at once: 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon nutmeg. Mix them in. Add 1 cup flour and stir just until mixed – don’t stir too much! The batter will be very thick like cookie dough. This is good!
Add Apples and Nuts: Stir in your chopped apples and nuts. The batter will be chunky and thick.
Bake It: Spoon the thick batter into your greased pan. Spread it out evenly. Bake for 30-40 minutes. It’s done when you can lightly touch the top and it springs back.
Cool and Eat: Let it cool for 10 minutes, then serve warm. That’s it – you’re done!

Notes