This Apple Bundt Cake has been a family favorite for years, one that my great-grandmother used to make! I would ask her, “How do you make a bundt cake, Grandma?” And she would lean in with a gleam in her eye and whisper, “You just stand by me and I’ll show you!” (Love apple desserts? Try my Apple Crisp!)
How to Make an Apple Bundt Cake
There are a couple of important things to remember when making a bundt cake. Make sure you start with a good recipe (one that fits in a bundt pan!) that has been tested and perfected. The other is your pan. Because this cake has big chunks of apples the batter will not mold perfectly in some of the bundt pans with more intricate designs. A classic bundt pan should work perfectly!
This recipe has been handed down through the generations and definitely stands the test of time. I remember Grandma sending us into the yard to gather up apples so we could bake this cake! And standing by her in the kitchen as she would slowly stir the caramel. Sometimes, if I was good, I even got to drizzle her famous caramel sauce over the cake!
Tips for Apple Cake
This cake could also be called an Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake as we certainly packed in the cinnamon flavor! One thing that could really put this recipe over the top is using McCormick’s Apple Pie Spice. Simply substitute it for the cinnamon in this recipe.
How to Ice a Bundt Cake
Frosting this cake could not be easier. Simply prepare the caramel sauce recipe as directed, then pour over the cake. A couple variations are waiting 15 minutes to pour the caramel. It will be nice and thick and holds it’s shape. If you pour it immediately, it will soak into the apple bundt cake and do magical things. Both are delicious!
Best Apple Bundt Cake Recipe Reviews
“Hi Amanda! I baked this cake yesterday and it was delicious, so moist and tasty. Caramel sauce made it even better! I will do it definitely again!”
“The cake turned out fantastic and almost too good to take to my coworkers!”
“I made this cake with my mother! Love it for breakfast!”
As you can tell, folks RAVE over this bundt cake recipe! Big chunks of apples nestled into a cinnamon spice cake batter and covered in glorious homemade caramel sauce. Not only is it delicious, but this Apple Bundt Cake Recipe is perfect for creating new memories!
Seriously amazing Apple Bundt Cake that you will want to make again and again!
- 2 cups (450g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (336g) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp. McCormick vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 3 cups (384g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cinnamon spice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored. and chopped
- 1/2 cup (1 stick, 113g) butter
- 2 tsp. heavy cream
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
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Preheat the oven to 325°F (175°C). Grease a 9 inch Bundt pan.
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In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
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Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; stir into the batter just until blended.
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Fold in the apples by hand. Pour into the prepared bundt pan.
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Bake for 55-70 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
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Allow to cool for about 20 minutes in the pan and then invert on to a wire rack.
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Heat the butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
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Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then remove from the heat.
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Add in vanilla and stir until combined. Let sit 5-10 minutes to thicken.
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Drizzle over the warm cake.
Recipe Video
Want more great BUNDT CAKE recipes?
Chocolate Brownie Cake (my most popular recipe in 2017!)
Is that a typo, or does this recipe really call for a cup and a half of oil? Could I substitute applesauce for part of the oil or perhaps some yogurt?
Thank, it looks delicious!
Nope, no type. I haven’t tested any substitutions so I can’t speak to their effectiveness.
I always see you on Instagram but can never figure out how to get actual recipes. PLEASE tell me how❤️🌵❤️
If you are here and commenting that is where the recipes are. 🙂 Just scroll up!
Can this cake be made in a pan other than a bundt pan?
You can, but I have not tested it so I can’t provide accurate time and temperature.
i believe I followed the recipe exactly but the dough never came together…more crumbly. What do you think I did wrong?
Hi, Judith! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. One common cause of a bundt cake coming out more crumbly would be overmixing the batter. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
This apple cake is AMAZING!!!! The caramel sauce puts it over the top!! So good!!!
This is so very yummy. I made it for my daughter graduation party. An ther wasn’t enough go around. Then I decided I wanted make it for my ladies on Mother’s Day so instead of Bundt pan I used oversized muffin an it was so easy just hand them out like that. An it was still so delicious. I made it night before so had time rest an soak up Carmel glaze. This recipe is my new always go to recipe make. Love love it
Good morning how are you? Hope you and yours are staying safe! M question is can I substitute the vegetable oil with butter?
Hi Marsha-
I haven’t made the substitution so I can’t speak to its effectiveness.
Trying it today. You said oven 350° recipe said 325° which I is right?????????
The written recipe is correct.
I don’t usually like to alter someone’s recipe however I was looking for a healthy option so I took the suggestion of another reviewer and substituted the oil with apple sauce and I cut the sugar in half, I also used apple pie spice instead of the cinnamon. I did use only half the glaze and all I can say is this is the best healthy dessert I have made. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!!
Hi, I made the apple cake with butter and canola oil, (I didn’t have vegetable oil) my family loved it, I’m going to make it again with the vegetable oil, no substitute. Thanks
This is the first time I’m leaving a comment on a recipe – but I felt I simply must in this case.
This is the best cake I have ever made in my life. And I’m 68! Perfect in every way.
In Australia we’re now allowed to have 5 friends visit, and I served this to them. They each had TWO pieces. I drizzled part of the sauce on the warm cake, and then put the rest in a little jug so guests could pour their own. If anything, I think I might make a bit more caramel sauce next time.
Why would I make any other cake now? This will be it.
Just made my first Bundt cake. It definitely did not disappoint!! Thank you for sharing this recipe. ❤️
Made this exactly as described, and WOW! Hands down the most delicious apple cake ever! Thank you! Will be a regular in my cookbook from now on!
I used dark brown sugar to make the caramel sauce. Is that ok?
Yes
Can I substitute milk for heavy cream? I don’t use cream so it seems like a waste to buy a carton of cream when I’m only going to use two tsp.
Hi, Shelley! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. You could get away with substituting milk for the cream in the glaze; however, it may not get as thick. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
This cake is delicious!!! this is my third time making it and I add an 8oz. can crushed pineapples to mine because the batter sometimes is a little thick and it turns out scrumptious every time 😁
My family loved this I used 1 cup butter and 1/2 cup oil and doubled the recipe on Carmel sauce , they couldn’t get enough!
This is definitely a keeper .
I made this and the flavor was yummy. But the oil measurement is definitely off. After baking it just leaked oil. And the sugar is also to much.I dropped the sugar to 1 cup. I have been baking for over 25 years and very good at trouble shooting recipes! I read all the reviews and someone did say the oil measurements were correct. I would definitely make the cake again put cut the oil down a lot. I hope this help someone else. 😊
Hi Kris! Thanks for your feedback. The measurements are correct as you can see from the 200+ comments about how successful this recipe is for folks. If you decreased the sugar then that would contribute to your cake not being perfect.
This apple cake is AMAZING!!