Apple Bundt Cake is a made-from-scratch cake filled with tart apples and topped with a buttery caramel glaze. This recipe is perfect any time of the year, but I especially love it in the fall! If you love caramel apple desserts, be sure to also try my Caramel Apple Dump Cake and Caramel Apple Cake.
Apple Bundt Cake
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!” For another delicious apple dessert, try my Apple Crisp!
Apple Bundt Cake Ingredients
Apples: I love a good Granny Smith apple because it holds its shape and texture better than other varieties. You can certainly try other kinds of apples, but the texture of the cake may change.
Caramel Glaze: I topped this cake with a delicious caramel-flavored glaze. It gives you a hint of that classic caramel apple flavor that reminds me of fall! You could also serve it without the glaze if desired.
Best Apples for Apple Cake
It is important to use tart apples in order to get that tang that contrasts well with the buttery caramel topping in an apple cake. I recommend Honeycrisp or Granny smith.
- Honeycrisp- they are crisp and juicy with a honey-sweet and tart flavor
- Granny Smith- they are crisp and sour
- Golden Delicious – sweet
What’s the Best Bundt Cake Pan?
I recommend using a non-stick Bundt pan so the cake slides right out, and I use different pans depending on the size of the cake. For a 9-inch cake (like with this recipe), I use a Bundt pan from Anolon, which costs around $25 at Walmart. For a 10-inch cake, I go with this option from USA Pan, which is around $40.
How to Store and Freeze Apple Bundt Cake
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze this cake, I recommend not adding the glaze until you are ready to serve. Place the whole cake or individual pieces in an airtight container or freezer-safe sealable plastic bag. Try to remove as much air as possible. Be sure to label and date the container. The cake will freeze well for up to 3 months. When ready to thaw, remove the cake from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator overnight and allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
More Apple Desserts
Apple Bundt Cake
Equipment
- 9-inch Bundt pan I like this affordable nonstick pan!
- Small saucepan I recommend this one from Kitchenaid
- Hand mixer This is a good budget option from Hamilton Beach!
- Wire rack Like these cooling racks
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1½ cups (327 g) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
Caramel Glaze
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons heavy cream, room temperature
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly spray a 9-inch bundt pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the sugar, oil, vanilla, and eggs until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend until just combined.
- Gently fold in the diced apples by hand until just combined.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared bundt pan.
- Bake for 55-70 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for about 15-20 minutes in the pan and then invert it onto a wire rack. While the cake is cooling, prepare the caramel glaze.
Caramel Glaze
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar to a gentle boil, stirring occassionall until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove the pan from heat, and add vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Allow the caramel glaze to sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken.
- Drizzle over the warm cake and serve.
Video
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was an absolute hit with everyone!! Love it!! Thank you!
I’m a fan of soooooo many of your recipes, but this one may “take the cake!” Moist but not stodgy, full of flavor and soooooo easy to prep and make. A big winner!
Can I freeze this Bundt cake ?
Your recipeSays to set oven temp at325°but you’re video says 350° which is it please indicate as soon as possible I am making this bread right now thank you
Can I substitute with a different apple? How will a softer sweeter apple be
Fantastic recipe!! I made it this morning and it looks like I’ll have to make another one tomorrow. It’s almost gone! I was a little concerned about how thick the batter was but it turned out amazing. The caramel sauce was a great addition. Thank you!
i was out of the most of the vegetable oil and had only butter so used the little bit of that and room temperature butter (i took my time and made sure it was well blended with my wet ingredients). also, don’t use sugar in anything i make from home so i replaced the sugar for honey.
it turned out ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL…wish i could send you all pictures!
p.s. the granny smiths that i got from Costco were a little sweeter than tart, was perfect.
If I am making as a gift and it won’t be served right away, can I put the caramel sauce in a jar for them to pour over later?
Sure, that is a good idea.
This cake is amazing! I would like to make ahead an frieze several for the holidays. Does it freeze well? Would you use the caramel glazr when thawing and servin%. Could I use a 9×11 pan?
I made this delicious apple cake in a 13×9 inch pan. I baked it for 40 minutes at 325. Came out perfect. Drizzled with the caramel sauce.
I made this cake late December 10, 2022. Not only was a beautiful cake but so delicious as well. I loved the crispiness and the texture of the cake. The caramel sauce even took it to another level. The sweetness was perfect. I had some fresh apples slices I had frozen in April, 2022. Diced them and added to batter. Worked perfectly. Definitely a hit and will make another one real soon. Thank you so much for sharing. I have a picture also.
Thank you for this. I have a relative who must avoid dairy. The cake is perfect but the glaze has butter and cream. I am thinking to make this for Christmas with a glaze of powdered sugar and apple juice for her. Or do you have any other ideas?