One-Bowl Apple Spice Cake

🍎Why You'll Love This Apple Spice Cake

This is the cake of the moment — one-bowl apple cakes are among the most-saved fall recipes right now. Three cups of fresh apple keep every bite juicy, the spice blend tastes like a candle you'd actually want to eat, and the coarse sugar top bakes into a crackly crust. One bowl. That's the whole cleanup.

🧺Ingredients for One-Bowl Apple Spice Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups peeled and diced apples (about 3 medium, Honeycrisp or Gala)
• 2 tbsp coarse sugar, for topping

👩‍🍳How to Make One-Bowl Apple Spice Cake Step by Step

1. Heat. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Dry in the bowl. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in one large bowl.
3. Wet in the same bowl. Add oil, both sugars, eggs, and vanilla right on top. Stir until just combined — a few lumps are fine.
4. Apples. Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed.
5. Top. Spread into the pan and sprinkle the coarse sugar evenly over the surface.
6. Bake. Bake 38–42 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool 15 minutes, slice, and serve warm.

☕Fall Serving Ideas

Serve warm slices with coffee for the ultimate fall afternoon, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. For more apple-season baking, try our Apple Cider Donut Cake and Apple Fritter Bread.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best apples for apple spice cake?

Firm, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji hold their shape and balance the warm spices. Avoid Red Delicious — they turn mealy. A mix of two varieties gives the best flavor.

Why is my apple cake dry?

Overbaking is the usual culprit — pull the cake when a toothpick shows moist crumbs, not when it's completely clean. Also measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling, since packed flour makes a dry crumb.

Can I make apple spice cake ahead of time?

Yes. The cake keeps 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container and actually tastes better on day two as the spices meld. Warm individual slices for 15 seconds in the microwave before serving.

Can I add nuts or frosting to apple spice cake?

Absolutely — fold in ¾ cup chopped walnuts or pecans with the apples. For frosting, a simple cream cheese frosting is classic, but the crunchy sugar top is delicious on its own.