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A slice of apple cake on a white plate, garnished with three fresh apple slices—perfect for St Patrick’s Day Desserts. In the background, a blurred plate with more cake and apple slices, and a glass of juice are visible.

Best Apple Cake Recipe

This Apple Cake with Fresh Apples is soft, moist, and filled with cinnamon-spiced apples in every bite. Made with simple ingredients, it's an easy homemade dessert that's perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or whenever you're craving a classic apple cake recipe.

Course Cake, desserts
Cuisine Irish
Keyword Apple Cake with Fresh Apples, Recipe for apple cake with fresh apples
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 10
Author momma lew

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter cold
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 5 fresh apples peeled and sliced in thin pieces

Whiskey Cream Topping:

  • ½ pint heavy cream
  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 12 ounces white chocolate
  • 3 teaspoons Irish whiskey

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Ensure your oven is fully preheated before placing the cake inside. This helps with even baking.
  2. Combine the cold butter and flour in a food processor and blend to a crumbly texture.
  3. Transfer butter and flour mixture to a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add baking powder, salt, cinnamon and 3/4 cup of sugar and stir to combine.
  5. Mix in eggs and milk into the dry ingredients and stir until all ingredients are well mixed in.
  6. Peel and slice apples.
  7. Grease and flour a 10-inch springform pan. 
  8. On a floured surface, roll out half the dough to a 10-inch circle. Put in the spring form pan.
  9. Top with sliced apples, and then the second half of the dough.
  10. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
  11. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from breaking apart.
  12. To make the best frosting for apple cake, heat heavy cream and butter over medium heat until just boiling, while stirring frequently.
  13. Add white chocolate and Irish whiskey to a mixing bowl.
  14. Pour hot heavy cream over the white chocolate and stir until the chocolate has completely melted. 
  15. Slice and serve with sauce.

Recipe Notes

How to Store Apple Cake

  • Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze slices individually for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.