Apple Dapple Cake: the phenomenal recipe for a tasty vintage dessert

Loaded with apples, nuts, and warming baking spices, apple dapple cake is a beautiful old-fashioned dessert that's perfect for fall. This delicious cake features a decadent caramel sauce drizzled over the top and is often made around Thanksgiving and Christmas. The cake is tender and moist with an unbeatable nutty, apple flavor. Both seasoned bakers and novices alike will find this cake a cinch to make. Using a stand mixer makes it effortless, but you can make the cake by hand, too. For a stunning autumnal dessert that's sure to impress, bake an apple dapple cake this holiday season.

What is Apple Dapple Cake?

Apple dapple cake is a vintage recipe. Its origins are unclear – some say it's a traditional Amish recipe while others swear it's a classic Southern dessert. While no one is quite sure where it comes from, everyone can agree that apple dapple cake is amazing!

What are the Best Apples for Apple Dapple Cake?

Because apple dapple cake is relatively sweet (especially when drizzled with all that gorgeous caramel), it's better to opt for a tart cooking apple. Granny Smith apples are the go-to for many folks as they have that perfect amount of tartness to balance out sweet desserts.

How to make Caramel Sauce for Apple Dapple Cake

If you want to make a perfect caramel sauce for your apple dapple cake, start by cooking all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk, then bring to simmer for 3 minutes, continuing to stirring from time to time. That is it! Now your caramel sauce is ready to be drizzled over the apple dapple cake.

Tips for Making the Best Apple Dapple Cake

Let your ingredients come up to room temperature before you start baking.

Serve your apple dapple cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

How to Store and Freeze Apple Dapple Cake

Place leftover apple dapple cake in an airtight container and leave it at room temperature. It'll stay fresh for up to 4 to 5 days.

Make apple dapple cake ahead of time and freeze it until you're ready to enjoy it. Cover it and place the cake in an airtight container and enjoy it within 1 month.

How to Make Apple Dapple Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a springform pan with butter.

Place oil, white sugar, and brown sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer. Set it to the low and beat until combined.

Set the mixer to medium and beat in one egg at a time. Beat in the vanilla.

In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the oil-sugar mixture until the batter is combined. Turn off the mixer.

Fold the nuts into the batter.

Now fold the apples into the batter.

Transfer the batter to the springform pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, then remove from oven.

In the meanwhile, make the caramel sauce. Pour the ingredients into a saucepan. Heat over medium flame, and whisk to combine.

Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When the apple dapple cake is ready, remove it from the oven.

Drizzle over the cake while the cake is still warm.

Garnish with toasted pecans and walnuts. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use any neutral tasting oil in this recipe. Vegetable, canola, and grapeseed oil are excellent options.

Choose an 8 or 9-inch springform pan to make your apple dapple cake. When greasing your pan, don't forget the sides!