If there’s one dessert I love to make (and share) when apple season rolls in, it’s this irresistibly moist Apple Bundt Cake. Packed with fresh apple chunks, cozy spices, and a sweet, tangy glaze, every slice feels like a celebration of fall’s best flavors. Whether you serve it for a holiday, a family gathering, or an afternoon treat with coffee, this Apple Bundt Cake is an absolute crowd-pleaser—you’ll be amazed how quickly it disappears!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Apple Bundt Cake lies in its balance of simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Each one brings something special to the table, from fragrance to tenderness, all combining into a cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of the cake, giving it enough structure to support those juicy apple chunks.
Baking soda & baking powder: This dynamic duo helps the cake rise, making it wonderfully light and airy despite its hearty flavors.
Salt: Just a touch sharpens all the other flavors, ensuring your cake never tastes flat.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice—warming, sweet, and always associated with apples!
Ground nutmeg: Adds a gentle, cozy depth that accentuates the apple and cinnamon.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake tender and exceptionally moist, even after a day or two.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and balances the tart apples.
Eggs: Three eggs help hold everything together and create a rich, dense crumb.
Pure vanilla extract: For that comforting, aromatic finish in every bite.
Peeled and diced apples: Fresh apples bring bursts of fruitiness and texture—mix up tart and sweet varieties for best results.
Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with apples.
Powdered sugar (for the glaze): Forms a silky glaze that looks gorgeous and adds sweetness.
Apple cider or milk (for the glaze): Apple cider amplifies the fruit flavor, but milk works for a more classic glaze.
Vanilla extract (for the glaze): A hint of vanilla ties the glaze together perfectly.

How to Make Apple Bundt Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Bundt Pan and Preheat the Oven

First things first, set yourself up for cake success! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then generously grease and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan. Getting every nook and cranny is key—this prevents the Apple Bundt Cake from sticking and ensures those beautiful curves come out flawlessly when you turn the cake out later.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisking not only combines everything evenly, but it also helps aerate the flour, which subtly improves the cake’s final texture. That spice aroma just hints at what’s to come!

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the vegetable oil and sugar until well combined—this base guarantees a moist crumb. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each, then stir in the vanilla extract for a lovely richness.

Step 4: Make the Batter

Now, gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined—over-mixing can make your Apple Bundt Cake tough, so stop once the flour disappears. It’s okay if the batter seems a bit thick!

Step 5: Add Apples and Nuts

Fold in the diced apples by hand, ensuring they’re evenly dispersed. If you’re a nut lover, add in your walnuts or pecans at this stage. Every bite will deliver juicy fruit and a touch of crunch!

Step 6: Bake

Transfer the batter into your prepared Bundt pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly as it bakes! Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack.

Step 7: Glaze and Finish

While the cake is cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider or milk, and a splash of vanilla extract until you have a smooth glaze. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze generously over the top; it’ll set into a lovely sheen that makes each slice look bakery-worthy.

How to Serve Apple Bundt Cake

Garnishes

An Apple Bundt Cake is a showstopper all on its own, but if you want to add a little extra sparkle, try a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar across the glaze. A handful of chopped toasted nuts on top makes for a beautiful (and tasty) finishing touch, and thin apple slices arranged artfully give a hint about the deliciousness inside.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs perfectly with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or—my personal favorite—a side of tangy Greek yogurt. The creamy, cool sides highlight the Apple Bundt Cake’s warmth and spice, making it a truly comforting treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Apple Bundt Cake into a festive centerpiece! Serve it atop a pretty cake stand surrounded by mini pumpkins and fresh apples for an autumn gathering. Or slice it thick and arrange pieces in a circular pattern on a platter, drizzled with extra glaze and scattered with candied nuts for a more decadent dessert board. It’s lovely as the spotlight dessert for brunches and tea parties, too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Apple Bundt Cake fresh and moist, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The flavors mellow and meld together even more after the first day, so don’t worry about making it ahead!

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. Just wrap individual slices (or the whole cake) tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, then pop into a freezer-safe bag. It’ll keep for up to 2 months—whenever you crave homemade Apple Bundt Cake, all you have to do is thaw and enjoy.

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm leftover slices for a few seconds in the microwave. If you want, pop them into a low oven (about 300°F) for 10 minutes. Either method brings back that lovely, cozy texture and amps up the aroma of apples and spice.

FAQs

Can I use different types of apples in this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to use a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor and texture. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are my favorites, but Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady work beautifully in this Apple Bundt Cake.

Is it necessary to peel the apples?

It’s best to peel the apples for this recipe, as the skins can become tough during baking. Peeling ensures that every bite of your Apple Bundt Cake is tender and smooth.

Can I make Apple Bundt Cake without nuts?

Of course! The nuts are totally optional. If you’re not a fan or someone has an allergy, simply leave them out—the cake will still be moist, delicious, and full of apple flavor.

What should I do if my cake sticks to the pan?

If your Apple Bundt Cake is stubborn, try letting it sit in the pan for a bit longer before inverting. Running a thin knife gently around the edges can help release it. Greasing and flouring the pan thoroughly before baking is the best prevention.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend (ideally one with xanthan gum for structure). Results may vary slightly, but you can still enjoy a delicious gluten-free Apple Bundt Cake.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for that one go-to autumn dessert, you’ve found it with this Apple Bundt Cake. It’s easy enough for a weeknight treat but impressive enough for any special occasion. I hope you adore this recipe as much as I do—gather your apples, warm up your oven, and get ready for some sweet, cinnamon-spiced magic!

Apple Bundt Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Apple Bundt Cake is a delicious and moist cake loaded with diced apples and warm spices, topped with a sweet glaze. Perfect for fall or any time of the year!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups peeled and diced apples (about 3 medium)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons apple cider or milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat oil and sugar, add eggs one at a time, mix in vanilla, then add dry ingredients gradually.
Add Apples and Nuts: Fold in diced apples and nuts, then pour batter into the pan and bake for 55–65 minutes.
Glaze: Mix powdered sugar, apple cider, and vanilla for the glaze. Drizzle over cooled cake.

Notes

Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor.
The cake keeps well covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American