This Melt-in-Your-Mouth Apple Pie Cake is a wonderfully soft, moist dessert filled with tender apple pieces and a rich, creamy vanilla batter. Unlike traditional apple pie with a pastry crust, this recipe creates a fluffy, custard-like cake with a golden top and juicy apple filling.
Just like the picture, it is baked in a square pan, cut into generous slices, and finished with a beautiful dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, family gatherings, or a comforting homemade dessert.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
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3 medium apples, peeled and diced into small cubes
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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2 tablespoons granulated sugar
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½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Creamy Cake Batter
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
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½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
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½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil or melted butter
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½ cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
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1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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¼ teaspoon salt
For the Topping
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2 tablespoons powdered sugar
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¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
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1 tablespoon sliced almonds (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9-inch (23 cm) square baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper to make removing the cake easier.
A square springform pan, like the one shown in the picture, also works beautifully.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
Peel and core the apples, then chop them into small, bite-sized cubes.
Place them in a mixing bowl and add the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
Toss everything together until the apple pieces are evenly coated.
Set aside while preparing the batter. The apples will release a little natural juice, which helps keep the finished cake moist.
Step 3: Beat the Eggs and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and granulated sugar.
Using an electric hand mixer, beat for 3–4 minutes until the mixture becomes pale, thick, and slightly fluffy.
This step helps create a light cake texture.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour the milk, vegetable oil or melted butter, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract into the egg mixture.
Mix on low speed until everything is smooth and well combined.
The yogurt gives the cake a soft, tender texture and adds a slightly creamy richness.
Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Fold gently using a spatula until no dry flour remains.
Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cake dense rather than soft and fluffy.
The finished batter should be smooth, creamy, and thick enough to coat the apple pieces.
Step 6: Combine the Apples and Batter
Add the prepared apple cubes to the cake batter.
Gently fold until the apples are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
For a cake similar to the picture, make sure there are plenty of apple pieces in every portion.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula.
Lightly tap the pan on the countertop to remove large air bubbles.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Place the pan on the middle rack of the preheated oven.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
Insert a toothpick into the cake portion. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil for the final 10 minutes.
Step 8: Cool and Dust with Powdered Sugar
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for approximately 15–20 minutes.
Carefully release the springform pan or lift the cake out using the parchment paper.
Transfer to a serving platter.
Once slightly cooled, generously dust the top with powdered sugar.
Cut into 9–12 square slices.
For the beautiful presentation shown in the image, arrange the slices together on a white serving platter and lift one piece to reveal the creamy apple-filled center.
Tips and Notes
Choose the right apples: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Golden Delicious apples are excellent choices. They provide natural sweetness and become tender during baking.
Cut apples into small pieces: Smaller apple cubes distribute more evenly throughout the cake and create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Use room-temperature eggs: This helps the batter mix smoothly and creates a lighter cake.
Do not overmix: Once the flour is added, stir only until combined.
For extra creaminess: Replace ¼ cup of the milk with heavy cream.
For a richer flavor: Use melted unsalted butter instead of vegetable oil.
Serve warm: This cake tastes especially delicious slightly warm, when the apple pieces are soft and fragrant.
Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Warm individual slices briefly before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this apple pie cake without yogurt?
Yes. You can replace Greek yogurt with an equal amount of sour cream. Both ingredients help keep the cake moist and tender.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but the texture will be slightly denser. For a softer cake, replace only half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
Why is my apple cake too wet in the center?
This may happen if the apples release excess moisture or the cake needs more baking time. Continue baking in 5-minute intervals until the center is properly set.
Can I add raisins or nuts?
Absolutely! Add ¼ cup of raisins, chopped walnuts, or pecans for additional flavor and texture.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes. Wrap individual slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Servings and Nutrition
Yield: 12 slices
Estimated nutrition per slice:
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Calories: 270 kcal
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Protein: 5 g
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Carbohydrates: 35 g
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Fat: 13 g
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Fiber: 2 g
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Sugar: 21 g
Nutrition values are approximate and vary depending on ingredients and serving sizes.
Final Serving Suggestion: Serve this Melt-in-Your-Mouth Apple Pie Cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a warm cup of tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The tender apple filling and soft vanilla cake make it a comforting dessert for any occasion.
