Name: Easy Apple Dapple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups canola or vegetable oil; 2 cups granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 3 cups self-rising flour; 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 4 cups peeled, chopped apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith); 1 cup chopped pecans, lightly toasted; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup milk

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There are certain recipes that just feel like a cherished piece of history. They often have charming, old-fashioned names that evoke a sense of warmth, family, and pure comfort. If you’ve ever heard whispers of a legendary Southern dessert called an “Apple Dapple Cake,” get ready to discover the magic for yourself. This isn’t just a cake; it’s a slice of pure, unadulterated comfort.

Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients
Timing
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Your Pan
Step 2: Mix the Simple Cake Batter
Step 3: Bake the Cake to Golden Perfection
Step 4: Prepare and Pour the Hot Brown Sugar Topping
Step 5: Cool and Serve Your Moist Apple Dapple Cake

Nutritional Information
Healthier Alternatives
Serving Suggestions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
Conclusion
FAQs

Q1. What are the best apples to use for this cake?
Q2. I don’t have self-rising flour. How do I make my own?
Q3. Can I make this Apple Dapple Cake without nuts?

Easy Apple Dapple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

Description
Ingredients

For the Apple Pecan Cake
For the Brown Sugar Topping

Instructions
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?

This classic Apple Dapple Cake is renowned for one incredible quality: its unbelievable moisture. The secret lies not just in the heaps of fresh apples and pecans studding the batter, but in a brilliant finishing touch—a hot, buttery brown sugar glaze that gets poured over the cake the second it comes out of the oven. This luscious topping soaks deep into the warm cake, creating a tender, decadent crumb that is simply unforgettable.

What You’ll Need: Ingredients

This beloved cake uses simple pantry staples to create a truly spectacular result. Using a firm, crisp apple variety is key to getting the perfect texture.

Component	Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
For the Apple Pecan Cake	Canola or vegetable oil	1 1/2 cups
	Granulated sugar	2 cups
	Large eggs	3
	Self-rising flour	3 cups
	Ground cinnamon	1 1/2 tsp
	Pure vanilla extract	2 tsp
	Peeled, chopped apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)	4 cups
	Chopped pecans, lightly toasted	1 cup
For the Brown Sugar Topping	Unsalted butter	1/2 cup
	Brown sugar, packed	1 cup
	Milk	1/4 cup

Timing

This is a simple “mix and bake” cake, with most of the time spent letting the oven do the work. It’s the perfect low-effort, high-reward dessert.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Glazing/Soaking Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour, 35 minutes (plus cooling time)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the most moist and flavourful apple cake you’ve ever had.

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Your Pan

First, get your oven ready for this cozy bake. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Generously grease and flour a 13×9-inch baking pan. This will ensure your incredibly moist cake doesn’t stick.

Step 2: Mix the Simple Cake Batter

In a large bowl using a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, whip together the oil and granulated sugar until they are well combined, which should take about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing for an additional minute until the mixture is smooth.

Next, add the self-rising flour and cinnamon to the bowl. Mix on medium-low speed only until the flour is just combined.

Pro Tip: The secret to a tender cake is to not overmix the batter once the flour is added!

Finally, using a spatula, stir in the chopped apples, chopped pecans, and vanilla extract.

Step 3: Bake the Cake to Golden Perfection

Pour the thick, chunky batter into your prepared 13×9-inch pan and use the spatula to spread it into an even layer. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. You’ll know the cake is done when a wooden toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 4: Prepare and Pour the Hot Brown Sugar Topping

This is the most important step for an ultra-moist Apple Dapple Cake! When there are about 5 minutes remaining on the cake’s baking time, prepare your topping. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and milk. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let it boil for 3 minutes.

As soon as you pull the hot cake from the oven, immediately and evenly pour the hot topping all over the surface of the cake. You will hear it sizzle as the cake begins to absorb that luscious brown sugar glaze.

Step 5: Cool and Serve Your Moist Apple Dapple Cake

Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack. This cake is absolutely divine when served warm, but it’s also wonderful at room temperature. The glaze will set slightly as it cools, creating a wonderfully sweet and buttery top crust. Slice into squares and serve.

Nutritional Information

This is a rich, classic comfort food cake. Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per slice, assuming the cake is cut into 15 slices.

Calories: ~480 kcal
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 60 g (Sugar: 40g)
Fat: 25 g (Saturated Fat: 6 g)

Healthier Alternatives

While this cake is a true indulgence, here are a few possible swaps:

Oil Choice: You can use a neutral oil with healthy fats, such as avocado oil, in place of the canola or vegetable oil.
Reduce Sugar: You can slightly reduce the granulated sugar in the cake batter to 1 ½ cups, and the brown sugar in the topping to ¾ cup, though this will result in a slightly less moist cake.
Nut-Free Option: For a nut-free version, simply omit the pecans. The cake will still be incredibly delicious and moist.

Serving Suggestions

This Apple Dapple Cake is so wonderfully moist and flavourful from the built-in glaze that it needs very little accompaniment.

Perfectly Simple: The best way to enjoy this cake is warm, just as it is, with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. The rich, buttery glaze provides all the flavour you need.
A La Mode: For a truly decadent dessert experience, serve a warm slice with a small scoop of high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. The ice cream will melt beautifully into the warm, gooey topping.
Potluck Favorite: This cake is baked in a 13×9 pan, making it easy to transport and perfect for sharing at potlucks, family gatherings, or any fall celebration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Follow these simple tips to ensure your Apple Dapple Cake is a stunning success.

Overmixing the Batter: This is the most common baking mistake and can lead to a tough, dense cake.
- Solution: Once you add the flour, mix on the lowest speed and stop the moment you no longer see streaks of dry flour. The final additions of apples and pecans should be gently stirred in by hand.
Using the Wrong Flour: This recipe is specifically designed for self-rising flour, which already contains baking powder and salt.
- Solution: If you only have all-purpose flour, you can easily make your own substitute! For every 1 cup of all-purpose flour, simply whisk in 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt. For this recipe, you would need 4 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¾ teaspoon of salt for the 3 cups of flour.
Pouring the Glaze on a Cold Cake: The magic of this cake is in the absorption. If the cake is cool, the glaze will just sit on top instead of soaking in.
- Solution: Be sure to make the glaze during the last few minutes of the cake’s baking time so you can pour the hot glaze over the hot cake immediately after it comes out of the oven.

Storing and Make-Ahead Tips

Thanks to the oil base and the soak-in glaze, this cake has incredible keeping qualities.

Storing: Store the cooled cake, covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil, at room temperature for up to 4 days. It will stay wonderfully moist.
Freezing: This cake also freezes beautifully. You can freeze the entire cake or individual slices. Wrap them well in two layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let the cake thaw at room temperature before serving.

Conclusion

The Apple Dapple Cake is a true Southern treasure for a reason. It’s a simple, no-fuss cake that delivers an astonishing level of moisture and comforting flavour. The brilliant technique of pouring a hot, buttery glaze over the warm cake creates a tender, decadent dessert that is perfectly complemented by the sweet apples and crunchy pecans. It’s a timeless recipe that is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

We are so excited for you to experience the comforting magic of this incredible cake. Give this Apple Dapple Cake a try for your next family gathering and let us know how much you loved it in the comments below! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and subscribe for more timeless and delicious baking inspiration.

FAQs

Q1. What are the best apples to use for this cake?

The recipe specifies Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, which are both excellent choices. You want a firm apple that will hold its shape during the long baking time without turning to mush. Other great options include Braeburn, Jonagold, or Gala apples.

Q2. I don’t have self-rising flour. How do I make my own?

It’s easy! To make your own self-rising flour for this recipe, you will need 3 cups of all-purpose flour. In a bowl, whisk it together with 4 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¾ teaspoon of salt. Then, use it as directed in the recipe.

Q3. Can I make this Apple Dapple Cake without nuts?

Absolutely! If you need a nut-free version, you can simply omit the chopped pecans. The cake will be just as moist and delicious without them.