Moist Amish Apple Cake Recipe with Cinnamon Crunch

I remember visiting my aunt’s farm one crisp fall day. We picked apples straight from the trees. That afternoon, we baked a simple cake with them. The smell filled the house. It brought everyone together. This recipe captures that warmth. It uses fresh apples for natural taste.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 3 medium apples)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

How to Make Amish Apple Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Set it aside.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Stir well.
3. Beat sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl. Use a whisk or mixer until smooth.
4. Add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
5. Fold in chopped apples and walnuts if using. Spread batter in the pan.
6. Bake for 40 minutes. Check with a toothpick. It should come out clean.
7. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Best Apples for This Recipe

Use tart apples like Granny Smith. They hold shape well. Honeycrisp or Gala work too. They add a nice bite. Avoid soft apples. They turn mushy.

For more apple ideas, check our best homemade apple pie recipe.

Tips and Variations

• Add raisins for extra chew.
• Mix in nutmeg for more spice.
• Top with a light powdered sugar dust.
• Make it dairy-free with plant oil.
• Bake in muffin tins for individual servings. Reduce time to 20 minutes.
• Test doneness early. Ovens vary.

Substitution Ideas

• Swap vegetable oil for applesauce. It cuts fat.
• Use gluten-free flour blend. Add a bit more liquid if needed.
• Replace walnuts with pecans.
• Try coconut sugar for brown sugar.
• Egg-free? Use flax eggs. Mix 2 tablespoons flax with 6 tablespoons water.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze slices wrapped in plastic for 2 months. Thaw overnight. Reheat in microwave for 10 seconds.

Make ahead: Prep batter a day before. Cover and chill. Bake fresh.

Learn more storage tips from our best bread storage tips for freshness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve plain with coffee. Add vanilla ice cream for dessert. Drizzle caramel sauce on top. Pair with tea in the afternoon. Great for potlucks or family meals.

This cake stays moist for days. It uses basic pantry items. Share it with friends. They will ask for the recipe. For similar treats, try our easy fudgy brownies from scratch.