Delicious and moist, this cake is filled with apples, cinnamon and nuts! It’s a great addition to any brunch, or to pair with a cup of coffee on Saturday morning! Topped with a drizzle of honey icing for the perfect treat.
We love comfort food, and apple cake is a perfect example. If you have extra apples on hand be sure to give our Apple Dumplings a try, and top them with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.
Paula Deen’s Apple Cake
I owe this recipe to Paula Deen who claims to owe it to her Uncle Bob. It’s filled with fresh Granny Smith apples sweetened with cinnamon, and an out-of-this-world honey glaze.
The walnuts add a perfect crunch!
Paula Deen makes a delicious banana pudding recipe, so I knew I would love this cake too!
- Perfectly sweetened apple cake (with chunks of fresh apples).
- Bundt cake for beautiful serving.
- A touch of honey in the icing is a flavorful complement to this fall cake.
You’ll never find me turning away an opportunity to bake (and eat) more instant pot apple cake, so when I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it.
Love apples for breakfast? Try our apple cinnamon rolls next!
Ingredient Notes
- Apples – Fresh apples (not apple pie filling or canned). Peel, core and dice the apples before making the cake.
- Walnuts – Pecans can be substituted. Toast the nuts first for best results. This cake would be tasty without the nuts too, if you need it to be nut free.
- Honey – Maple syrup works as a substitute but (obviously) will give the cake a maple flavor–also delicious! You could also substitute agave nectar for a more mild flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1. Divide ingredients into bowls
I get everything ready by dividing three combinations of ingredients into separate bowls.
In one bowl, toss the apples with walnuts, vanilla extract and cinnamon. In another bowl, sift together the flour with kosher salt and baking soda. In the third largest mixing bowl, beat the sugar with eggs and oil.
STEP 2. Make the batter
Now, add the flour mixture to the egg mixture, beating well until combined. Fold in the apple-walnut mixture.
STEP 3. Bake
Pour the batter into a greased bundt pan (or use my homemade cake release) and bake for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. For dark pans, you may need less time!
Let the cake cool in the pan completely, then turn it out on a cake plate.
STEP 4. Make the glaze
Combine the powdered sugar, honey and milk in a bowl or glass measuring cup and whisk until totally smooth.
Drizzle the honey glaze over the cooled apple cake. Slice and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Granny Smith are far and away my favorite apples for baking! If you don’t have any and can’t get them, choose the next tartest option for best flavor, such as Pink Lady.
A standard bundt pan (holds 12 cups of batter) or tube pan is preferred.
Use a long cake tester, inserted into the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready to come out of the oven. This could take anywhere from 80 to 100 minutes, depending on your oven, environment and the color of your cake pan.
Keep it covered in the fridge–a cake plate with a cover works great to store the cake. It will keep well for up to 3 days. I love the way it tastes cold from the fridge!
More Dessert Recipes
- Apple Spice Muffins
- Apple Crumble Recipe
- Apple Cake in the Crockpot
- Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake
- Apple Hand Pies
- Apple Pie Doughnuts
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Apple Cake with Honey Glaze
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups diced apples
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon milk
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the apples, walnuts, vanilla, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Using an electric mixer beat the sugar, oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Add in the dry ingredients and beat until completely combined. Fold in the apple mixture.
- Scrape the batter into a lightly greased Bundt pan or tube pan.Bake in a 325 degree F oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean (for dark pans it may be a little shorter).
- Allow the cake to fully cool in the pan, about 1 hour, and then turn it out onto a plate.
- For the glaze, add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake.
- Store covered cake in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Drizzle the apple cake with some of the honey glaze, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- What kind of apples should you use for baking? Granny Smith are far and away my favorite apples for baking! If you don't have any and can't get them, choose the next tartest option for best flavor, such as Pink Lady.
- What kind of pan do you need to make this? A standard bundt pan (holds 12 cups of batter) or tube pan is preferred.
- How can I tell when the cake is ready? Use a long cake tester, inserted into the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready to come out of the oven. This could take anywhere from 80 to 100 minutes, depending on your oven, environment and the color of your cake pan.
- How should you store this apple cake? Keep it covered in the fridge–a cake plate with a cover works great to store the cake. It will keep well for up to 3 days. I love the way it tastes cold from the fridge!
Nutrition
This best-ever Apple Bundt Cake with honey glaze never fails to impress. Save this recipe for your next autumn brunch gathering. . . or just to share with all the apple dessert lovers in your life!
Can you freeze the apple cake?
One of my family’s favorite cakes,so easy to make
This cake is amazing! My husband couldn’t stop eating it and said it’s the best I’ve ever made. I made it for Rosh Hashanna which is perfect! I made 4 more the following week to give out to all my neighbors. So so so good!
Had some guests coming and spotted this desert which seemed a bit different. One guy said he wasn’t a big cake fan. Surprise! Everyone loved it and he came back for a second and bigger slice! Wow! Fantastic taste and easy to put together. Sorry but there’s no way this cake will be around for 30 days. More like 2. THANK YOU!!!
Love love love this apple cake and will be making it all fall! Soo yummy!
Love this Apple cake!
This cake was amazing, perfect for fall. I used pecans because that was what I had on hand and it was amazing, plus my house smells amazing!
This apple cake was so tasty, with all my favorite fall flavors.
Do you have to use that kind of pan for this recipe?
I am making this cake now. Smells amazing!! I am one hour in and it seems done. May not take a whole hour and a half. Thank you for the recipe!!
Definitely check the center with a toothpick or cake tester! I know people’s oven temps vary, as does using different sized bundt pans. ENJOY 🙂
I love how blogging allows you to take what would otherwise be dessert, but change the name, and now it’s a breakfast recipe. It warms my soul. Now I don’t feel bad about enjoying ‘breakfast’ brownies with a cup of coffee
Biscotti (cookies) are a true example, haha!