No-Peel Apple Cake is VERY easy to make, there's no need to peel the apples and the aroma while it's baking is absolutely divine. This is a moist cake and it's delicious served warm from the oven. But I keep leftovers in the fridge and its equally good served cold. As an option, serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for some added wow factor. So yummy!
Ingredients to Have on Hand
The ingredients for this cake are basic pantry staples, just buy or pick a few delicious, fresh baking apples and you are set. Otherwise, here's your grocery list:
- 3 - 4 baking apples
- sugar
- brown sugar
- vanilla extract
- butter
- 1 egg
Apples for Baking
I grew up in eastern Washington and believe me, apples are a big, big deal in the Great Northwest. But not every apple variety is created equal.
For this recipe you'll want to choose an apple that will maintain it's shape after being diced, but that will also be tender and sweet with that distinctive and cozy fresh apple flavor.
According to the Washington Apple Commission, there are a wide variety of apples that are delicious for baking and some varieties are better in pies. But since this recipe is for a baked cake, here are the types of apples I use and recommend:
- Golden Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Honeycrisp
Baking Dish Options
No-Peel Apple Cake bakes beautifully in any shape baking dish as long as it's large enough to hold about 5 cups of the apple cake batter and it's small enough for the batter to spread to about 2 inches in height across the dish.
I prefer to use a 9" pie dish with fluted edges since it's the perfect size and it creates a beautiful presentation at serving time.
What I Love Most About This Recipe
It's so easy. This recipe is the best apple cake ever! It's an all in one apple cake that's a delicious way to enjoy a dessert that's scratch-made using fresh apples.
The apple cake is incredibly moist and the sugars combine with the butter to create a top "crust" that is just slightly crunchy when it's hot out of the oven.
This is my go-to apple dessert, especially when I'm short on time.
Harvest Meal Idea
This dessert recipe is wonderful any time of year, but especially during summer and fall when the apple harvest is underway. It's an easy apple cake recipe with just a few ingredients.
Optional Toppings
This moist apple cakes doesn't require a topping to be delicious, but if you prefer to have an extra layer of sweetness there are some terrific options.
I think you'll enjoy adding a teaspoon of warmed caramel sauce, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on each serving.
If you want to serve each slice warm, place each wedge of apple cake on a microwave safe plate and warm in the microwave for about 45 seconds on half power.
Top Tips and FAQ
This cake will be fine at room temperature for the first day after baking, but after that I recommend covering the cake with plastic wrap and storing it in the refrigerator.
This is a very moist cake and it's full of fresh apples so it needs to be stored in the refrigerator and enjoyed within four days.
Absolutely. After baking, cool the cake in it's baking dish then cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap and place it in the freezer.
Enjoy the cake within three months.
Defrost on the counter and serve it once it reaches room temperature.
Other Recipes to Try
Speaking of harvest, here are other recipes that are perfect for using up all the produce from a robust garden or after a big shopping trip to the Farmer's Market.
Do you have any extra cucumbers? I think you'll love my recipe for Refrigerator Pickles. How about all those extra fresh tomatoes? I highly recommend Tomato Basil Soup, it's delicious! But if it's chocolate cake you are craving then I highly recommend Old Fashioned Chocolate Pound Cake it's about as rich and decadent a chocolate cake that you'll find anywhere. Enjoy.
Be sure to give a star rating to the recipes you make from the Crinkled Cookbook. I always love hearing from you. Sharing is great too! Use the buttons after the recipe to text it with just one click or send it to family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook. Enjoy.
Beth says
I found this because I was looking for a cake recipe that didn't involve peeling the apples. (I could say it was for the health benefits of the skins, but really I was just feeling lazy.)
I cooked it in a cast iron pan and put a decorative layer of apples slices on the bottom of the pan first, which was very pretty when the cake was turned out. But it won't be around to admire for long!
Thanks for sharing the recipe. It's a winner!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Beth! Glad to hear you enjoyed this apple cake recipe, with the peels on. Cool that you baked it in a cast iron pan too. Thanks for the five star rating!
Bethany says
This reminds me of an apple dessert I ate in the Netherlands. So good!
Sherry says
This cake was absolutely the best! I loved that. I didn't have to peel the apples and that's what I was searching for when I found this recipe. Do you think I could use rhubarb and just kind of change the amount of sugar or whatever? The reason I think I could is because it releases so much moisture as the apples did.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Sherry, Thank you for the five star rating!! That's an intriguing idea, to replace apples with rhubarb. The sugar would likely need to be boosted by a few tablespoons since rhubarb is so tart and tangy. Keep me posted here in the comments if you make that substitution! 😉
Pam says
I made it and my son loved it. It was gone within an hour. Great easy recipe.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Pam! I'm so happy to hear your son enjoyed no-peel apple cake. Thanks for the update!
Kate says
Hi there -
Think you could make ahead and freeze?
Thanks!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi Kate, Thanks for your question! (Updated reply.) Yes. After baking, cool the cake and cover it tightly with foil then freeze. When you are ready to enjoy it, simply defrost the cake and serve once it reaches room temperature.
Marcia p Fitzpatrick says
I found this while looking for Apple recipes. I hadn't thought of doing what you have done, so I tried it. It's really good. I made it gluten-free and dairy free. I used Bob's red mill gluten-free 1 to 1 baking flour, replaced the sugars with Stevie N the Raw for the white and coconut sugar for the brown. I didn't have any ice cream or whipped topping, so I just tried it without. Still good! It does need a sauce, though.
Shirley says
My husband says it's the best dessert he's ever eaten.
I did add ground cloves.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Wow! I love hearing that Shirley, what a lovely compliment. Thank you - and I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Theresa Capri says
I made this the first time using the whole amount of sugar and thought it was too sweet for my tastebuds. The second time I halved the sugar and it was just right for our family. I used gravenstein apples (measured 4 1/2 cups) off our tree and I did a modification the second time (today)..put about 1/2 tsp vanilla and 3-4 TBSP peanut butter and about 1/4 cup raisins with the wet ingredients. Thanks for sharing this! I will make it again!
Swissrose says
Agree about the amount of apples being really great, and not peeling them made it that much easier without degrading the texture. I added sliced almonds on top before I baked it and it added crunch. It was a hit at the party I took it to.
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
I'm happy to hear the apple cake was a hit at the party! 🙂
Sharion says
I was just wondering if I could add nuts. Did you toast the almonds 1st? I want to add walnuts ☺️
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hello! I've not used walnuts or almonds in this recipe, but if you do please keep me posted here in the comments.
Elizabeth says
What a fabulous idea for a cake! It’s so easy to make and my whole family loved it! I’ll definitely be making it again. Thanks for sharing!
Addie says
I love apple desserts year round! This was total comfort food and so delicious!!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This looks Incredibly delicious. I have to make this soon for my family!
Melissa says
I am much more likely to make this since the preparation is so much quicker. Thank you for creating this recipe!
Bri says
This looks heavenly!! I love anything with apples. Yum!
Pamela says
No more wasted apples at my house. Loved the recipe. Can't wait to bake it. You made my day!
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
I'm so happy to hear this Pamela! I love how easy this recipe is too. Another bonus! 🙂
Amanda says
My husband and I absolutely love this recipe! It was gone within 48 hours. Absolutely loved how much Apples there were compared to cake. Definitely a great fall dessert. Or anytime of the year as a matter or any time, as a matter of fact! I made it a second time to serve my parents - they immediately asked for the recipe! Can’t wait to make this throughout the rest of the season for all my friends, and myself of course!
melindakkeckler says
I'm so glad you loved this recipe Amanda! Thanks for sharing it with your parents too. There's just nothing better than a family favorite fall dessert. 🙂