Food and Recipes Desserts Cakes Fresh Apple Cake 4.2 (12) 11 Reviews Thinly sliced apples create rich, moist layers of fruit within this cake. By Southern Living Editors Updated on November 30, 2022 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Total Time: 2 hrs Yield: 12 to 15 servings It isn't hard to understand why this recipe is a top-rated reader favorite dessert. This apple cake became an instant hit when the recipe was first published in 2001, and it continues to delight adults and children alike today. A lovely combination of our favorite fall flavors—apples, cinnamon, and nuts—are baked into a moist and delicious sheet cake and slathered with a tangy and fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting. A short prep time means you aren't in the kitchen long; you don't even need your mixer for this recipe. Be forewarned however—this is a very thick batter, almost like a cookie dough, and it takes a bit of stirring to incorporate the apples into the batter. But it is well worth the effort, because the end result is a super moist cake worthy of any family reunion or neighborhood potluck. Hannah Zimmerman Ingredients 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, divided 1 stick butter, melted 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into wedges Cream Cheese Frosting Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until blended. Combine flour, salt, cinnamon, baking soda and butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apples and 1 cup pecans. Spread thick batter into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Remove from oven when a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack for 30-45 minutes. Spread frosting (your choice) on cake and sprinkle with remaining pecans. Rate it Print