This Apple Snack Cake is a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. With a tender, moist crumb and bursts of sweet, cinnamon-kissed apples, every bite feels like a warm hug. Perfect for busy days, it comes together in just 20 minutes of prep and bakes to golden perfection in 25 minutes.
The cake’s delicate texture pairs beautifully with the subtle crunch of apple pieces, while a hint of warm spices adds depth and comfort. Whether enjoyed as an afternoon pick-me-up or a dessert, it’s a simple yet satisfying way to savor the flavors of fall. You’ll love how effortlessly it fills your kitchen with an irresistible, homey aroma.
Ingredients for Apple Snack Cake
- For the Streusel Topping:
- ⅓ cup (1½ oz/43 g) walnuts, toasted (or substitute pecans)
- ⅓ cup (1 oz/28 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup (2 oz/57 g) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamom (optional, or use nutmeg)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- For the Apple Cake:
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ⅔ cup (5 oz/142 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) peeled and grated apple, firmly packed (about 2 apples; use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 6 tablespoons (3 oz/85 g) butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or use melted coconut oil)
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (or substitute white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups (7½ oz/213 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom (optional, or use nutmeg)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and line an 8-inch (20-cm) square cake pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the Streusel Topping:
- In a food processor, combine walnuts, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom. Pulse until evenly crumbly.
- Transfer to a bowl and stir in melted butter until well combined. Set aside.
- Make the Apple Cake Batter:
- In a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer, beat eggs and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Add grated apple, melted butter, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined (do not overmix).
- Assemble and Bake:
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter, then gently pat it down to ensure it sticks.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
This Apple Snack Cake is delicious on its own, but it shines even brighter with a few thoughtful accompaniments. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a cozy dessert. For a breakfast or brunch treat, pair it with a cup of hot coffee or spiced chai tea. Pro tip: Drizzle a bit of caramel sauce over the top for an extra indulgent touch!
Storage Secrets: Keeping It Fresh
Store your Apple Snack Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep it longer, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat: Pop a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes to restore its fresh-baked texture.
Recipe Variations: Make It Your Own
Feel free to customize this cake to suit your taste! Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds in the streusel, or add raisins or dried cranberries to the batter for a fruity twist. If you’re not a fan of cardamom, try using nutmeg or allspice instead. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats.
Time-Saving Tips: Streamline Your Prep
To save time, grate the apples while the oven preheats and toast the walnuts in advance. If you don’t have a food processor, chop the walnuts finely by hand and mix the streusel ingredients in a bowl. Bonus tip: Use pre-measured spice blends like pumpkin pie spice to simplify the ingredient list without sacrificing flavor.
Apple Snack Cake
Ingredients
For the Streusel Topping
- ⅓ cup walnuts, toasted
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Apple Cake
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup peeled and grated apple, firmly packed about 2 apples
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and line an 8-inch (20-cm) square cake pan with parchment. Set aside.
- To Make the Streusel Topping: In the bowl of a food processor, add the walnuts, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom and pulse until the mixture is evenly crumbly. Transfer to a bowl, then stir in the melted butter until well combined. Set aside.
- To Make the Apple Cake: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or with a handheld electric mixer, beat the eggs and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Beat in the grated apple, butter, oil, vinegar, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt, then fold into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- To Assemble and Bake: Spread the batter in the prepared pan, then sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top. Pat the streusel gently to ensure that it will stick to the cake.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool at least 20 minutes before lifting it out of the pan to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
