Carrie Abshire's Fresh Apple Cake

18 servings Prep: 20 m Cook: 50 m Total: 1 h 10 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Carrie Abshire's Fresh Apple Cake
This is a recipe my mom used to make to take to work with fresh apples, pecans, and warm spices. It was really good, and she’d always have to make sure my sister and I didn’t eat it before she got it out of the door. The cake is incredibly moist from the apple slices and has a wonderful homestyle texture.

Ingredients

18 servings
  • 4 cups peeled apple slices
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, optional

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix the apple slices and sugar together in a large bowl and let sit for a few minutes while you gather the other ingredients.
  2. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to the apple mixture and stir to combine.
  3. Separately, in a bowl, beat together the eggs, oil and vanilla extract. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  4. Stir in the pecans if using, and pour into a greased 13x9 inch pan. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature, plain or with vanilla ice cream.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my cake dry?

A: Make sure you're measuring the apples after slicing (you need a full 4 cups), and don't overbake. Check at 45 minutes - the toothpick should come out clean but the cake should still feel moist to the touch.

Q: Can I use a different pan size?

A: Yes, but adjust baking time. A 9x13 inch pan works perfectly at 50 minutes. Two 9-inch round pans will need about 35-40 minutes. A bundt pan will need 55-60 minutes.

Q: Do the apples need to be a specific variety?

A: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or any firm baking apple works great. Avoid Red Delicious as they get too soft. A mix of tart and sweet apples gives the best flavor.

Tips and Techniques

Let the sliced apples sit with the sugar for 5-10 minutes before adding the other ingredients - this helps create extra moisture in the cake. The batter will seem thick and chunky with all those apples, but that’s exactly right.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • oil: melted butter or applesauce
  • pecans: walnuts or leave them out entirely

Equipment Needed

  • 13x9 inch baking pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Vegetable peeler