This heavenly Apple Bundt Cake is a delightful blend of sweet, moist perfection that takes just 90 minutes from start to finish. Each slice delivers a perfect balance of tender crumb and fresh apple goodness, making it an ideal treat for family gatherings or special occasions.
With simple prep work and foolproof baking time, you’ll create a showstopping dessert that packs both flavor and visual appeal. At 487 calories per serving, this classic bundt cake offers pure comfort in every forkful.
Fresh Apple Bundt Cake Ingredients
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): The foundation for our tender cake structure
- Fresh apples (2 large): Core ingredient, peeled and diced into small chunks for even distribution
- Oil (3/4 cup): Creates moisture and tender crumb texture
- Sugars: Blend of granulated (1 1/2 cups) and brown sugar (1/2 cup) for perfect sweetness
- Spices: Cinnamon (2 tsp) and nutmeg (1/2 tsp) for warm, autumn flavors
- Applesauce (1/2 cup): Adds natural sweetness and extra moisture
- Cream cheese layer ingredients: Cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and egg for creamy filling
Baking Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare bundt pan with thorough greasing and flouring
- Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth, combine with sugar, vanilla, and egg until silky
- Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a bowl
- Apple Prep: Toss diced apples with lemon juice to maintain freshness
- Wet Mixture: Blend oils, sugars, applesauce, vanilla, and egg until well combined
- Combine: Mix wet and dry ingredients gently, fold in apples
- Assembly: Layer half batter, cream cheese mixture in center, top with remaining batter
- Baking: Bake 60-75 minutes until toothpick comes clean
- Finishing: Cool briefly, then invert onto wire rack
Storage Tips
This apple bundt cake stays fresh and yummy when kept in the fridge! The cream cheese layer means refrigeration is a must. Pop it in an airtight container and it’ll keep well for up to 5 days.
Want to plan ahead? The caramel sauce can be made 1-2 weeks early, and the cream cheese filling can be prepared 2-3 days before baking. Just remember to bring slices to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
Make your apple bundt cake extra special with a few simple touches! While the caramel sauce is amazing on its own, try warming it slightly for an extra-gooey drizzle. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for a warm-and-cold combo that’s super tasty.
For breakfast or brunch, serve with hot coffee or spiced apple cider. A light dusting of powdered sugar on top adds a pretty finishing touch!
Baking Tips
Success with this cake is all about the little details! Be gentle when mixing – just until everything comes together. This keeps your cake nice and tender. The cream cheese layer is extra special, so take care to keep it away from the pan’s sides when adding it. Your bundt pan needs a thorough coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.
Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake rest in the pan for 5-10 minutes before turning it out – this timing is just right for easy removal.
Ingredient Notes
The best apples for this cake are firm and a bit tart – Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady work great! The applesauce adds moisture and extra apple flavor. Room temperature cream cheese is key for a smooth filling – just leave it out for about an hour before mixing.
If you’re out of brown sugar, white sugar with a tiny splash of molasses works too. The mix of cinnamon and nutmeg creates that cozy fall flavor, but you can adjust these spices to your taste.
Apple Bundt Cake
Equipment
- Bundt Pan
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
Instructions
- Make the Caramel Sauce (can be made and store in the refrigerator up to 1-2 weeks ahead of time.)
- In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and egg then mix until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Grease and flour a 9 or 10-inch bundt pan. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
