The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (2024)

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by Sarah Thomas-Drawbaugh July 17, 2020

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This skillet Dutch apple cake recipe is one of the best apple cake recipes of all time. It’s moist, delicious and very easy to make. Growing up, my family had a cabin in rural Pennsylvania. This specific area was home to an Amish community who were known for being gifted at a number of things, including their baked goods.

Overtime, my Mom was able to get her hands on a version of their delicious apple cake recipe. Growing up, she would make this cake for us and every time it was so incredible. I made a few Healthyish tweaks to make it my own.

For example, the original recipe did not call for vanilla, but I added some because I love the warm vanilla flavor. Also, I swapped out the shortening for unsalted butter. Lastly, I increased the sugar from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup for just a touch more sweetness. The end result is the best Dutch apple cake recipe of all time.

The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (1)

Table of Contents

About this Skillet Dutch Apple Cake Recipe

The crumb in this cake is light, flaky and moist. It is NOT a sweet cake, which is why I think it has been so popular. The cake really gets most of its sweetness from the apples. Making it perfect for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee. You can also enjoy it as a snacking cake throughout the day, or simply as a traditional dessert.

Perfect for any occasion, this apple cake is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. Best when served warm from the oven. Top with ice cream, or powdered sugar for the ultimate treat.

The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (2)

Tips for Perfect Dutch Apple Cake

  • When prepping the dry ingredients be sure to sift the flour. Sifting the flour is what gives this cake its light, fluffy texture. As tempting as it may be, DO NOT skip this step.
  • It is equally as important that you cut the butter into the sifted flour, baking powder, salt and cane sugar. You can use a fork OR two knifes, but just make sure there a no big lumps of butter. You want it fully incorporated. I find using a fork works best.
  • Be sure to use one honey crisp and one granny smith apple in this recipe. Mixing these two apple varieties gives this dish the ultimate flavor. You should peel, core and slice the apples thin. This allows the apples to soften when baking. You can also dice the apples, for a fun twist. Just make sure they are about the size of a dime or nickel so they soften properly.
  • Also, only add one layer of apples on top of the batter. There can be some overlap if you slice them, but one layer is all you need.
The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (3)

Important Pan Information

Cast Iron Skillet – You can use a 10-inch cast iron skillet for this recipe. Be sure to spray it with non-stick baking spray before you add the batter and apples. Bake the cake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Personally, I prefer using the cast iron skillet vs. the spring form pan.

Spring Form Pan – Alternatively, you can use a 9-inch spring form pan for this recipe. Make sure the bottom is locked in place to prevent leaks. I always add a baking tray on the rack beneath my spring form pan, as I find it almost always leaks some juice from the apples. Placing the baking tray on the rack beneath the spring form pan prevents the oven from smoking. Be sure to spray the spring form pan with non-stick baking spray before you add the batter and apples. Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Storage

Store leftover cake covered on the counter for two to three days. You can enjoy it at room temperature or warm it in the microwave.

Looking for more recipes?

  • Easy Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Cornbread Pudding

The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (4)

The BEST Dutch Apple Cake

This Dutch apple cake recipe is one of the best apple cake recipes of all time. It’s moist, delicious and very easy to make.

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5 from 4 votes

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Ingredients

Dutch Apple Cake

  • 1 + ¾ cups AP flour, all purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup cane sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, soft, 4 tablespoons
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup 2% milk

Apple Topping

  • 2 medium apples, peel, core and slice thin – granny smith / honey crisp
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup cane sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Equipment

  • 1 10 inch cast-iron skillet or 9-inch spring form pan

  • 3 mixing bowls

  • 1 whisk

  • 1 fork

  • 1 spatula

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven 375 degrees.

  • Grease a 9-inch cast iron pan. Set it aside.

Apple Topping

  • Peel, core and slice one granny smith and one honey crisp apple. Add it to a large mixing bowl, toss it with cane sugar, light brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix well. Set aside.

Dutch Apple Cake

  • Sift the AP flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the salt, baking powder and cane sugar. Mix with a whisk.

    Next, add the soft butter to the flour mixture. Using a fork OR two knives, cut the butter into the flour mixture. Be sure there are no large lumps and the butter is well incorporated.

  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine the milk, egg and vanilla. Whisk well.

  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients and gently fold everything together. The batter will be sticky.

  • Pour the batter to the prepared cast iron skillet. Spread it out evenly. Add the sliced or diced apples and gently press them into the batter. Be sure you only add one layer of apples. Some overlap with the sliced apples is ok, but one layer works best.

  • Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  • Remove from the oven and serve slightly warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 248kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 293mg, Potassium: 119mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 237IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 124mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 248

posted in: Dessert Recipes, Snack Recipes

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    6 Comments on “The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake”

  1. The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (5)

    Marsha Reply

    What type of apples do you use?

    • The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (6)

      Sarah Thomas-Drawbaugh Reply

      one granny smith and one honey crisp!

  2. The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (7)

    Sam Reply

    I made this over the weekend just as a little breakfast treat. It was delicious and I love how good it made the whole house smell. I will definitely be making this again come the fall.

  3. The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (8)

    Sharron Furniss Reply

    Great Apple Dutch cake, guests really enjoyed this treat and the house smelt scrumptious and homely.

  4. The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (9)

    Zipporah Reply

    So fully, flavorful and delicious!! Perfect with my cup of espresso 🙂

  5. The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (10)

    Lori Reply

    I don’t normally bake but made this because I had everything on hand. This was really good, not sweet, and goes excellent for breakfast with coffee.

The BEST Skillet Dutch Apple Cake (2024)

FAQs

What is the best apple to use in a cake? ›

Granny Smith (Tart)

Granny Smiths are typically my go-to apple for baking, so I'll always have them on hand during the fall months. Their tart, citrusy flavor make them perfect for sweet baked goods, where there's sugar in the recipe. I love using these for homemade caramel apples, too.

Why does my apple cake fall apart? ›

Why Did My Apple Cake Fall Apart? There are two main reasons why an apple cake would fall apart: (1) it was simply too warm when you were trying to cut and serve it or (2) you used too many/the wrong kind of apple.

What 4 apples are best used for baking? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

What is the sweetest apple for baking? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

Why is my fruitcake dry and crumbly? ›

Cakes crumble because they've dried out too much. From years of baking, I know that dry cakes happen for one of two reasons; using too much of your dry ingredients or over-baking your cake.

Why is my apple cake raw in the middle? ›

The most common yet overlooked reasons why do cakes sink in the middle may include:
  1. Inaccurate Oven Temperature. Oven temperature can alone ruin your cake! ...
  2. Old and Excessive Baking Powder/Soda. ...
  3. Under-cooked Cake Layers. ...
  4. Incorrect Measurements. ...
  5. Overbeating the Batter. ...
  6. Too little or too much Moisture.
Sep 21, 2023

What makes a cake dense and heavy? ›

There's a big chance your butter and sugar will over-cream, meaning the butter will trap more air than it should. As the batter bakes, that extra air will deflate and leave you with an overly dense cake. It's all science! For best results, cream butter and sugar together for about 1-2 minutes.

How do you keep fruitcake moist? ›

We recommend wrapping your fruitcake in plastic wrap before placing it in an airtight container. Then, place that container in the fridge. Doing this can ensure your fruitcake stays fresh for up to two months.

How do I make my cake more moist? ›

Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise. Adding a dollop of mayonnaise to your batter can help make your freshly baked cake softer with an added boost of moisture.

How to know when apple cake is done? ›

A fully baked apple cake should be golden brown and may start to pull away from the sides of the pan slightly. Knife Test: Similar to the toothpick test, you can insert a thin knife into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

What is depression cake made of? ›

Depression cake
A modern chocolate depression-style cake.
Alternative namesMilkless Eggless Butterless Cake, Boiled Raisin Cake, War Cake
TypeCake
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredientsFlour, apples or pears, raisins or prunes, spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg), nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)

What is firefly cake? ›

This has a layer of our Chocolate truffle cake and a layer of our sour cream pound cake covered and filled with our signature caramel icing.

What is Swedish Princess cake made of? ›

The Princess cake has been one of the most popular cakes in Sweden since the 1920s. It's made of cake layers, whipped cream, vanilla cream and green marzipan with icing sugar on top.

What type of apple is most popular for baking pies? ›

Granny Smith.

Firm and very tart, this variety is the go-to for many when it comes to pie because it keeps its shape extremely well. But it isn't exactly known for its flavor, so Granny Smiths are best used in conjunction with sweeter and/or more flavorful apples.

Will an apple keep a cake moist? ›

The idea behind this technique is the apple will release its moisture and your brownies, cakes, and other baked goods will absorb it, keeping them moist much longer than they would be without it. However, do make sure you inspect the apple daily to ensure it isn't getting mushy.

Can you use eating apples instead of cooking apples in a cake? ›

You can use any eating apples that are in season, or any that you have to hand, but my favourites are Cox's Orange Pippins and Braeburn apples for flavour.

How do you keep apples from sinking in a cake? ›

The best way to avoid sinking fruit is to toss the fruit in a couple of tablespoons of the flour (just use some from the measured amount for the recipe) to coat it lightly. Once added to the cake mixture the flour coating will thicken the batter immediately surrounding the fruit and help suspend the fruit.

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