Apple cake recipes with FRESH apples make the BEST apple cakes! It's true! I wouldn't make that up! That's why I've reached out to all my friends to get their favorite apple cake recipes with FRESH apples to share with you.

Apple Cake Recipes with Fresh Apples

I've collected all of these delicious fresh apple cake recipes in one place for you, because I'm amazing like that. Which fresh apple cake will you make first?! Decisions, decisions....

Photo Credit: Apple Pecan Cream Cheese Cake by Flavor Mosaic

What are the best apples for apple cake?

Before we get to the actual apple cake recipes, it's important to know a few apple varieties that are better suited for baking.

Not all apples are ideal for cooking, and with so many varieties of apples to choose from it can be a challenge to know which apple will be best when baking an apple cake with fresh apples.

The best baking apples offer a balance of sweet and tart flavors and hold up to the baking process. We're making apple cake recipes not applesauce, after all! It's important to choose a firmer apple that will hold its shape and not get mushy. Nobody wants a mushy cake!

Don't be afraid to use a variety of apples when baking. Mixing things up a bit by using several different apple varieties can give your apple cake a deeper, richer flavor.

With over 2500 apple varieties, there are a lot of choices. I tried to list a few I feel are more readily available. There are other apple varieties for baking I left off my list but in a pinch, this is a good go-to list:

• Envy - a cross between Royal Gala and Braeburn, the Envy has an exceptionally sweet flavor. It can be hard to find, but Envy apples are make a wonderful choice for just about any application and they don't brown easily, so that's a big plus!
• SweeTango - One of my favorites! This apple is the perfect combination of sweet and tart. It is firm and juicy and another good choice for any application. The SweeTango is only available for a short window in the Fall, so whenever I see them, I always stock up. 
• Fuji - The firmness of the Fuji can't be beat. It holds up really well to baking and is readily available. Fuji might be too firm for some applications. For instance, I wouldn't use it in a pie, but I do like it in a cake.
• Braeburn - A firm apple that keeps its shape during cooking.
• Rome Beauty - Holds up well to baking. Flavor is a bit flat compared to other apples, so it's a good idea to pair with another, more flavorful variety.
• Granny Smith - A tart and tangy apple with a firm flesh. Pair this with a sweet apple like the Envy or the Gala for best results.
• Gala - Sweet and crisp, this is an all around great apple for baking that is readily available.

Photo credit: Apple Cake Recipe with Cake Mix by CakeWhiz

Easy Apple Cake Recipes with Cake Mix

The easiest cakes are the ones made with a boxed cake mix. Before you turn your nose up to boxed cake mixes, keep in mind, these easy apple cake recipes with cake mix have FRESH apples in them!

It's actually pretty easy to disguise a boxed cake mix by using quality, fresh ingredients. As a matter of fact, one of the most popular dessert recipes on Life Tastes Good, my Easy Caramel Pecan Cake, is made from a box cake mix. This is always a hit on Thanksgiving!

So the next time you need a fool proof cake that doesn't require pro baking skills, give one of these cake mix apple cake recipes with fresh apples a try. You might surprise yourself.

• Apple Cake Recipe with Cake Mix by CakeWhiz
• Apple Dump Cake with Fresh Apples by Finding Zest
• Apple Piecaken - Apple Pie Baked in a Cake! by Melanie Makes

Photo credit: Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake by  Melanie Makes

Apple Bundt Cake Recipes with Fresh Apples

Another EASY cake to make is the bundt cake. Really, y'all, a bundt is hard to screw up. Bundt cakes always turn out looking beautiful with very little effort. You don't have to have major cake decorating skills to have a beautiful bundt. You need proof? Check out my Cranberry Bundt Cake. I think it's the prettiest cake I've ever made! And that is saying something, because I am definitely not a cake decorator. 

The hardest part about making a bundt cake is getting the dang thing out of the pan, but if you spray it liberally, making sure to get into any and all of those fancy crevices, then you shouldn't have a problem. I use Baker's Joy with the flour. It works great!! Now, if you still lose some cake on the way out of the pan, no worries. Just patch up the messy parts and pour on a fun frosting or glaze. No one will be the wiser!

Give one of these Apple Bundt Cake Recipes with Fresh Apples a try, being sure to grease up that bundt pan well, and let me know how it turns out for you.

• Double Apple Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Celebrating Sweets
• Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake by Persnickety Plates
• Cream Cheese Filled Apple Bundt Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake by Melanie Makes
• Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake by Melanie Makes
• Chai Spiced Apple Bundt Cake by Inside BruCrew Life

Photo Credit: Skillet Apple Cake by Life Tastes Good

From Scratch Apple Cake Recipes with Fresh Apples

When it comes to apple cake recipes with fresh apples, my absolute favorite cake recipes are homemade from scratch using the best ingredients.

Of course, homemade from scratch recipes take a little more time, but really not all that much, and they are usually worth the few extra minutes it takes to toss the ingredients together. The pay off is maximum flavor!

The apple cake recipes with fresh apples in this collection are all fairly simple to make and each one gives great directions for successful baking. I think the hardest part about making these homemade apple cake recipes is choosing which one to make first!

• Skillet Apple Cake by Life Tastes Good
• Apple Pie Bread Pudding by Life Tastes Good
• Apple Pecan Cream Cheese Cake by Flavor Mosaic
• Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake by Renee's Kitchen Adventures
• Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake by Renee's Kitchen Adventures
• Almond Cardamon Apple Cake by Recipes from a Pantry
• Easy German Apple Cake Recipe by Masala Herb
• French Apple Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Fresh Picked Apple Crunch Cake by Growing Up Gabel
• Quick Apple Cake Recipe for Unexpected Company by Confessions of an Overworked Mom
• Irish Apple Crumb Cake with Apple Brandy Sauce by Saving Room for Dessert
• Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake by Foolproof Living 
• Apple Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting by Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
• Easy Apple Cake Recipe by Baked by an Introvert

Photo Credit: Paleo Apple Gluten Free Coffee Cake by Food Faith Fitness

Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipes with Fresh Apples

Having gluten free dessert baked goods at holiday gatherings can be tricky, but it is also super considerate when you know you will be feeding someone with gluten sensitivities.

Most everyone knows someone who is sensitive to gluten, so it's always a good idea to have some trusted gluten free recipes handy to show your friends and family how much you care when you are hosting them. 

These gluten free apple cake recipes with fresh apples are sure to be a hit even with your non-gluten free guests. Give them a try to ensure everyone can enjoy your homemade creations.

• Totally Fool Proof Gluten Free Apple Cake Recipe by Fearless Dining
• Irresistible Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cake by Fearless Dining
• Gluten Free Sparkling Apple Cranberry Bundt Cake by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
• Paleo Apple Gluten Free Coffee Cake by Food Faith Fitness

I hope you found the apple cake you were searching for in this comprehensive list of apple cake recipes with fresh apples. If not, please let me know. You can leave a comment below and I will reach out to my extensive network to find just the right apple cake for you!

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