Baking a delightful apple pound cake with moist, tender crumbs can turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet celebration.
This classic apple pound cake recipe promises a delectable dessert that blends wholesome fruit with rich, buttery goodness.
Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg weave through each slice, creating an irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen.
Ripe, juicy apples provide natural sweetness and a subtle tartness that complements the dense cake perfectly.
Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of soft texture and robust flavor that feels like a warm hug.
Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this recipe approachable for bakers of all skill levels.
You’ll love how quickly this crowd-pleasing dessert comes together, turning simple ingredients into a memorable treat that vanishes from the plate in moments.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 65 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Calories: 495 kcal
Servings: 9
Apple Pound Cake Ingredient Breakdown
For Cake Base:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and soft texture for the pound cake's classic crumb.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, golden-brown exterior.
Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and contributes to the cake's luxurious mouthfeel.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create a smooth, silky batter.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender, soft cake texture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
For Fruit and Spice:
Apples: Bring fresh, sweet-tart burst of flavor and delightful moisture to the cake.
Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that complements the apple's natural sweetness.
For Glaze (Optional):
Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy finish with delicate sweetness.
Heavy Cream, Butter: Provide rich, creamy base for a luxurious drizzle.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the glaze with subtle, elegant flavor.
Tools to Help with Apple Pound Cake
Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for beating butter, creaming sugar, and mixing batter smoothly.
Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and creating the cake batter.
1-Pound Loaf Pan: Crucial for shaping and baking the apple pound cake.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring ingredients.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for folding in chopped apples and scraping batter.
Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing the center.
Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly after baking.
Small Mixing Bowl: Used for preparing the optional glaze.
Whisk: Helps blend glaze ingredients smoothly.
Sharp Knife: Useful for chopping apples and slicing the finished cake.
How to Bake a Tasty Apple Pound Cake
Cozy Apple Comfort
Kitchen Preparation Warm up your cooking space and gather all your baking essentials. Select a nice loaf pan that will cradle your delicious cake creation.
Butter Bliss Grab softened butter and whip it into a dreamy, cloud-like texture. Beat it until it looks light and feels super smooth.
Sweet Symphony Blend sugar and a touch of cinnamon into the butter. Create a magical mixture that looks fluffy and smells incredible.
Egg Dance Gently introduce eggs one at a time, letting each one blend smoothly into the batter. Your mixture should look silky and inviting.
Flour Magic Carefully fold in flour and milk, alternating between the two. Stir in vanilla for that classic homemade flavor that makes everyone smile.
Apple Adventure Chop fresh apples and fold them gently into the batter. Each slice should be evenly distributed for perfect bites.
Baking Moment Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Slide it into a preheated oven and let the magic happen for about an hour.
Cooling Ritual Allow the cake to rest and cool completely. This helps develop those deep, rich flavors that make homemade desserts so special.
Optional Drizzle If desired, create a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a splash of cream and vanilla. Drizzle over the cooled cake for extra sweetness.
Serving Joy Cut generous slices and share with loved ones. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate comfort experience.
Apple Pound Cake Tips to Elevate Texture
Mastering Apple Pound Cake Secrets
Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for maximum flavor and texture contrast in your cake.
Toss chopped apples in a tablespoon of flour before folding into batter to ensure even distribution and prevent them from dropping to the bottom.
Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg or cardamom to enhance the apple's natural sweetness and create a more complex flavor profile.
Grate some apple instead of chopping for extra moisture and a more integrated fruit experience throughout the pound cake.
Swap the glaze for a crumble topping with chopped nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon for a crunchy, rustic finish that adds delightful texture.
Serve Apple Pound Cake Like a Pro
Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair this delightful apple pound cake with a warm cup of coffee or freshly brewed tea for a perfect morning treat that wakes up your taste buds.
Elegant Dessert Presentation: Serve thin slices on a beautiful ceramic plate with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a sophisticated touch.
Seasonal Brunch Centerpiece: Create a stunning brunch spread by arranging cake slices on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh seasonal fruits like raspberries or sliced pears for a colorful and inviting display.
Family Gathering Delight: Cut the cake into bite-sized cubes and arrange on a platter with toothpicks for easy sharing during family gatherings, making it a convenient and crowd-pleasing dessert option.
Keep Apple Pound Cake Fresh Longer
Cake Freshness Guardian: Keep your apple pound cake at its delightful best by storing in a sealed container at room temperature, protecting it from air exposure that might dry out the tender crumb.
Refrigeration Strategy: When storing longer than 3 days, transfer the cake to the refrigerator, which extends its delectable life up to 5 days while maintaining moisture and flavor integrity.
Freezing Magic: Slice the cake before freezing, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag for convenient future enjoyment – perfect for up to 2 months without quality loss.
Serving Temperature Tip: For the most luxurious taste experience, remove refrigerated cake 30 minutes before serving, allowing it to gently warm to room temperature and restore its original soft, rich texture.
Luscious apple pound cake brings classic comfort to dessert tables across America. Rich with cinnamon and tender fruit, this nostalgic recipe offers warm sweetness you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 apples, peeled and chopped
¾ cup milk, room temperature
2 tsps vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
6 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tsps vanilla extract
3 tbsps heavy cream (or substitute milk)
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and thoroughly grease a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
Butter Transformation: Cream butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake batter.
Sugar Integration: Blend granulated sugar and cinnamon into the butter, whipping until the mixture becomes pale and aerated.
Egg Incorporation: Add eggs one at a time, gently mixing after each addition to maintain a consistent, velvety texture.
Batter Development: Alternate adding flour and milk into the mixture, stirring carefully to create a silky, well-combined batter while avoiding overmixing.
Flavor Enhancement: Stir in vanilla extract, distributing the aromatic essence evenly throughout the batter.
Apple Distribution: Gently fold chopped apples into the batter, ensuring even suspension of fruit pieces.
Baking Process: Pour batter into the prepared pan, filling approximately three-quarters full, and bake for 65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Finishing: Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Meanwhile, prepare the optional glaze by whisking melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until smooth and slightly thickened.
Serving and Storage: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, slice, and serve. Optional accompaniment of whipped cream can enhance the dessert. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness up to 5 days.
Notes
Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and smoother cake texture, ensuring it’s soft but not melted.
Apple Selection Tip: Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best baking performance and balanced flavor.
Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients to prevent tough cake texture, stopping mixer once ingredients are just combined to maintain delicate crumb.
Cooling Crucial: Allow cake to cool completely before glazing to prevent runny, absorbed glaze and maintain the desired drizzle effect.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.