Name: Moist Apple Snack Cake {with Apple Cider}
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 175 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour ((250g)); 2 teaspoons apple pie spice*; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup granulated sugar ((200g)); ¼ cup packed brown sugar ((50g)); ⅔ cup vegetable oil ((158mL)); 2 large eggs (room temperature); ⅔ cup unsweetened applesauce ((167g)); ⅔ cup apple cider ((158mL)); 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 6 tablespoons packed brown sugar ((65g)); 3 tablespoons heavy cream ((45mL)); 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon of apple cider mix** (if desired); ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature (170g)); ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 2 cups confectioners’ sugar ((240g))

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This old fashioned apple snack cake is super moist and tender! It is made from scratch using apple cider and applesauce and is perfectly spiced. A simple brown sugar frosting with a touch more apple cider turns this into the best fall dessert!

slice of apple snack cake with brown sugar frosting on a plate

Disclosure | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

As with all my recipes, I tested this cake a few times to get the perfect texture and flavor, just like my apple cider sugar cookies and apple cider cinnamon rolls. The cake is not too sweet and it is soooooo soft! The brown sugar buttercream is also quick and easy to make and brings another layer of flavor to this snack cake.

With decades of cake baking in my history, I love a simple one layer sheet cake. The cake batter comes together with a whisk and does not require any apple cider reduction to get all the apple flavor you crave. Whether you make it for Christmas, Thanksgiving or just because you are craving a spiced apple cake in July, I know you are going to love it!

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🍎 apple cake key ingredients
🥣 how to make this easy snack cake
💬 frequently asked questions
👩🏻‍🍳 tips for the best old fashioned cake
📖 recipe
Moist Apple Snack Cake {with Apple Cider}

slice of cake with frosting on a parchment lined cutting board with red and green apples in the background

🍎 apple cake key ingredients

This old fashioned cake is ridiculously quick and easy to make! A range of ingredients were tested to create the best version of this apple cider cake. Here are a few that make this cake extra special.

Please scroll to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the full list of ingredients and baking directions.

Apple cider ~ apple cider is easiest to find in the fall; typically September through November. If you want to make your own apple cider you can do that. I often cheat and make cider using Alpine Spiced Cider packets, which makes it so quick and easy! {I use these packets for my apple cider muffins streusel too}

Applesauce ~ unsweetened applesauce brings a ton of moisture and flavor to this snack cake! I did not test homemade applesauce, but suspect it should work fine.

Apple pie spice ~ this spice combination is very common to find in the US. If you don’t have it or can’t find it, I provide a homemade version in the recipe card notes below using cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.

Oil ~ the oil brings a ton of moisture to the cake, creating a super soft, moist and tender crumb. Vegetable oil or canola oil can be used.

🥣 how to make this easy snack cake

Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper.

wet ingredients whisked together in a mixing bowl

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, granulated sugar and brown sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, unsweetened applesauce, apple cider and vanilla.

apple snack cake batter in a mixing bowl with a spatula

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently mix together with a spatula.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.

While the cake cools, warm the brown sugar and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Then remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and apple cider drink mix, if using. Allow this mixture to cool before making the buttercream.

Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment {or with a hand held mixer}, whisk the butter and kosher salt. Scrape up and down the bowl and add half the confectioners' sugar; beat until combined. Add the cooled heavy cream and brown sugar mixture with the 2nd cup of confectioners' sugar and beat on medium-high until fluffy.

brown sugar frosting on cake in a baking tin

Spoon or pipe the buttercream onto the cake.

I dusted the top with a little ground cinnamon before serving.

Then slice, serve and enjoy!

💬 frequently asked questions

Can I make apple cider cake in an 8x8 pan?

I recommend a 9x9 baking pan as there is too much batter for a smaller square pan. If you prefer a layer cake pan, two 8-inch pans can be used, splitting the batter equally between the two pans. The round cake layers will be a little shorter and will take a little less time to bake.

may I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

In theory, yes, you can. You will lose some of the flavor that comes from the spices in the apple cider though.

👩🏻‍🍳 tips for the best old fashioned cake

Don't over mix the cake batter. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix gently until completely combined.

Don't over bake the cake. Remember your oven is different from mine and baking times may vary a little. The homemade apple cider cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

slice of cake on a plate with a bite on a fork

Remember to snap a picture and tag me @twosugarbugs on Instagram if you make this Moist Apple Snack Cake. It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!

If you make this recipe {or any recipe!} from two sugar bugs please come back and leave a review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating. I read every comment, and I LOVE hearing from you!