Typed recipe card for Apple Cake
by: salvagedrecipes

Apple Cake with Butterscotch Topping

Apple Cake
This vintage-style apple cake is a moist, spice-kissed dessert loaded with diced apples, crunchy nuts, and crowned with melted butterscotch morsels that act as a built-in frosting. With a texture somewhere between a dense spice cake and a chunky cobbler, this old-school treat celebrates autumn flavors and pantry staples. Its charm lies in the simplicity of hand-mixing and the irresistible scent of cinnamon and vanilla wafting from the oven. Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or afternoon coffee breaks.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 408 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup nuts (chopped, e.g., walnuts or pecans)
  • 4 cups apples (diced, peeled and cored)
  • 11 oz butterscotch morsels

Instructions
 

Step 1: Combine Base Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, stir together sugar, eggs, oil, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and chopped nuts.
  • Mix thoroughly by hand, do not use a mixer.

Step 2: Add Apples

  • Fold in diced apples until evenly distributed.

Step 3: Assemble

  • Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
  • Sprinkle butterscotch morsels evenly over the top.

Step 4: Bake

  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Tips

  • Substitute brown sugar for half the white sugar for deeper caramel notes.
  • Add ¼ tsp nutmeg or allspice for extra warm spice.
  • Use peeled or unpeeled apples, either works.
  • Replace butterscotch morsels with caramel bits for a gooier topping.
  • Mix in ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries for added texture.
  • Swap nuts for pecans or walnuts, depending on preference.
  • Use applesauce for part of the oil to lighten the cake.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
  • Bake in a Bundt pan (increase bake time by ~10 minutes).
  • For a crunchier top, add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 4gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 285mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 2gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 1.5mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1.4mg
Keyword American dessert, apple cake, butterscotch, comfort food, easy baking, fall baking, heirloom cake, vintage recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!