Apple Cakes are a cherished slice of Americana, soft, spiced treats featuring chopped apples that are perfect for fall or cozy evenings. Passed down through generations, these cakes reflect a time when recipes were handwritten, ingredients were simple, and flavors came from the heart. The addition of cinnamon and a sweet brown sugar topping creates a warm, nostalgic dessert that reminds many of their grandmother’s kitchen. These small cakes are ideal for tea time, holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave something comforting and homemade.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup shortening
- 1 egg (beaten )
- ½ cup sugar
- 1½ cups flour (sifted )
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup peeled (chopped tart apples)
Optional Topping:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Step 1: Cream the Base
- Cream together shortening and sugar.
- Add the beaten egg and mix until smooth.
Step 2: Sift Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
Step 3: Mix the Batter
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, alternating with milk.
Step 4: Add Apples
- Fold in the chopped apples.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
- Spoon the batter into greased muffin tins or a baking pan.
Step 6: Add Optional Topping
- In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, chopped nuts, and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over the batter.
Step 7: Bake
- Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Tips
- Add chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) for texture.
- Replace half the shortening with butter for richer flavor.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for deeper fall spice.
- Use a muffin tin for easy portioning.
- Add raisins or dried cranberries for extra sweetness.
- Swap brown sugar for half the white sugar for a deeper caramel note.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Fold in ½ tsp vanilla extract for aroma.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Apple Cakes Aunt
Verda
¼ C. Shortening 1 beaten egg.
½ cup sugar
Sift together 1½ cups sifted flour, ½ tsp.
salt, 3 Tsp B.P., ½ tsp. Cinnamon. stir
into creamed mixture alternating
with ½ C. milk. Fold in 1 cup peeled,
chopped, tart apples. Bake in well
greased pan or muffin tins.
½ cup brown Sugar } Mix and Sprinkle over
½ C. nuts top before baking.
½ tsp. cinnamon Bake 20-25 min. - 375°From Transcription to Instructions
We love how the original directions are short and tidy, but they leave the creaming and ingredient order a little implied, so the instructions spell out creaming the shortening with the sugar, adding the beaten egg, then gradually stirring the sifted dry mix in while alternating with the milk so you won’t overwork the batter. The instructions also walk you through mixing and sprinkling the brown‑sugar and nut topping before baking, and they add a simple toothpick check alongside the original 20–25 minutes at 375°F so you’ll know they’re done.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 2.5gFat: 9.5gSaturated Fat: 2.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 165mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 1.2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 110IUVitamin C: 1.5mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 1mg
