This apple Skillet Cake brings together tender spiced apples and a buttery, golden batter, all baked to perfection in one pan. If you're craving a simple dessert with big flavor, this skillet cake is a warm and satisfying choice.
This skillet apple cake is a delicious mix of crisp Granny Smith apples, warm apple pie spice, and a soft, vanilla cake made with simple pantry staples. I love how the apples melt into the batter as it bakes, creating a sweet, slightly caramelized top with every slice. It’s a great dessert to serve warm after dinner or as a weekend treat with coffee.
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love these other cast-iron apple recipes packed with flavor and comfort like skillet apple pie and apple crisp in a skillet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: The batter comes together quickly and bakes right in a cast iron skillet.
- Comforting Flavor: Warm apples, vanilla, and a hint of spice create that classic, homemade dessert feel.
- Family Friendly: It’s a hit with both kids and adults, especially when served warm with ice cream.
- Versatile: Serve it for dessert, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
- Granny Smith Apples: These tart, firm apples hold their shape well during baking and balance the sweetness of the cake. Look for apples that are bright green, heavy for their size, and free of soft spots.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a mild molasses flavor that complements the apples and helps create a caramelized topping. Make sure it’s packed firmly into the measuring cup for accurate measurement.
- Cane Syrup: Cane syrup deepens the apple flavor with rich, molasses notes, perfect for an apple cake in a cast iron skillet. Pancake syrup will also work.
- Apple Pie Spice: This warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice brings a cozy, fall-inspired flavor.
- Milk: Warming the milk slightly helps it blend smoothly with the melted butter and prevents it from solidifying. Whole milk adds richness, but 2% can be used in a pinch.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend instead of all-purpose flour to make this apple skillet cake safe for gluten-sensitive diets without sacrificing texture.
- Add Nuts: Stir in ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter before baking for a delicious crunch and extra depth of flavor.
- Mixed Fruit: Swap half the apples for pears or add a handful of dried cranberries to the topping for a fresh twist on this classic apple cake in a cast iron skillet.
How to Make Skillet Cake
Making this cast iron skillet cake is simple and rewarding; you’ll have a warm, delicious dessert ready with just one pan and a few easy steps. Start by preheating the oven to 350°F.
Step 1: Prepare the Apples. Peel and slice the Granny Smith apples, then toss them with brown sugar, cane syrup, and apple pie spice. This mixture will add rich flavor and a lovely caramelized topping to your one-pan apple cake.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This creates the foundation for the cake’s texture.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients. Combine the melted butter, warm milk, egg, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Warming the milk helps everything come together smoothly for the batter.
Step 4: Make the Batter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix just until combined.
Step 5: Transfer to Pan. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet.
Step 6: Add Apples and Bake. Spread the apple mixture on top. Bake at 350°F for about 35 minutes, until the cake is golden, and a toothpick comes out clean.
Enjoy after a light dinner like ground beef stew or Dutch Oven lasagna for a well-rounded meal.
Expert Tips
- Use a Well-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet: A properly seasoned skillet helps prevent sticking and promotes even baking, making it easier to serve your cake in a skillet straight from the pan.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir the wet and dry ingredients just until combined to keep the cake light and tender instead of dense or tough.
- Warm the Milk Before Mixing: This helps the melted butter stay smooth when combined and creates a more cohesive batter.
- Layer Apples on Top: Placing the apple mixture over the batter instead of mixing it in prevents the cake from becoming soggy and creates a beautiful caramelized topping.
- Check for Doneness With a Toothpick: Insert a toothpick into the center after 30 minutes; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready to remove from the oven.
Serving Suggestions
This cast iron cake recipe is versatile enough for a weekend treat and special occasions, yet easy enough to make during busy weeknights.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Enjoy it for a cozy weekend brunch paired with skillet spinach frittata and sweet potato hash.
Skillet Cake Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the batter and apple topping separately and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, assemble in the skillet and pop it in the oven so it’s freshly baked with minimal effort.
You can bake this in a 9-inch round cake pan or a deep pie dish instead. Just note that the edges may not crisp up the same way as they would in cast iron.
Yes! While Granny Smith apples hold up well and offer tartness, you can use Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter result. Just avoid softer varieties like Red Delicious, which may become mushy.
More Delicious Skillet Cake Recipes
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Get the Recipe
Easy Apple Skillet Cake
Equipment
- 10" cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 3 apples peeled and sliced, Granny Smith
- ¼ cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 tablespoons cane syrup sub for pancake syrup if needed
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 ⅓ cups flour all-purpose
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup whole milk warmed
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 egg large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray 10″ cast iron skillet with butter spray.
- In 1 medium bowl mix, apples, brown sugar, cane syrup, apple pie spice and mix together.
- In another medium bowl whisk together, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt.
- In a small bowl, mix butter, egg, milk and vanilla extract together.
- Mix the small milk mixture and the flour mixture until fully mixed together.
- Add batter to 10″ skillet and then top with apples.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until done.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter; stir just until the wet and dry ingredients come together to keep the cake soft and tender.
- Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes in the skillet so it sets properly and slices cleanly.
- Store any remaining cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain its flavor and texture.
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Edward says
Perfect fall recipe!! Thank you for another winner!
Ned Adams says
You’re welcome!! Glad you enjoyed!