The aptly named Apple Mortgage Cake has an inspiring backstory. During economic hardship, entrepreneur Angela Logan’s delightful family recipe rescued her home. Boasting moist layers studded with juicy apples and infused by cinnamon’s warmth, it seamlessly soothes with filling sweetness.

A melt-in-your-mouth tenderness results from a balanced blend throughout this cake. Not overwhelmingly dense like some other desserts, it complements heartier meals without taxing the palate. A fluffy cream cheese frosting brings luxuriant finishing touches.
Apple Mortgage Cake Ingredients
- Butter (softened): Typically around 4 tablespoons
- Granulated sugar: Usually about 1½–2 cups depending on preference
- Brown sugar: Sometimes used instead of some portion of white sugar
- Vegetable oil: Often approximately 1 cup
- Vanilla extract: Around half a teaspoon
- Lemon juice or zest: About half a teaspoon
- Large eggs: Generally 2 whole eggs
- Baking soda: Approximately 1 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: Between 1–1½ teaspoons
- Other optional spices: Such as nutmeg, ginger, cloves, etc., usually less than one full teaspoon total
- Fine sea salt or table salt: Roughly half a teaspoon
- All-purpose flour: Normally between 2–3 cups
- Chopped walnuts or another preferred nut variety: Up to 1 cup, sometimes omitted entirely
- Peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples: At least 3 cups, commonly Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
How I Made Apple Mortgage Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and any optional spices you choose (nutmeg, ginger, or cloves). This will ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients throughout the batter.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and lemon juice/zest until well combined. The oil and eggs will help the cake stay moist and tender.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, folding gently until no lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix; you want the batter to stay light.
Step 5: Add the Apples and Nuts
Gently fold in the chopped apples and walnuts (if using). The apples should be evenly distributed throughout the batter. The natural moisture from the apples will keep the cake moist.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly across the surface.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown on top.
Step 7: Cool and Prepare the Glaze
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add powdered sugar, a small amount of milk, and vanilla extract, stirring constantly until smooth. Adjust the milk as needed to get the right consistency for drizzling.
Step 8: Drizzle the Glaze
Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top in ribbons. Let it set for a few minutes before slicing.
Pro Tips and Variations
Use a variety of apples: You can mix apples for a more complex flavor. Try Granny Smith apples for tartness and Honeycrisp apples for sweetness and crunch.
Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra texture and flavor. You can omit the nuts entirely if you prefer a smoother cake.
Add more spices: If you love spices, you can add ground ginger, allspice, or cloves to the batter. Just be cautious not to overpower the apple flavor.
Make it dairy-free: To make this cake dairy-free, swap the butter for vegan butter and the milk for a plant-based milk like almond milk or oat milk.
Ingredient Notes
Vegetable Oil: The oil makes the cake incredibly moist. While you can substitute it with melted butter, the oil is preferable for the texture of this cake.
Apples: Granny Smith apples are highly recommended for this recipe because they are firm, tart, and will hold up well during baking. You can also use Honeycrisp for a sweet, crunchy bite.
Flour: If you’re looking to make this cake gluten-free, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Storage Instructions
Room temperature: Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake is best enjoyed fresh but will remain moist for a few days.
Refrigeration: If you want to store the cake for a longer period, refrigerate it for up to 1 week. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing: You can freeze the unglazed Apple Mortgage Cake for up to 3 months. Once thawed, drizzle with glaze before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I make Apple Mortgage Cake ahead of time? Yes, you can make the cake a day in advance. Let it cool completely, then cover it with plastic wrap and store it at room temperature. Add the glaze just before serving.
2. Can I substitute the oil in this recipe? Yes, you can substitute the vegetable oil with melted butter or applesauce for a slightly different flavor and texture.
3. Is it possible to make this cake without eggs? Yes, you can use an egg replacer or substitute with flaxseed meal (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water) for each egg. This will make the cake vegan and egg-free.
4. Can I make this cake without the glaze? Yes, the cake is delicious on its own without the glaze, though the glaze adds a rich, buttery sweetness. You can also top it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
More Recipes
- Old Fashioned Apple Squares
- Swedish Apple Cake
- Apple Crisp Without Oatmeal
- Spiced Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Apple Mortgage Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 1½ –2 cups granulated sugar
- Brown sugar optional, can replace some or all of the granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice or zest
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 –1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
Optional spices: nutmeg, ginger, cloves (less than 1 teaspoon each)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 –3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped walnuts optional
- 3 cups peeled cored, and thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- For the Glaze:
- Butter amount depends on desired richness
- Powdered sugar adjust to taste
- Milk adjust for desired consistency
- Vanilla extract a few drops or up to ½ teaspoon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and any optional spices you choose (nutmeg, ginger, or cloves). This will ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients throughout the batter.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and lemon juice/zest until well combined. The oil and eggs will help the cake stay moist and tender.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, folding gently until no lumps remain. Be careful not to overmix; you want the batter to stay light.
Step 5: Add the Apples and Nuts
- Gently fold in the chopped apples and walnuts (if using). The apples should be evenly distributed throughout the batter. The natural moisture from the apples will keep the cake moist.
Step 6: Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly across the surface.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown on top.
Step 7: Cool and Prepare the Glaze
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add powdered sugar, a small amount of milk, and vanilla extract, stirring constantly until smooth. Adjust the milk as needed to get the right consistency for drizzling.
Step 8: Drizzle the Glaze
- Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top in ribbons. Let it set for a few minutes before slicing.