Apple Mortgage Cake

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.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 45

Cooling Time 10

Total Time 1 25

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

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.

Notes

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.

Keyword apple cake