Baked Apple Cake Dutch Style

Featured in: Baking & Pastries

This Dutch-inspired baked apple cake brings warmth and comfort to your breakfast table. Thinly sliced apples are tossed with lemon juice and folded into a tender, spiced batter made with cinnamon and nutmeg. The result is a soft, golden cake with caramelized apple pieces throughout, topped with a sweet cinnamon sugar crust.

Ready in about an hour, this cake requires minimal effort compared to traditional pancakes. The apples become tender and meld beautifully with the vanilla-infused batter, creating pockets of natural sweetness. Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar, crème fraîche, or whipped cream for an extra indulgent start to the day.

Updated on Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:22:19 GMT
Freshly baked Baked Apple Cake with golden crust, warm cinnamon aroma, and tender apple slices from a 9x13 dish. Save
Freshly baked Baked Apple Cake with golden crust, warm cinnamon aroma, and tender apple slices from a 9x13 dish. | brilliantcrust.com

Experience the cozy charm of a Dutch kitchen with this Baked Apple Cake. This casserole-style breakfast treats you to the warm, comforting flavors of tender apples and aromatic spices without the fuss of flipping individual pancakes. It is a soft, golden delight that fills your home with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg, making every morning feel like a special occasion.

Freshly baked Baked Apple Cake with golden crust, warm cinnamon aroma, and tender apple slices from a 9x13 dish. Save
Freshly baked Baked Apple Cake with golden crust, warm cinnamon aroma, and tender apple slices from a 9x13 dish. | brilliantcrust.com

Whether you are hosting a weekend brunch or simply want a wholesome start to your day, this recipe delivers. The thin slices of Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples soften beautifully during the forty-minute bake, while the cinnamon-sugar topping forms a delicate, sweet crust that contrasts perfectly with the fluffy interior.

Ingredients

  • Apples: 3 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Wet Ingredients: 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1/3 cup (75 g) light brown sugar (packed), 2 large eggs, 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter (melted and cooled), 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Topping: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Instructions

Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Prepare Apples
In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. Set aside.
Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.
Step 5: Mix Batter
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Incorporate Apples
Fold in the prepared apples. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and spread evenly.
Step 7: Add Topping
In a small bowl, mix the topping sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm, optionally with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of crème fraîche.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For the best results, use firm baking apples like Granny Smith for a tart contrast or Honeycrisp for sweetness. Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients; a few small lumps are fine and ensure the cake remains light and fluffy rather than dense.

Varianten und Anpassungen

You can easily customize this cake by adding a handful of raisins or chopped walnuts to the batter for extra texture. To make this recipe dairy-free, simply substitute the whole milk with your favorite plant-based milk and use melted vegan butter.

Serviervorschläge

While delicious on its own, this Baked Apple Cake reaches new heights when served with a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla yogurt, or traditional crème fraîche. A light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds a beautiful, bakery-style finish.

Serving of Dutch-inspired Baked Apple Cake, dusted with sugar, paired with crème fraîche on a rustic wooden breakfast table. Save
Serving of Dutch-inspired Baked Apple Cake, dusted with sugar, paired with crème fraîche on a rustic wooden breakfast table. | brilliantcrust.com

Bring a piece of European comfort to your table with this simple yet elegant Baked Apple Cake. It is a versatile dish that transitions perfectly from a cozy family breakfast to a sophisticated brunch dessert, ensuring everyone leaves the table satisfied.

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Recipe Q&A

Can I use different types of apples?

Yes, you can use various apple varieties. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work well for their balance of tartness and sweetness. You can also use Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn depending on your preference. Mixing multiple varieties adds depth of flavor.

How should I store leftovers?

Store any leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop further overnight. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or warm in the oven before serving for the best texture.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely. Substitute whole milk with your preferred plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or soy milk. Replace the melted butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. The texture and flavor remain excellent with these substitutions.

What toppings work well with this cake?

Powdered sugar adds a lovely touch when dusted over the warm cake. Crème fraîche, whipped cream, or vanilla yogurt complement the spiced flavors beautifully. You could also drizzle with maple syrup or serve alongside vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Can I add other ingredients like nuts or raisins?

Yes, the batter accommodates add-ins wonderfully. Fold in a handful of raisins, chopped walnuts, pecans, or even dried cranberries before baking. These additions provide extra texture and complement the apple and cinnamon flavors.

Is this cake suitable for meal prep?

Perfect for meal prep. Bake on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week. Individual portions reheat easily for quick breakfasts. The cake stays moist when stored properly and the cinnamon-spiced aroma when reheating makes weekday mornings special.

Baked Apple Cake Dutch Style

Warm Dutch-style apple cake with tender slices baked in a soft, cinnamon-spiced batter. Golden crust, comforting flavors, perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Time to prep
20 min
Time to cook
40 min
Overall time
60 min
Created by Isabella Davis


Skill level Easy

Culinary roots Dutch European

Makes 6 Number of servings

Diet considerations Vegetarian

What you'll need

Apples

01 3 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
02 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

01 3/4 cup granulated sugar
02 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 2 large eggs
04 1 cup whole milk
05 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
06 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping

01 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
02 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How To Make It

Step 01

Prepare baking dish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 02

Prepare apples: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning and set aside.

Step 03

Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly distributed.

Step 04

Blend wet ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, whisking until fully incorporated.

Step 05

Create batter: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just combined without overmixing.

Step 06

Fold in apples: Gently fold the prepared apples into the batter. Pour mixture into the greased baking dish and spread evenly.

Step 07

Add topping: In a small bowl, combine topping sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter surface.

Step 08

Bake cake: Bake for 40 minutes until the cake achieves a golden exterior and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.

Step 09

Cool and serve: Allow cake to cool slightly before serving. Present warm, optionally garnished with powdered sugar or crème fraîche.

What you'll need

  • 9x13-inch rectangular baking dish
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Sharp knife and cutting board

Allergy notice

Check each ingredient for allergens and get medical advice if you're unsure.
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains milk and dairy products
  • Contains wheat gluten
  • Contains butter

Nutritional info (per serving)

Nutrition info is meant to guide only—it's not a replacement for professional medical input.
  • Calories: 330
  • Fats: 11 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Proteins: 5 g