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Home » Recipes » Christmas Day Recipes

Apple Spice Bundt Cake

Published: Jul 17, 2024 · Modified: Jul 7, 2025 by Debra Clark · 15 Comments

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Apple Spice Bundt Cake is the perfect dessert! The cake is moist and flavorful, with a delicious apple cinnamon flavor. This recipe is easy to make because its starts with a cake miix!

Apple Bundt Cake on cake stand with slice of cake on serving plate.
Apple Spice Bundt Cake
Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe irresistible
  • Ingredients you'll need
  • Creative variations to try
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Essential tools for this recipe
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
  • Top Tip
  • How to store leftovers
  • More recipes you'll love
  • Old Fashioned Apple Spice Bundt Cake

What makes this recipe irresistible

The aroma of this cake is mouth-watering and will leave your kitchen smelling delightful. You'll love how easy it is to make and absolutely delicious!

It's perfect as a dessert, snack, or even as a breakfast treat! Shhh... I'll never tell! 😋

Ingredients to make applesauce bundt cake recipe with print overlay.

Ingredients you'll need

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • Spice cake mix - brand of your choice plus ingredients that the cake calls for - eggs, vegetable oil, and water.
  • cinnamon
  • vanilla extract
  • applesauce
  • apples - The best apples for baking are Braeburn, Cortland or granny smith apples - look for a tart, firm apple.
  • chopped pecans or walnuts.

Creative variations to try

  • Change up the nuts in this easy apple cake, use walnuts or even peanuts instead.
  • An apple glaze for the cake would be amazing! You could make a maple glaze or a simple vanilla glaze. A cream cheese frosting or just a drizzle of caramel sauce would be delicious too.
  • Pumpkin pie spice mix would be a great swap for the cinnamon in the fall.
  • Use a white or yellow cake mix, and add apple pie spice to the mix to make your spice cake.
  • You can make this cake in a 9x13 cake pan, topped with vanilla frosting!
Instructions to make cake recipe. With print overlay.
Apple Spice Cake Instructions

Step-by-step instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a bundt pan with baking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, place the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. (As per directions on the box.)
  3. Add in cinnamon and vanilla and mix.
  4. Add apple sauce, diced apples, and pecans, and mix into batter. Spoon into prepared baking pan.
  5. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Following baking instructions on the back of the box if using a different baking pan.
  6. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 25 minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack to completely cool. Then invert onto a serving dish and sprinkle top with powdered sugar.

The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Essential tools for this recipe

  • Bundt cake pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Pretty cake plate

Find these ingredients and more! Check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

I don't have a bundt pan, can I use something else?

You can use two loaf pans instead of a bundt pan. Or a 9x13 baking pan.

Can I freeze this cake?

Yes, this cake freezes well. You can store it in the freezer for up to two months.

What apples are good for apple cake?

Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Cortland and Granny Smith Apples are all good for baking.

Will the apples turn to mush when I bake the cake?

No, they will stay firm yet tender while baking.

What does applesauce do to a cake?

The addition of applesauce will make the cake super moist and tender! It's also adds flavor (without the edition of butter) and can cut calories as well.

Top Tip

Be sure to prep your cake pan well. Get the non-stick and flour into all the little nooks and crannies so your cake will slip right out of the cake pan!

  • Be careful to not over-mix this spice bundt cake. You want to mix the batter until just combined. You can use an electric mixer or mix by hand.
  • Top with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an especially decadent treat!
 Overhead photo of bundt cake on cake stand with slice on serving knife.
Apple Bundt Cake Recipe

How to store leftovers

Serve - This cake can be stored for up to 3 days on the countertop wrapped in plastic or stored in an airtight container.

Store - In can be stored in the refrigerator up to a week. It will be best if brought to room temperature before serving.

Freeze - up to three months.

More recipes you'll love

  • This Brownie Bundt Cake is a rich over-the-top bundt cake that the whole family will enjoy.
  • The Nothing Bundt Confetti Cake is tastes like your favorite sugar cookie in a tender cake form!
  • Churros Bundt Cake takes just like those crispy cinnamon sugar churros you get at the fair. ONLY better! You'll love this tender, moist cake!
  • How often do you visit Nothing Bundt Cakes? Well you won't have to stop there again, once you make the Pistachio Nothing Bundt Cake Recipe! Tender and delicious, this is an easy recipe!

Still looking for a favorite? Check out Grandma's Favorite Apple Desserts. There are a ton of ideas, and I know you'll find just what you're looking for!

Yum, yum, yum - isn't this cake delightful? I hope you really enjoyed it. Please leave a comment below. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Overhead photo of apple spice bundt cake on plate sprinkled with powdered sugar.
4.67 from 12 votes

Old Fashioned Apple Spice Bundt Cake

This easy to make spice cake starts with a cake mix! This cake is tender, moist and loaded with fresh apples and pecans.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time45 minutes mins
Resting time25 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 285kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 1 Spice cake mix your choice of brand make the cake according to directions on the box. Large eggs, oil, and water.
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup applesauce
  • 3 apples peeled and diced
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a bundt pan with baking spray and set aside.
  • Peel and chop apples. Place in small bowl, squeeze with fresh lemon. Toss to combine.
  • Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl. Mix the cake mix as per directions on the box, adding eggs, oil, and water.
  • Add cinnamon and vanilla to the cake batter and mix.
  • Add apple sauce, peeled diced apples and pecans. Mix to combine, do not overrmix.
  • Pour batter into prepared bundt pan. Tap pan on countertop to remove any air bubbles.
  • Place in oven, bake for 45-50 minutes. Following baking instructions on the back of the box if using a different baking pan.
  • Baking time may vary, test cake for doneness by insert a wooden pic into the center of the cake. When it comes out clean the cake is done.
  • Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 25 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to completely cool. Next, invert onto a serving dish and sprinkle top with powdered sugar.

Notes

Butter is shown as an alternative to the oil when preparing the cake mix. It will make the cake more rich! If you'd prefer, omit the oil and substitute an equal amount of melted butter instead. 

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 284mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

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    1.9K shares

    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      4.67 from 12 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Tonya says

      August 30, 2023 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      Oh my sweet HEAVENS!!! This is so amazingly good!!! Serve with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce, a side of vanilla bean ice cream.. i absolutely HATE nuts of ANY kind, but I made this with coarsely chopped walnuts, just big enough that I could actually pick them out of mine.❤️❤️❤️

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        August 30, 2023 at 8:54 am

        So true, the Apple Spice Bundt Cake is one of the BEST and it's such an easy recipe!!! Perfect for fall. And if you still are in the mood for something sweet? The Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake is AMAZING as well! Thanks for sharing and supporting the blog Tonya!

        Reply
      • Karen Hamelet says

        December 09, 2023 at 8:12 pm

        Fell apart when I turned out of pan and didn't taste really sweet and lame flavor,needs more spices

        Reply
        • Bowl Me Over says

          December 10, 2023 at 7:28 pm

          Hmmmm... it sounds like your cake pan wasn't greased properly. I've never had the cake fall apart. Sorry that happened. As to the flavor, I'm not sure what you're referring to. So many folks have given this 5 stars. Perfect you can mix some frosting with the cake and make cake balls. That would be amazing!

          Reply
      • Donna says

        August 21, 2025 at 9:18 am

        Do I use sweetened or unsweetened apple sauce ?

        Reply
        • Debra Clark says

          August 21, 2025 at 9:34 am

          I use sweetened applesauce. Enjoy the cake Donna!!

          Reply
    2. Bowl Me Over says

      July 17, 2023 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      I made this recipe over the weekend. I'd forgotten what moist cake this Apple Spicy Bundt Cake is! It's such an easy recipe and perfect for summer and fall!

      Reply
    3. Lisa says

      December 31, 2022 at 9:45 am

      4 stars
      I really enjoyed this and so did my family. I made this for thanksgiving desert, and followed the directions. It wasn't too sweet which I prefer so adding whip cream or ice cream on the side would accompany this cake well. After this recipe I've now become interested in other cake hacks and I'm not a fantastic home cook or baker! Give this one a try if you're on the fence!!!

      Reply
    4. Peg says

      September 26, 2022 at 1:48 pm

      4 stars
      I very possibly could be overlooking after rereading the recipe several times, but - you show butter in the photo of ingredients but it’s not ever mentioned. When do we use the butter? Or is that just incase of an alternative for the oil?

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 26, 2022 at 5:49 pm

        Great catch Peg and my apologies - if you prefer the cake to be a little more rich, you can substitute that as an alternative for the oil. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'll add a note in the recipe card.

        Reply
      • Alison says

        October 01, 2022 at 12:01 pm

        In the tips it says can use melted butter instead of oil.

        Reply
    5. Lorie says

      September 04, 2022 at 7:24 pm

      What size apples do you use

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        September 04, 2022 at 7:26 pm

        Hey Lorie - use medium to large size apples. Enjoy the recipe!

        Reply
    6. Connie says

      March 26, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      3 stars
      This cake took a lot more than 38 minutes to bake. I’m up to 58 at this point.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 28, 2022 at 2:00 pm

        Hmm... that's strange Connie. Was your oven preheated well and have you checked the temperature lately? I will do the same here.

        Reply
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    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

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