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    Home » RECIPES » Desserts

    Apple Hill Cake Recipe

    Published: Nov 25, 2019 / Modified: Nov 6, 2020 by: Karen Lee / This post may contain affiliate links. As Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. /

    Jump to Recipe ⬇️

    This Apple Hill Cake recipe is so easy to make that it's almost impossible to screw up. It's a quintessential dump and bake cake!

    It is a quick and easy cake recipe you can make to please even the pickiest apple dessert lovers. This "dump and bake" cake turns out perfect every time and is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

    vanilla ice cream on golden apple cake white rimmed blue plate

    Apple Hill Cake Recipe

    I don't bake pies. There. I said it. The thought of fiddling around with a rolling pin, worrying about the temperature of the dough, and stressing over whether the finished crust will turn out ok give me anxiety. But like most Americans, I love baked goods with apples so when I discovered this Apple Hill Cake, I was thrilled. I was thrilled that it's such an easy recipe that I was guaranteed that I won't fail.

    Jump to:
    • Intro
    • Ingredients
    • FAQ
    • Instructions
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe

    Intro

    What Is Apple Hill Cake?

    I got this recipe from my hubby's friend, Rod, who used to bring it for my kids whenever he came over for dinner. He'd used to say, "Don't worry. It's simple to make! It's almost too simple to screw up!"

    Apple Hill cake is named after the famous Apple Hill farm. Apple Hill farm is located in the greater Placerville region in California. This farm grows all their own apples - so if you enjoy apple desserts, you'll love this!

    Apple Hill Cake, the quintessential "dump and bake" cake, is so easy and takes hardly no skills to make that it's perfect for someone like me who has pie phobia. Yes, it's a real thing.

    Enter Apple Hill Cake.

    Ingredients

    Apples:

    Use hard baking apples like Granny Smith or Honey Crisp. Make sure you are using organic apples since apples are on the EWG's Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list of fruits for high pesticide content.

    Flour:

    I used regular flour to bake this years ago. It was before we found out my kids were allergic to wheat and gluten. Since then, I've used gluten-free flour and it turns out great. To make a gluten-free version, you can use your favorite gluten-free flour but I like King Arthur's Paleo Flour. It seems to have the right proportion of various gluten-free flours to make the consistency of wheat flour. I also don't use regular sugar anymore and use coconut cane sugar.

    Sugar:

    I used a combination of coconut cane sugar and molasses to keep it healthier. Coconut sugar contains healthy fats that are better for your body than pure cane sugar.

    Spices:

    I combined cinnamon and nutmeg. I'm sure you can add a touch of cloves too if you want to, but I didn't think it needed it.

    FAQ

    What kind of apples should I use for Apple Hill Cake?

    Use crunchy baking apples like Granny Smith or Honey Crisp. If you use the wrong apples, the cake will come out too soggy. Don't use soft apples like Fuji or Red Delicious. There is a reason why Granny Smiths are used for baking pies.

    How do you make this gluten-free?

    To make a gluten-free version, you can use your favorite gluten-free flour but I like King Arthur's Paleo Flour. It seems to have the right proportion of various gluten-free flours to make the consistency of wheat flour.

    Why does my apple cake stick to the pan?

    The best way to prevent your cake from sticking to the pan is to coat it with some avocado oil and then dust it with gluten-free flour. The cake will come out easily, without any mess.

    Instructions

    How To Make Famous Apple Hill Cake

    Here are some photos showing each step of this recipe. Follow along and make your own cake with me. I'll also share some tips I learned along the way too.

    Mix the apples with the batter to coat well. If some of the flour is not completely wet, as you can see below, don't stress. A little bit of dried flour is fine. They will all become coated and cooked.

    apple slices covered in flour batter

    Make sure to coat the pan with oil and dust off some flour so the cake doesn't stick to the pan.

    apple slices and batter in pan

    Depending on what type of a pan or oven you're using, the cooking time may vary. A heavy ceramic pan like Staub takes a bit longer than Pyrex glass pan. A convection oven will be quicker than a regular oven. The cake is done when a toothpick in the middle of the pan comes out clean. Or if the cake is springy when pressed down on the top of the cake gently.

    Always take out a piece for yourself before serving since this cake will go FAST! Trust me.

    Missing square of baked apple hill cake from a pan

    Serve with a dollop of Ice Cream if you tolerate dairy. Or dairy-free ice cream of your choice. Vanilla is our favorite!

    Apple Hill Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream on top on a blue plate with a spoon

    Related recipes

    • Lavender Crème Brûlée In The Instant Pot
    • Dairy-Free No-Bake Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes
    • Green Tea Ice Cream

    ⭐️ Have you tried this recipe? If you love this recipe, give it "5 star" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card! We appreciate your feedback!

    Recipe

    Did you try this recipe? We would love your feedback! Click on the stars on the recipe card below.
    vanilla ice cream on golden apple cake white rimmed blue plate
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    5 from 1 vote

    Apple Hill Cake

    Apple Hill Cake is an easy dump and bake cake that's too easy to mess up. Serve with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or by itself.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course : Desserts
    Cuisine : American
    Keyword : Baking
    Servings: 10
    Author: Karen Lee

    Equipment

    • Baking Pan

    Ingredients

    • 4 c thinly sliced apples about 6 medium apples
    • 1 tablespoon Avocado oil to coat the pan
    • 1 tablespoon flour for dusting the pan

    Sugar Mixture

    • 1 ½ c Coconut Cane Sugar
    • ½ c Avocado Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Molasses
    • 2 eggs

    Dry Ingredients

    • 2 c Flour see below for gluten free version
    • 2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Beat the sugar mixture and sift the dry ingredients.
    • Add apple slices to sugar mixture and coat the apples.
    • Add dry ingredients to the apple mixture and blend in and coat the apples evenly as possible. The consistency of the batter will be gooey.
    • Oil and flour a 9x13 glass pan
    • Bake the mixture in the pan for 60 minutes.

    Notes

    For Gluten Free version, use Gluten Free flour like King Arthur's Paleo Baking Flour
    For Dairy-Free version, use coconut ice cream or soy ice cream. 
    If using a ceramic pan, like Staub or Le Creuset, add additional ten minutes to the cooking times. 
    DisclosureThis recipe may contain links that pay commission to this site when you purchase from the links, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure!
    Tried this recipe? Share your photo and mention @koreanfoodiemom or tag #koreanfoodiemom!

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    About Karen Lee

    I am a food writer, recipe developer, and a cookbook author sharing my family’s favorite simple & easy, allergy-friendly recipes with you! Let's connect on Instagram || Facebook || Pinterest || YouTube Learn more about me on the ABOUT page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lolo says

      October 30, 2009 at 12:10 am

      Yummy! Send me a piece of your delicious Apple Hill Cake! Thank you so much for sharing this great recipe Karen. I have to try to make it ones specially for my husband he loves to eat sweet things. I'm so sweet!

      Hugs*

      Lolo 🙂

      • Dr. Karen says

        October 30, 2009 at 11:34 am

        He will love it! In fact, I have to make it again today because the whole pan was gone in one night!!!

    2. Marj M. says

      October 29, 2009 at 11:53 am

      MMM, thank you for sharing. I am excited to make this.

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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