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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Make sure to coat the pan with oil and dust off some flour so the cake doesn't stick to the 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.
Serve with a dollop of Ice Cream if you tolerate dairy. Or dairy-free ice cream of your choice. Vanilla is our favorite!
Related recipes
- Lavender Crème Brûlée In The Instant Pot
- Dairy-Free No-Bake Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes
- Green Tea Ice Cream
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Recipe
Apple Hill Cake
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
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Lolo says
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
He will love it! In fact, I have to make it again today because the whole pan was gone in one night!!!
Marj M. says
MMM, thank you for sharing. I am excited to make this.