Amazing jewish apple cake: 60 minute moist bite

March 10, 2026
Written By Jade Carter

Welcome! I’m Jade Carter, the home cook and recipe developer behind Cooking by Jade. My love for food started in my childhood kitchen in the Midwest, where I learned that the best meals aren't necessarily the fanciest, but the ones made with love and shared with family. While studying nutrition in college, I realized my true passion was helping others feel confident in the kitchen. I spent several years working in a professional test kitchen, where I learned the secrets to developing foolproof recipes. But my heart has always been in creating practical, delicious meals for the everyday cook. I started CookingbyJade.com to share recipes that are easy, approachable, and perfect for busy weeknights. My goal is to bring the joy of home cooking back to your table with simple ingredients, clear instructions, and meals your whole family will love. Thank you for joining me in my kitchen!

There’s just something about pulling a beautiful cake out of the oven that smells like home, isn’t there? That’s why I’m so excited to share this incredible jewish apple cake recipe with you. For me, baking is all about connection, and this particular cake is a staple because it delivers serious comfort without any fuss. Forget dry, crumbly desserts; this version is famously moist, unbelievably tender, and naturally dairy-free!

As someone who spent time mastering reliable recipes in a professional kitchen, my goal in creating this was simple: give you a foolproof method for that classic apple flavor. Whether you’re baking for Rosh Hashanah or just craving fall apple desserts, you can trust these instructions to bring a warm, delicious centerpiece to your table. If you love incredibly moist baked goods, you’ll definitely want to check out my take on super moist fruit cake too!

Why This is the Best jewish Apple Cake Recipe You Will Make

I truly believe this recipe stands out because it nails that perfect balance between tradition and reliability. You get an immensely **moist apple cake** that stays wonderfully textured for days. That means no dry slices hiding in the back of the cake stand!

We load this batter up with apples—way more than most recipes call for—ensuring you get tender apple in almost every single bite. I’ve tested this version countless times against my family’s original notes, using modern equipment, to guarantee you get that soft, **tender apple cake** every single time you bake it. It’s classic flavor perfected through modern reliability.

If you’ve ever loved my moist and easy apple brownies, you know I love packing fruit into things, and this cake is no exception!

Perfect for Holiday Apple Cake Baking

This is my absolute go-to every year for the High Holidays. It’s a classic for Rosh Hashanah gatherings because it’s so welcoming and rich with spice, but honestly, it’s flawless for any autumn get-together. Making holiday apple cake shouldn’t be stressful, and this one is designed for ease while looking incredibly impressive in a Bundt or loaf pan.

Gathering Your Ingredients for jewish Apple Cake

Okay, let’s talk about the good stuff! Because this is a traditional recipe, it’s naturally dairy-free, which is such a bonus for serving crowds with varied needs. We use standard pantry items, but where we put them makes all the difference. When I stock up for this jewish apple cake, I always make sure I grab about four or five crisp apples—usually a mix of Granny Smith for that tart bite and Honeycrisp for sweetness. That combination creates the best texture!

I recommend taking a peek at my cranberry orange scones recipe to see how I play with seasonal fruit; it’s the same idea here. Grab what you need so that mixing goes smoothly!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

You need 3 cups of peeled, cored, and chopped apples. Don’t try to sneak in pre-cut ones—we want that fresh moisture they release! We use vegetable oil instead of butter here, and I promise, it’s the secret weapon for keeping this cake incredibly soft and tender for days. When you get to the liquid, feel free to use water if you don’t have orange juice handy, but that little bit of citrus really brightens up the whole cinnamon flavor you get in this classic cake.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Tender Apple Cake

Alright, time to get mixing! This process is really straightforward, which is why I love calling this an **easy apple cake baking** superstar. First things first: get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). Now, prepare your pan—whether it’s a 10-inch Bundt or two loaf pans—grease it up well and dust it with flour. Nobody wants cake sticking to the pan, right? If you’re a fan of easy mixing techniques, you might also love my recipe for easy creamy mango sticky rice!

In one bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Keep it separate for now. In your big mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together both sugars and that lovely oil until they are happy buddies. Then, beat in the four eggs, one at a time, making sure each one is mixed in before adding the next, followed by the vanilla and orange juice.

Here is the part you absolutely cannot rush or mess up: gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed. The moment you see the last bit of flour streak disappear, STOP! Seriously, stop the mixer. Overmixing develops gluten, and gluten makes things tough, not that beautiful tender texture we are aiming for. Finally, gently fold in those chopped apples and nuts if you’re using them. Pour that glorious batter in, sprinkle that extra sugar on top for a nice crust, and let’s get it in the oven!

Baking Times for jewish Apple Cake (Bundt vs. Loaf)

Baking time changes depending on your pan, so keep an eye on it. For a big Bundt cake, you are looking at about 60 to 75 minutes. If you opted for the loaf pans—which is great for giving slices away—they are usually done closer to 50 or 60 minutes. Don’t just trust the clock; grab a wooden skewer and poke it into the center. You want it to come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If you see wet batter, give it 5 more minutes!

Cooling and Serving the Traditional Apple Cake

This is another make-or-break moment for keeping your cake in one piece! Once it’s baked through, you can’t just flip it out immediately or it might crumble. Let your **traditional apple cake** sit right in the hot pan on a wire rack for a solid 15 minutes. That lets it regain some structure. After that little rest period, carefully invert it onto the rack so it can cool completely. Give it a try—it tastes amazing warm!

Tips for the Ultimate Moist jewish Apple Cake

Getting that perfect, rich moisture in this **jewish apple cake** comes down to a few small details I picked up over the years. First, make sure those eggs are at room temperature before you start beating them in. Room temperature eggs emulsify so much better with the oil and sugar, creating a smoother, more stable batter foundation. Remember when I talked about not overmixing? That’s rule number one, but rule number two is how gently you fold everything in at the very end.

When you add those apples and nuts, use a gentle hand. We want them suspended in the batter, not having their delicate structure knocked out by aggressive stirring. Also, if you’re adding orange zest (which I highly recommend, it’s a game-changer!), mix it right in with your dry ingredients so the flavor distributes beautifully throughout.

And don’t skip that final sprinkle of sugar on top! It caramelizes a bit during baking, giving you a slight crunch that contrasts wonderfully with how soft the inside cake is. For more tips on keeping things soft, you absolutely have to check out my Greek Yogurt Banana Bread—it uses similar principles for incredible moisture retention. You might also love the science behind my old-fashioned applesauce cake!

Variations: Creating Your Own Apple Loaf Cake Recipe

This recipe is sturdy enough that you can really play around with it, which I love! While it shines beautifully in a Bundt pan, turning this into an **apple loaf cake recipe** gives you the perfect slice for wrapping up and gifting to neighbors. If you bake them as loaves, just remember to watch the oven time carefully, as they bake faster than the big Bundt.

Since we are using oil, this cake holds up incredibly well, so an orange glaze is a fantastic addition if you want something a little brighter than just the sugar topping. Imagine that sweet tang against the warm cinnamon! You can easily whip up a simple glaze using powdered sugar and orange juice, or check out how I handle citrus toppings on my lemon zucchini bread for some inspiration. It’s a simple step that makes this cake feel extra special for any occasion.

Storing Your jewish Apple Cake for Freshness

The best part about this cake, besides the taste, is how long it stays perfect! Because it’s packed with moisture from all those apples and uses oil instead of butter, it doesn’t get dry on you halfway through the week. You don’t need to panic about leftovers!

Keep your **jewish apple cake** completely covered at room temperature for up to four days. Honestly, I find it tastes even better on day two, once all those cinnamon spices have really settled into the crumb. You only need to refrigerate it if your kitchen is incredibly hot and humid, but if you do, make sure it’s well wrapped so it doesn’t dry out. You’ll be amazed at how moist it remains!

Frequently Asked Questions About jewish Apple Cake

I get so many questions whenever I share this recipe, which just tells me how much everyone loves a great apple cake! Here are a few things I hear a lot when people are getting ready to bake their **jewish apple cake**. If you need more background on my approach to baking in general, you can always read up on my story here!

Is this jewish Apple Cake Recipe truly Dairy Free?

Yes, it absolutely is! That’s one of the beautiful, historic parts of the **dairy free apple cake** tradition—it uses vegetable oil instead of butter, and we skip milk or sour cream entirely. This keeps the cake rich and moist while making it safe for everyone at your holiday table. Oil is honestly the reason this cake stays so wonderfully soft days later; trust me on that one!

What are the best apples for a Moist Apple Cake?

If you want that quintessential **moist apple cake** texture, you have to pick wisely. I strongly suggest using a mix of tart and firm apples. In my kitchen, I always use Granny Smith because they hold their shape; they don’t turn to complete mush when baked. But mixing them with a sweeter, slightly softer apple like Honeycrisp or Gala gives you both structure and great flavor. Just remember to chop them yourself—no mushy store-bought apples allowed here!

How can I make this a Cinnamon Apple Cake?

If you want to really double down on that cozy flavor profile, making it a true **Cinnamon Apple Cake** is easy! The original recipe already has a teaspoon of cinnamon, but if you want it stronger, bump that up to a full teaspoon and a half. I also sometimes add just a tiny pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) of ground allspice right into the dry mix. It doesn’t scream ‘allspice,’ but it really enhances the apple and cinnamon warmth, making it smell incredible while it bakes for the holidays!

Nutritional Estimates for this jewish Apple Cake

Now, folks, I want to be totally transparent about what’s in this delicious **jewish apple cake**. As a lover of both good food and good nutrition, I always run the numbers. The estimates below are based on the recipe serving 12 slices. Keep in mind, this is just a guideline!

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 18g
  • Total Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Protein: 4g

These numbers can shift a bit depending on the brand of oil you use or exactly how large your apple chunks end up being. But generally speaking, this is a satisfying slice of comfort food perfect for your gatherings!

Share Your jewish Apple Cake Creations

And there you have it—the recipe that brings warmth and spice to my table is now ready for yours! I truly hope making this **jewish apple cake** brought you as much joy as it brings me every time I mix up that batter. It’s an heirloom recipe for a reason, and I’m so happy to share it with you.

Now, the most important part: I want to hear all about it! Did you use a Bundt or did you go for the loaf? Which apples did you choose? Please head down to the comments below, give this recipe the 5 stars it deserves if it made your kitchen smell amazing, and tell me how it went. I read every single comment you leave!

When you take that first beautiful slice out of the pan, snap a picture! I love seeing your creations. Tag me on social media so I can share your gorgeous baking triumphs. If you want to see more deeply tested, reliable recipes built on comfort and flavor, you can always reach out to me through my contact page. And for another incredibly popular, apple-packed recipe that I know you might love, you can check out the one I spotted from The Farm Girl Gabs here: their take on the cake. Happy baking, friends!

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Classic, Moist Jewish Apple Cake (Bundt or Loaf)

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Make this traditional Jewish Apple Cake for your next gathering. This recipe yields a wonderfully moist and tender cake packed with apples and warm spice, perfect for holidays like Rosh Hashanah or any fall dessert occasion. It is naturally dairy-free.

  • Author: cookingbyjade
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 70 min
  • Total Time: 90 min
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American/Jewish
  • Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup orange juice (or water)
  • 3 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples (about 45 medium apples)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1/4 cup extra granulated sugar for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or two 9×5-inch loaf pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until combined.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and orange juice.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the chopped apples and nuts (if using).
  7. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan(s). Sprinkle the top evenly with the extra 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.
  8. Bake a Bundt cake for 60 to 75 minutes, or loaf cakes for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes before inverting it onto the rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For a brighter flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the orange juice with fresh orange zest.
  • If you prefer a loaf cake, divide the batter between two loaf pans and reduce the baking time slightly.
  • This cake stays moist for several days when stored covered at room temperature.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 35
  • Sodium: 180
  • Fat: 18
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15.5
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 48
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 4
  • Cholesterol: 55

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