Try this easy 5-ingredient apple cake roll with fresh apples! Made with a few ingredients, this cinnamon apple roll offers the perfect balance of soft, spongy texture and warm apple goodness.
This moist apple roll is the perfect way to embrace the fall baking season. With fresh, seasonal apples taking centre stage, this dessert is ideal for apple lovers.
Quick Look: 5-Ingredient Apple Cake Roll Recipe
What It Is: A soft, spongy apple cake roll made with fresh grated apples and cinnamon. Makes 8 servings.
Why Make This Version: Just five main ingredients, simple steps, and no complicated cake-making techniques.
Total Time & Prep: 45 minutes (15 minutes prep, 30 minutes baking).
Done When: The cake top is golden brown and cooked through, ready to roll while still hot.
Make Ahead: Bake and roll ahead, then cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
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You should also try this more apples than dough recipe, which gives it a delightful, fruity texture that's hard to resist. The combination of cinnamon and pistachios adds just the right amount of warmth and crunch, making it a cosy treat for any autumn day.
If you're craving more apple-inspired desserts, try making baked apple doughnuts for breakfast, a traditional Transylvanian apple cake (just 10 ingredients), or even a yule log recipe. These recipes are simple and comforting, making them great options for enjoying the seasonal fruits.
And if you're in the mood for something extra indulgent, don't miss this easy apple raisin bundt cake -it's a perfect balance of sweetness and richness that's ideal for the fall season. These easy-to-make recipes will fill your home with the delicious scents of autumn, so grab some apples and get baking!
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💗 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Made with just 5 simple ingredients and minimal effort.
- Soft and spiced: Fresh apples and cinnamon create a cosy, comforting dessert.
- Versatile: Enjoy it plain or add ice cream, yoghurt, or caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether it's a quiet night in or a family treat, it always impresses.
🥧 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Apples: Fresh apples are the true stars of this recipe! Don't forget to peel and grate them-trust me, it'll make all the difference!
- Sugar: A little bit of sugar goes a long way. Feel free to adjust the amount if you like your cake a bit sweeter or less sugary.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the foundation for this recipe, ensuring it's not too dense or too light.
♻️ Substitutions
- Sugar: If you're out of regular sugar, try brown sugar or even honey for some extra depth.
- Flour: No, all-purpose flour? Whole wheat flour is a great alternative for a heartier texture, or go with almond flour for a gluten-free version-it's a deliciously nutty swap!
- Cinnamon: Want to switch up the spices? Nutmeg or cardamom add a lovely twist and brings out different warm notes.
👩🍳 How To Make 5-Ingredient Apple Cake Roll
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F) and lining a 15x13-inch (38x33 cm) pan with baking paper and lightly greasing it.
Step 1: Grate the apples, spread them in the pan, and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 10 minutes to caramelise.
Step 2: While they bake, whisk the eggs and sugar until fluffy. Add salt, sift in the flour and baking powder, then fold everything together. For extra fluffiness, beat the egg whites separately.
Step 3: After baking the apples for 10 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and pour the cake batter over the apples, spreading it evenly.
Step 4: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Once baked, flip the cake onto a flat surface and carefully peel off the baking paper.
Step 5: Gently roll the cake up with the apple filling inside, keeping the edge tucked underneath. If you've mastered this skill, you're ready to try making a Bûche de Noël recipe for the holidays!
Step 6: Once cooled, dust the cake with powdered sugar and enjoy! You can add a scoop of ice cream, a spoonful of yoghurt, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra treat.
*See the recipe card for detailed instructions.
💭 Expert Tips
- If you want a fluffier cake, consider beating the egg whites separately and folding them into the batter.
- Be sure to grease the baking paper well so the apples don't stick.
- For a more intense apple flavour, use a mix of tart and sweet apples.
Serving Suggestions
This dessert is fantastic on its own, but it's even better with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. It's perfect for any occasion-from a family dessert to a special treat for friends.
❓5-Ingredient Apple Cake Roll FAQs
You can, but grating the apples gives the recipe a different texture, so I recommend grating for the best results.
For the best results, choose apples that are firm and slightly tart, like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp. These types hold their shape well during baking and offer a great balance of sweetness and acidity, complementing the cake perfectly.
If you're a fan of toppings (who isn't?), you know apples and caramel or cinnamon are a match made in dessert heaven! Here are a few topping ideas to make this apple cake even more delicious.
Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Whisk 1 cup heavy cream with 1 tablespoon sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon until soft peaks form.
Caramel Drizzle: Gently warm store-bought caramel sauce or melt caramel candies with a splash of cream, then drizzle over the cake.
Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze-sliced and wrapped for up to 3 months.
More Apple Cake Recipes You May Love
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📖 Recipe
Best Apple Cake with Fresh Apples
Video
Equipment
- 15x13-inch (38x33 cm) baking pan
- Grater
- Sifter
- Baking paper
- Wooden board (for flipping)
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: First, set your oven to 180°C (350°F). While it heats up, line a baking pan (15x13 inches / 38x33 cm) with baking paper and lightly brush the paper with oil to keep the cake from sticking.
- Prepare the Apples: Peel and grate 5 large apples (about 1 kg) on the large holes of a grater. Spread the grated apples evenly over the prepared pan, then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon over the apples. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. This gives the apples a slight caramelization, enhancing their sweetness.
- Make the Batter: While the apples are baking, start on the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together 4 eggs and 120 g of sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add a pinch of salt. Sift in 120 g of flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder, then fold them in gently until smooth. For an extra fluffy texture, try separating the eggs: beat the egg whites with the sugar and salt until stiff, then fold in the yolks one at a time. Gently incorporate the dry ingredients with a spatula or balloon whisk using an upward and downward motion to keep the batter airy.
- Assemble the Cake: After the apples have baked for 10 minutes, take the pan out and pour the cake batter over the apples, spreading it out gently.
- Bake: Place the pan back in the oven, baking for another 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Flip and Roll: Once baked, and while it's still hot, flip the cake onto a flat surface like a large board. Carefully peel off the baking paper from the apple layer. Roll the cake up with the apples inside, keeping the edge underneath. Let the rolled cake cool completely.
- Serve: Once the cake has cooled, dust it with powdered sugar and enjoy! Add a scoop of ice cream, a spoonful of yoghurt, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra treat.
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Notes
- Grating the Apples: Use the large holes of the grater to ensure the apples soften nicely when baked. The finer the grating, the more the apples will release moisture, so aim for medium-sized shreds for a good balance.
- Apple Variety: Use a firm apple variety, like Granny Smith or Fuji, for the best texture and taste. Softer apples may turn mushy during baking.
- Egg Whites for Fluffiness: For a fluffier cake, try separating the egg whites and yolks. Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks before folding in the yolks and dry ingredients. This extra step gives the cake a lighter texture.
- Even Distribution of Cinnamon and Sugar: After baking the apples for 10 minutes, sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar evenly to ensure consistent sweetness and spice throughout the cake.
- Flipping and Rolling: When flipping the cake, use a flat surface, like a large cutting board, and be gentle to avoid breaking the cake. Rolling the cake while it's hot helps keep it moist.
- Storage: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you have any leftover filling, store it in the fridge for later use.
- Serving Suggestions: This cake is delicious on its own but pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a little extra indulgence.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Swathi says
This is an apple cake with fresh apples is delicious and easy to make. I have made it
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Appreciate you coming back to share, Swathi! Always nice when a simple recipe becomes a repeat bake.
Michele says
This apple cake recipe was surprisingly easy but looked so impressive as it was presented rolled. Perfect for fall entertaining.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Rolling it right in the pan gives it such a neat look on a serving platter! So glad it worked out well for your gathering, Michele.
Lathiya says
This apple cake is indeed easy and tastes awesome. The caramelised apples add the perfect sweetness.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Baking the grated apples first makes all the difference in getting that deep sweetness, Lathiya! Glad you enjoyed it.
Nora says
What a lovely idea for a cake roll! We are going to make this for next weekend's party! Thanks!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Hope it turns out to be a hit at your weekend party, Nora! Have fun baking it.
Sonja says
I never thought to make a rolled apple cake, but your recipe convinced me to try it and it came out perfectly. So moist and delicious!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Rolling up the sponge right out of the oven keeps it nice and pliable. Glad your first attempt turned out so well, Sonja!
Nicole Kendrick says
My family loved this!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Hearing that your family cleared the plate means so much! Thanks, Nicole.
Oscar says
Tried this simple apple cake, and it’s everything I love about fall—soft, spongy, and bursting with fresh apple goodness.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Grated apples bake down into such a soft filling, Oscar! Glad it brought a little fall cozy to your kitchen.
Agnieszka says
Super easy cake that my family devoured! Will make it again for sure.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Having a cake disappear that fast from the counter is the ultimate win, Agnieszka! Thanks for letting me know.
Jean says
I had a bag of apples in my fridge and decided to make this recipe. Turned out so moist and delish. Thanks for sharing.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Put those leftover apples to great use, Jean! So glad the sponge turned out tender for you.
Ashley says
This is going to be the perfect cake for Thanksgiving--impressive and not too hard to make!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
It makes such a great holiday center-piece without needing hours in the kitchen, Ashley! Hope your Thanksgiving table loves it.
Tisha says
This cake was so simple to make and the recipe was easy to follow. The family loved it
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Keeping the steps simple is always the goal, Tisha! Happy to hear your family cleared the table.
Nisha says
This tastes so you with a scoop of icecream, loved the texture of the apple cake .
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Pairing a warm slice with vanilla ice cream is the absolute best way to serve it, Nisha!