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Easy Oatmeal Apple Cake Recipe

4.7 from 114 reviews

This Easy Oatmeal Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert that combines wholesome oats, ripe grated apples, and warm pumpkin pie spice into a tender cake topped with a crunchy pecan streusel. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this simple recipe uses whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners like maple syrup, offering a delightful autumn-inspired treat with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cup rolled oats (makes 1 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oat flour)
  • 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup (or brown sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature* (or 1/2 cup any milk of choice + 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar)
  • 2 apples, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)

Streusel:

  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8×8-inch cake pan well, and for easy removal, line it with parchment paper leaving an inch of overhang on two sides.
  2. Make the streusel: In a medium bowl, combine oats, white whole wheat flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and chopped pecans. Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and stir or use your hands until it is evenly moistened and clumps together. Set aside.
  3. Prepare dry ingredients: Place the rolled oats into a high-powered blender or food processor and blend until you achieve a fine oat flour. Transfer this to a large mixing bowl, then add the white whole wheat flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine thoroughly.
  4. Prepare wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Grate the apples using a box grater or a food processor grating blade. Add the grated apples, including their juice, into the wet mixture and stir gently.
  5. Combine: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Fold the batter gently with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and evenly crumble the streusel topping on top, pressing it lightly into the batter.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 37 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before lifting it out using the parchment overhang and slicing.
  7. Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature. For extra indulgence, drizzle with a cream cheese glaze or almond butter if desired. Enjoy with a mug of tea or coffee.

Notes

  • To make buttermilk substitute: add 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup milk and let sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
  • You can freeze slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 2 months.
  • For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and butter with a plant-based alternative, and use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
  • Cream cheese glaze recipe: mix 4 oz cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1-2 tablespoons milk until smooth.
  • This cake pairs beautifully with tea or coffee as a breakfast or snack option.

Keywords: oatmeal apple cake, healthy apple cake, streusel apple cake, pumpkin spice cake, easy cake recipe, whole wheat cake, autumn dessert