Maple Apple Skillet Cake

Sharing is caring!

Let’s talk about fall. I’m just glad it has officially arrived, anyone with me on this?   I’m done with 100-degree heat,  I want to turn my oven on and bake something so my kitchen smells like fall. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the seasons but the smells of apples, pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar and all those good things that say fall is what I am craving right now.

This page may contain affiliate links, please see my full DISCLOSURE POLICY   for details.

Baking in a cast iron skillet is one of my favorite methods for making rustic cakes and this Maple Apple Skillet Cake is definitely rustic. Don’t have a cast iron skillet?  No problem!  Use an 8″ cake pan and you will still get a perfectly moist and yummy cake.

Here are some other desserts to bake in an iron skillet

• Brownies
• Cornbread
• A Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Cobblers
• Upside Down Cakes
• Pies

What kind of apple to use –

Now that we’ve covered skillets, let’s talk apples.  I’m curious, what are your favorite apples to bake with? When I bake with apples I usually mix sweet and tart together because I like the contrasting flavors. For this cake, I used Gravensteins, which are really tart, and Pink lady for their sweet aromatic flavor.  Together they have a great balance.

Gravenstein apples are unique and have a short season, so you can only get them for a couple of months.  I had my first Gravenstein in Sebastopol, California.  Unfortunately (for us apple lovers anyway), the Gravenstein orchards are being taken over by vineyards (wine lovers rejoice!).   You won’t find these apples in a store since they don’t travel well, so when I find this variety at the farmer’s market or a roadside stand I have to buy a big bag.

If you can’t find Gravenstein apples near you, try another tart apple variety in this cake.  Granny Smiths or Cameo apples work particularly well.

There is so much to like about this cake.  First off, it tastes fabulous. It’s tender, mildly sweet, and topped with fresh apples that have the perfect hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.  All those wonderful fall flavors!

Here’s your list of simple ingredients to make this amazing apple skillet cake for your next dessert –

1. Apples
2. Maple Syrup
3. Brown Sugar
4. Cinnamon
5. Nutmeg
6. Salt
7. Flour
8. Baking Powder
9. Egg
10. Milk
11. Butter

How to make a cast iron apple cake.  Simply mix your batter, no mixer required, and pour it in the skillet. And the best part, you do not even have to peel the apples!  Nope, leave those peels on for some color.  Just slice the apples fairly thin and mix with maple syrup,  brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, toss and place on top of the cake batter.

So get those ovens turned on!  Summer has gone on long enough.  It’s time to get your kitchen smelling like fall again and this skillet cake recipe will make that happen.

Print Pin

4.87 from 22 votes

Maple Apple Skillet Cake

This Maple Apple Skillet Cake is my go-to cake when I want a quick dessert that has all the wonderful fall flavors.  Maple, cinnamon, and nutmeg combined with sweet juicy apples top a tender maple cake.

Course Cake

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 359kcal

Author Jere @One Hot Oven

Equipment

• 8" Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

Apple Ingredients

• 3-4 medium sized apples, sliced If your apples are large 2 will cover the batter
• 3 tbs. maple syrup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. `salt

Cake Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups AP flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2/3 cup milk, warmed
• 6 tbls. melted butter
• 3 tbls. maple syrup

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8" iron skillet or an 8" cake pan.

Preparing the Apples

• Core and slice the apples and place in a medium-sized bowl.  Slice the apples on the thinner side.
• Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and maple syrup to the apples, stir to combine.

Making the Cake

• Place the flour, baking powered and salt in a medium-sized bowl, stir to combine. 
• Combine the warm milk, melted butter, beaten egg, and maple syrup then add to the flour mixture. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared skillet or pan.
• Lay the apples on top of the cake batter in a circular pattern.  Depending on the size of your apples if you have some that do not fit in the skillet, freeze for later. 
• If there is syrup in the bottom of the bowl you can spoon some of it on top of the apples, 1 - 2 tablespoons.
• Bake the cake for about 45-50 minutes until it is browned on top and a cake tester comes out clean from the batter.
• Let cool then slice and serve from the skillet or pan.

Notes

You can use any apple you like.  I always use a tart and a sweet variety of apple.

There is no need to peel the apples.

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 57.4g | Protein: 5.2g | Fat: 13.5g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 400mg

“There is so much to love about this Maple Apple Skillet Cake “

Right out of the oven and it looks and smells like cake heaven.  I love how the batter bakes up around the apples.

My favorite way to serve this cake is with French Vanilla ice cream and a hot cup of Oolong tea.

See that slice of cake on the plate with that baby scoop of ice cream?  Of course, you could also cut yourself a nice big slice of cake and a double scoop of ice cream instead, and then find yourself a nice cozy place and sit and enjoy your cake.  After all, fall only comes once a year.

Here’s my favorite Spiced Apple Cider Oatmeal Bread recipe in case you need more baking inspiration.

Here is another One Hot Oven recipe using a cast iron skillet. This Apricot Cherry Upside Down Cake has a moist vanilla cake topped with caramelized apricots and cherries. It is amazing.

Do you need a cast iron skillet?  This Lodge 8″ iron skillet is my favorite.  I love the size and use it for baking and frying with great results.  Pure maple syrup has a light caramel flavor that’s not too sweet and adds just the right flavor to this cake.

If you do invest in a cast iron, I have a handy guide on how to season your new skillet so it cooks perfectly.

Don’t forget to pin for later when you have a cake craving ~