Chocolate Apple Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert combining rich chocolate and fresh apples. The natural sweetness and slight tartness of the apples balance beautifully with the deep cocoa flavor, creating a delightful taste experience.
This Chocolate Apple Cake has a tender crumb, often topped with a crunchy oat and almond mixture, adding texture. It can be enjoyed during cozy afternoons or special gatherings.
The main ingredients include flour, cocoa powder, apples, yogurt, and spices, making it both comforting and satisfying.
Now, I will guide you through making this delicious Chocolate Apple Cake step by step for a wonderful homemade treat.
How To Prepare Chocolate Apple Cake?
Recipe Info
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Course: Dessert / Cake
Cuisine: International / Home-style
Calories: Approximately 320 calories per serving
Yield: 8 servings
Kitchen Utensils
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Spatula
- 9-inch round or square cake pan
- Knife and chopping board
- Oven
Ingredients
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
- 25 g cold butter, cubed
Cake:
- 2 medium apples, diced with peel (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup plain or Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup olive oil (or any neutral oil)
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (use chopped dark chocolate if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the topping:
In a small bowl, mix rolled oats, brown sugar, sliced almonds, and mixed spice. Add chilled butter cubes and rub them in with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven and prepare pan:
Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and lightly flour your cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
3. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately:
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. In a large bowl, whisk yogurt, sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
4. Combine batter:
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Then gently fold in the diced apples (and chocolate chips, if using) evenly throughout the batter.
5. Bake the cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the oat topping evenly over it. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Why We Love This Recipe
This Chocolate Apple Cake combines the rich, deep flavor of cocoa with the natural sweetness and texture of fresh apples, creating a moist and tender crumb that delights every bite.
The Chocolate Apple Cake crunchy almond and oat topping adds a satisfying contrast that enhances each mouthful.
It’s a comforting treat that balances indulgence and wholesome ingredients, bringing warmth and happiness to your table while satisfying chocolate cravings in a wholesome way.
Tips and Tricks
✔ Choose crisp apples: Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Brae burn to add moisture and a slight tartness that balances the cocoa flavor. Leave the skins on for extra texture.
✔ Bring eggs to room temperature: This helps the batter mix more evenly and improves the cake’s texture.
✔ Mix carefully: Fold ingredients gently to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the cake dense.
✔ Keep butter cold for the topping: Cold butter creates a crumbly, crunchy topping instead of a greasy one.
✔ Try different nuts: Swap almonds with walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts for a unique flavor and crunch in the topping.
✔ Cool completely before slicing: Let the cake cool fully to allow it to set properly, making slicing easier and cleaner.
How To Serve Chocolate Apple Cake?
Serve this Chocolate Apple Cake slightly warm or at room temperature to enjoy its full flavor and moist texture. Slice it generously for dessert or afternoon tea, accompanied by a hot cup of coffee or spiced chain.
The combination of tender cake and crunchy topping creates a delightful contrast in every bite. For an extra touch, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top or add a few fresh apple slices on the side.
Substitutions And Variations
Substitutions
- Yogurt: Use dairy-free yogurt (coconut or almond-based) for a vegan or dairy-free option.
- Oil: Replace olive oil with melted coconut oil, avocado oil, or melted butter for a different flavor.
- Flour: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free cake.
- Sugar: Substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar, maple syrup (reduce liquid slightly), or honey.
- Apples: Use pears or grated zucchini instead of apples for a different fruit twist.
Variations
- Spiced Apple: Add extra cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice into the batter for a warm spice flavor.
- Nutty Crunch: Mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter and topping for extra texture.
- Citrus Zest: Add orange or lemon zest to the batter to brighten the flavor.
- Chocolate Swirl: Mix in swirls of peanut butter or almond butter before baking for a rich twist.
- Dried Fruit: Fold in dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates for bursts of chewy sweetness.
How To Store Leftovers
Store leftover Chocolate Apple Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, keep it refrigerated for up to a week.
Before serving, you can warm slices slightly to bring back that freshly baked softness and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make Chocolate Apple Cake without eggs?
Yes, you can use egg substitutes like unsweetened applesauce (¼ cup per egg), mashed banana, or a commercial egg replacer.
What kind of apples work best?
Crisp and slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp work best for flavor and texture.
Can I freeze Chocolate Apple Cake?
Yes, wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat slightly before serving.
Is this cake overly sweet?
No, the cocoa balances the sweetness. You can reduce the sugar slightly if preferred.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.
Conclusion
I enjoyed sharing this Chocolate Apple Cake recipe and all its details. It’s a rich, moist, and flavorful treat that brings together simple ingredients to create something special.
The combination of apples, cocoa, and a crunchy topping makes every bite memorable. I hope you feel inspired and confident to make it in your own kitchen.
Once you try Chocolate Apple Cake, you’ll see how rewarding and delicious homemade baking can be. Now it’s your turn to bake and enjoy.
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Chocolate Apple Cake
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Spatula
- 9-inch round or square cake pan
- Knife and chopping board
- Oven
Ingredients
- Topping:
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 –3 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
- 25 g cold butter cubed
- Cake:
- 2 medium apples diced with peel (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup plain or Greek yogurt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ cup olive oil or any neutral oil
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips use chopped dark chocolate if preferred
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the topping:
- In a small bowl, mix rolled oats, brown sugar, sliced almonds, and mixed spice. Add chilled butter cubes and rub them in with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside.
Preheat oven and prepare pan:
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and lightly flour your cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mix dry and wet ingredients separately:
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. In a large bowl, whisk yogurt, sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Combine batter:
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Then gently fold in the diced apples (and chocolate chips, if using) evenly throughout the batter.
Bake the cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the oat topping evenly over it. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.