Try this moist Bramley apple loaf cake for a delicious comforting bake full of flavour.
Tart Bramley apples combine with sweet caramel and crunchy walnuts, both in the batter and drizzled on top, making every slice irresistible.
This easy all-in-one apple loaf cake gets an indulgent boost from a tin of caramel sauce, adding a rich, sweet touch.
The cake itself is moist, satisfyingly dense, and has a lovely sticky texture - everything you want in the perfect autumn apple bake.
Love Bramley apple recipes? Try my easy Eve's pudding recipe next.
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- One-bowl wonder - this apple loaf cake is simple to make, with minimal washing up required.
- Seasonal Bramleys - tart Bramley apples provide the perfect balance to the cake's natural sweetness.
- Moist and indulgent - this loaf cake is wonderfully moist, dense, and slightly sticky, making it a comforting teatime treat.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Apples - 2 Bramley apples (or other tart cooking apples), peeled and chopped into small pieces.
Butter - softened salted butter works beautifully with the caramel sauce, but unsalted is fine if that's what you have.
Sugar - light brown sugar (or light muscovado) gives a lovely depth of flavour. Caster sugar can be used, though the batter will be slightly paler.
Eggs - 3 large eggs, at room temperature for best results.
Flour - plain white flour is used here, but wholewheat flour can be substituted for a nuttier texture.
Baking powder - the raising agent that helps the loaf cake rise perfectly.
Caramel - tinned caramel sauce (such as Carnation caramel or dulce de leche) is used; some goes into the batter, and some is reserved for drizzling on top. Any caramel sauce will work.
Walnuts - for a crunchy topping; pecans are a great alternative, or omit nuts altogether if preferred.
🔪 How to make moist apple loaf cake
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat the oven to 180c (160 fan/ Gas 4) and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with non stick parchment paper.
Two: Place the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, and 200g of caramel sauce into a large mixing bowl and beat until all ingredients are combined. You can use an electric mixer too.
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Three: Fold through the chopped apple and pour the cake batter into the loaf tin. Bake for 30 minutes then remove the cake from the oven and cover with foil. Return to the oven and bake for a further 20-25 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
Four: Allow the cake to cool, then remove it from its tin onto a cooling rack and drizzle the top with 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce (thinned to a drizzling consistency with a drop of water). Sprinkle over the walnuts and serve.
Top Tips
- Room-temperature ingredients - make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start. This helps them blend smoothly, giving your cake an even, consistent texture.
- Mix before adding apples - combine the other cake ingredients before peeling, chopping, and folding in the apples to prevent them from browning.
- Check your raising agent - ensure the baking powder is fresh for a reliable rise.
- Use a loaf liner - a cake liner makes removing the cake quick and mess-free.
- Test for doneness - insert a skewer or toothpick into the centre; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, bake for a few more minutes.
- Cool before removing - let the cake rest in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. This prevents it from breaking apart.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve slices of this moist Bramley apple loaf cake warm or at room temperature, perfect alongside a steaming cup of tea or coffee.
For an indulgent treat, add a dollop of whipped cream, crème fraîche, or a scoop of honeycomb ice cream. The cake also pairs wonderfully with fresh berries or a sprinkling of toasted nuts for extra texture.
📖 Variations
- Warm spices - add a teaspoon of cinnamon or mixed spice for a cosy autumn flavour.
- Vanilla extract - a splash enhances the flavour.
- Nutty crunch - fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture.
- Sweet apples - swap Bramleys for Pink Lady or Gala for a naturally sweeter cake.
- Dried fruit - raisins or chopped apricots add chewiness.
- Topping twist - try a crumble topping instead of caramel for a different finish.
- Citrus zing - add orange or lemon zest for a fresh, tangy lift.
🥡 Storage
Store - Keep your apple loaf cake fresh and moist by storing it in an airtight container or a cake tin.
Freeze - The loaf cake can be frozen without the caramel glaze. Wrap the cooled cake in cling film (plastic wrap), then a layer of foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before adding the caramel drizzle and walnuts.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Avoid storing the cake in the fridge as it may dry out. Apple cake should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Here are a few ideas!
1. Apple Crumble
2. Baked Apples
3. Apple Muffins
4. Apple Pie Bars
5. Apple Flapjacks
6. Stewed Apples
7. Eve's Pudding
8. Apple Sauce
Absolutely! While Bramley apples are a popular choice due to their tartness which complements the sweet caramel, feel free to experiment with different apple varieties. For a sweeter loaf, consider using Granny Smith, Pink Lady or Gala apples.
Not a fan of walnuts? No problem! You can use other nuts like pecans or almonds. Alternatively, a sprinkle of granola or seeds could provide that crunch you're looking for.
The most reliable way is to use the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick or skewer into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, your apple loaf cake is done. If it comes out with wet batter, give it a few more minutes and test again. Remember, every oven is slightly different, so it's always better to start checking a little earlier than the suggested baking time.
😋 More easy loaf cake recipes
- Blackberry Loaf Cake
- Blackcurrant Loaf Cake
- Lemon Curd Loaf Cake
- Marzipan Loaf Cake
- Madeira Loaf Cake
- Golden Syrup Loaf Cake
🍏More apple recipes
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Recipe
Moist Bramley Apple Loaf Cake Recipe
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Equipment
- Chopping Board
- Vegetable Peeler
- Knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Baking Paper
Ingredients
For the apple cake
- 175 g Salted Butter softened
- 200 g Caramel Sauce from a tin
- 50 g Light Brown Sugar
- 3 Eggs large
- 175 g Plain Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 2 Bramley Apples peeled and chopped into small pieces
For the caramel drizzle
- 2 tablespoon Caramel Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Water
- 3 tablespoon Chopped Walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°c (160 fan/ Gas 4/ 350F) and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with non stick parchment paper.
- Place the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, and caramel sauce into a large mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until all of the ingredients are combined. You can use an electric mixer if you prefer.175 g Salted Butter, 200 g Caramel Sauce, 50 g Light Brown Sugar, 3 Eggs, 175 g Plain Flour, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- Fold in the chopped apple and pour the cake mixture into the prepared tin.2 Bramley Apples
- Bake for 30 minutes then remove the cake from the oven and cover with foil. Return to the oven and bake for a further 20-25 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool, then remove it from its tin onto a cooling rack and drizzle the top with 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce (thinned to a drizzling consistency with a drop of water). Sprinkle over the walnuts and serve.2 tablespoon Caramel Sauce, 1 teaspoon Water, 3 tablespoon Chopped Walnuts
Joy says
Moist and easy apple cake recipe. A great use for Bramley apples.
Kathleen says
Oh my deliciousness! Apples, caramel in a moist and fantastic bread. I'm in!
Sandhya S says
Easy peasy Apple recipe to use up all the apples from my tree. I am going to enjoy this apple cake with a drizzle of custard.
Carrie Robinson says
I could go for a slice of this right about now! 🙂 That caramel sauce looks amazing.
Beth says
I can't wait to make this! Everyone else goes crazy for pumpkin spice this time of year, but for me, it's apples!
Tayler says
We are going apple picking this weekend so I am definitely saving this recipe to make. It looks incredible and I can't wait to try it!