This moist and delicious apple cake recipe tastes every bit as good as the popular boxed mix at a fraction of the price. Serve this apple treat for dessert, with your midday coffee or even for breakfast!
This is the perfect kind of recipe to use up some apples from apple picking, if you do that. We always do and I'm always looking for more apple recipes.
I originally published this recipe for Nana's Apple Cake in 2014. Post and photos updated 2021, but recipe hasn't changed a bit!
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I'm not going to get into what Tastefully Simple is, if you know you know... you know? Anyway, I'm not a fan of MLM's so I'll just say this about it - they charge $7.99 for a boxed of their Nana's Apple Cake Mix.
I'm sharing my homemade version, which still has all the apple, cinnamon, nutmeg flavors but it won't break the bank.
This apple cake has warm fall flavors all over it but I enjoy it all summer long too!
🛒Ingredients
- apples - granny smith
- eggs
- sugar - both brown sugar and granulated sugar
- shortening
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder & baking soda
- salt
- spices - cinnamon, nutmeg & ginger
🔪Video instructions
📃 Step-By-Step Instructions With Photos
Start by creaming together the shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and mix.
In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients.
Stir together wet and dry ingredients.
Fold in diced apples. Don't worry if mixture seems thick, that's normal.
Spread mixture into prepared cake pan and bake in pre-heated oven.
Allow to cool a few minutes before slicing.
🍽 Serving suggestions
Of course this apple cake is fabulous straight from the oven but if you want some toppings, give these a try:
- drizzle of caramel sauce
- dollop of whipped cream
- vanilla ice cream or even a cinnamon ice cream
🍎More apple recipes
🍳Recipe (printable)
Printable Recipe Card
Copycat Tastefully Simple Nana’s Apple Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup shortening
- ½ Cup granulated sugar
- ½ Cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Cup flour all purpose
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- 2 ½ Cup diced Granny Smith apples peeled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Prepare a 9 inch round cake pan or an 8x8 square baking pan with butter, non-stick spray and/or parchment paper. Set aside.
- Cream together shortening and sugars with electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla and continue to mix until smooth
- In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.
- Stir together wet ingredients and dry ingredients.
- Fold in apples. Mixture will be thick.
- Spread mixture into pan and bake in preheated oven 25-35 minutes. Test with a toothpick and when toothpick comes out clean out of middle, cake is done.
- Cut and serve with drizzled caramel, whipped cream and/or ice cream.
Recipe was adapted from a recipe I found on a site called Eat.Heat.Repeat.
Amy @Very Culinary says
It's hard not to love anything with "Nana" in it. HA. But $70 is obnoxious, for sure. Love how you recreated it!
Sheryl Ann Roy says
Hi I am thrilled with your recipe because I agree that the cost of the Nana cake apple cake recipe is expensive but I too love it. I'm going to use your recipe with all the dry ingredients and make up my own dry mix so I can use it like a cake mix whenever I wish and only add the eggs shortening and vanilla and apples later. I have done this very successfully with pancake mix will let you know how it goes
foodyschmoody says
That’s a great idea!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
A perfect recipe - just in time for apple picking season!
Crystal Barrett says
I LOVE apple cake. I drizzle mine with honey glaze but your idea with caramel sounds amazing!!!!! Looks great!
foodyschmoody says
Oh honey sounds great too, Crystal!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Yes, I am familiar with Tastfully Simple. They are really good but way too expensive! Love your homemade version.
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
It does sound amazing...I could easily get hooked. Glad you've provided a tasty homemade version! 🙂
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
oh my god I love love love apple cake!
Karissa | Sweet as a Cookie says
I need to try apple cake. It sounds so delicious!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
I don't think I could EVER bring myself to pay 7 bucks for a cake mix - that's insane! Especially when this recipe looks so amazing.
Angela {Mind Over Batter} says
My, word - This looks amazing! I'd also have it with whipped cream. Oooh, maybe a caramel flavored whipped cream. I'd still douse it with caramel. It's how I roll.
Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings says
I love copycat recipes-- especially when you can make them so much cheaper!
SMC says
How many eggs? Recipe says to add eggs, but no eggs are listed in the ingredient list. Thanks.
foodyschmoody says
Aye! Sorry about that 2 eggs. I'll edit right now. Thanks!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
I've never tried Tastefully Simple products just because I think their prices are steep but this cake looks amazing. I love apple cake and will definitely be trying this out very soon!
Sherry says
Love Tastefully Simple but, like others, can't pay the price when 10 more minutes saves dollars and preservatives. Plus I can involve more family members to measure and chop.
The only change I have to this recipe is to cream the shortening before adding sugars. And I always add a little more nutmeg to all recipes since it is my favorite!
foodyschmoody says
The way you add nutmeg to everything, is how I am with vanilla to everything. I always double what a recipe calls for! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Marion McNeely says
I haven't tried recipe yet, but going to. i made a Tastefully Simple Apple Cake but prefer to do the extra "work" and save the extra $$$$. Thank you for offering it to us.
foodyschmoody says
I hope you enjoy it Marion! Yes, those mixes while delicious are very pricey!
Marion McNeely says
I sent some TS Apple Cake over to my neighbor. She loved it. Asked for recipe. I said was TS cake mix but I will try to find one for you. I copied yours down and made her a copy and gave it to her today so she is anxious to try it. So...your recipe is making two families in El Paso very happy. Thanx again.
foodyschmoody says
Great! So happy to hear Marion!
Diane Costa says
I found a TS mix in my pantry - made it today and LOVE it so I went researching the net and didn't remember how expensive they are. So I found you recipe and am excited to try it. Thanks so much!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks. I hope you love it. I have a friend who absolutely loves this one in place of the TS.
Michelle says
Thank you for the recipe. I can't wait to try it. I used to make these all the time for special occasions, but my son has a nut allergy and there is an allergy warning on the mix box, so I am very happy to find a homemade alternative that I can make now.
foodyschmoody says
I can totally relate, my daughter is allergic to peanut, tree nut, sesame, soy, egg & chick peas! Glad I could help! Enjoy!
Brooke says
Love the idea of making it with already on hand ingredients, and not paying $7. Making things "on the cheaper side" as you said is a great and appreciated idea, thanks. My question is that no where can I find the directions on how you store the leftovers? This answer will be greatly appreciated.
foodyschmoody says
I stored on the counter but in all fairness it wasn't there very long as it was gobbled up by the next day.
Alicia says
I'm making my last box now and saw this as I was going to order more - will definitely try this recipe - I love this cake!!
foodyschmoody says
Please let me know what you think!
Amanda Homer says
Does this crisp up on top like TS?
Looks good, but I'm obsessed with the crisp on top lol
foodyschmoody says
It's been so long now since I've had the actually TS version but the top of this does get a crisp top.
Cindy Coulson says
I've made this cake 4 times now in the last month.. it's very, very good and fills the house with the most wonderful smells of apple. I made one small substitution only because I didn't have shortening. I used 1/2 cup coconut oil and it worked great!
Brenda Empie says
This one is a keeper! My daughter turned 21 today and wanted a carrot cake without raisins. I used to make it for her as a kid using Tastefully Simple's Mama's Apple cake mix. When I went to order the mix it was out of stock. In a mad scramble to find a recipe, I came across this recipe. I thought I would give it a try but substitute carrots for apples. IT WAS DELICIOUS. Thank you for coming up with this copy cat recipe! I'll not be buying the box again.
foodyschmoody says
So glad to have been a help! Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Melanie Thompson says
Wonderful recipe! The two things I always buy at TS parties is a few Apple Nana Cake Mixes and couple of the Caramel Sauce mix. (of course I also buy the dips and spreads that I rarely end up using) And when I check out I find I have spent $100...so now I place my orders with my friend who throws the parties - if I don't go, I only needed to buy those two things! Now, after your recipe, I only need to buy the caramel sauce!
I wanted to share that I use any apples I have on hand, I've used everything from Red Delicious to Granny Smiths. I use the ones I have to get through before they go soft. Also, I stopped peeling them, chop them up with skins on, cores out. The TS rep at the party recommended this, and I like it better - plus it is easier!
Thanks for sharing, so glad I found you!
Melanie
Savannah says
Do I need to cook apples before hand? Thanks in advance!
foodyschmoody says
No, I did not cook the apples prior to adding them. 🙂