Name: 3-Ingredient Apple Cake – Apple Cider Donut Cake Recipe Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 large apples, peeled and grated; 1 cup self-rising flour; 2 large eggs

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There are days when you want dessert but your energy level says “meh.” That’s when this 3-ingredient apple cake steps up like an old friend. It’s the dessert I make when the fruit bowl’s got one too many apples and my pantry’s just barely stocked. If you’ve got self-rising flour, eggs, and apples, well—congratulations. You’ve already won the no-effort dessert game. This cake reminds me of cozy autumn evenings, but the truth? It hits just as well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in June. The texture is tender, lightly spiced from the apples, and just sweet enough to feel like a reward—not a regret. Whether you’re baking with kids, on a snack mission, or trying to impress absolutely no one (hi, it’s me), this cake covers you. No mixer. No fuss. Just three ingredients, one bowl, and about 40 minutes to a warm slice of joy. This is not a miracle cake. It’s just good, honest baking. And I’m telling you—it works.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy 3-Ingredient Apple Cake Recipe
3) Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Apple Cake
4) How to Make 3-Ingredient Apple Cake
5) Tips for Making 3-Ingredient Apple Cake
6) Making 3-Ingredient Apple Cake Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover 3-Ingredient Apple Cake
8) Try these Cakes next!
9) 3-Ingredient Apple Cake
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

No mixer, no stress. Just a bowl, a spoon, and 3 pantry staples.
The apple cider donut cake recipe easy enough to memorize after one try.
This sweet treat can go from idea to oven in under 10 minutes prep.
Perfect for beginners, lazy Sundays, or when your fruit bowl has one last apple begging for a purpose.

2) Easy 3-Ingredient Apple Cake Recipe

If you’re anything like me, sometimes the craving for something sweet hits hard—and your energy level taps out. That’s where this 3-ingredient apple cake comes into play. The recipe is simple. It relies on ingredients many of us already have hanging around: apples, eggs, and self-rising flour. No need to overthink it. No complicated steps or specialty gear.

I call it my “it’s too late to bake but I’m baking anyway” cake. Because honestly, it comes together faster than you can say “store-bought cookies.” What makes it really special? It tastes a bit like an apple cider donut cake but without the deep fryer drama. The outside gets golden and slightly crisp while the inside stays tender and soft. You’ll want a second slice before the first one’s done.

This is the apple cider donut cake recipe easy enough for anyone. Whether you’re baking with kids or just trying not to burn the kitchen down on a Tuesday night, this recipe’s got your back. And when you pull it from the oven, warm and lightly fragrant, it’ll feel like more than three ingredients—it’ll feel like a tiny kitchen miracle.

3) Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Apple Cake

2 large apples – Go with something crisp like Honeycrisp or Gala. Peel them and grate finely. These apples add moisture, natural sweetness, and that soft texture you want in any good apple cake.

1 cup self-rising flour – If your pantry doesn’t carry this, no panic. Just mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder and a pinch of salt. That’s it. It gives the cake its lift and soft crumb.

2 large eggs – The binder. Eggs help hold everything together, and they give a bit of richness to what’s otherwise a very simple recipe. Make sure they’re room temp if possible—it helps everything mix a little smoother.

4) How to Make 3-Ingredient Apple Cake

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch cake pan. No parchment? No problem. Just a swipe of butter or cooking spray works fine.

Step 2. Peel your apples and grate them using the large holes on a box grater. Don’t worry about them browning. You’ll mix them up fast enough.

Step 3. In a large bowl, mix the grated apples with the eggs. Stir well. You want them well combined but don’t whip them into foam.

Step 4. Add the self-rising flour. Mix just until it looks like a batter. It won’t be completely smooth and that’s fine. Lumps are okay.

Step 5. Pour the batter into your greased pan. Spread it out gently so it bakes evenly.

Step 6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 7. Let it cool a bit before slicing. Or don’t. Sometimes I cut into it while it’s still steaming and never regret it.

5) Tips for Making 3-Ingredient Apple Cake

Grate your apples just before baking. If you do it too early, they’ll oxidize. A little browning is fine, but too much and the texture turns mushy. That’s no fun for anyone.

Don’t overmix. The flour only needs to be barely combined. You’re not making a soufflé. The more you mix, the tougher it gets, so stir gently and stop when it looks like cake batter.

Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla if you’re in the mood. I sometimes stir in a handful of chopped walnuts or a dash of brown sugar when I want to zhuzh it up. But honestly? It’s lovely just the way it is.

6) Making 3-Ingredient Apple Cake Ahead of Time

This apple cider donut cake recipe easy to prep ahead. Bake it in the evening, let it cool, and by morning you’ll have a breakfast snack ready to go. It even pairs well with coffee. Trust me—I’ve tested that thoroughly.

If you want to save time, you can grate the apples and refrigerate them overnight in an airtight container. Just mix them with a squeeze of lemon to keep them from turning too brown. Then, toss them with the other ingredients when you’re ready to bake.

You can also freeze the fully baked cake. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it whole or in slices. Let it come to room temp and reheat in the oven for that freshly baked feel. It holds up better than you’d expect.

7) Storing Leftover 3-Ingredient Apple Cake

Store any leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days. If your kitchen runs hot, move it to the fridge. It’ll last a few more days that way, though it might firm up a little.

Want it soft and warm again? Pop a slice in the microwave for ten seconds. That brings the apple aroma back like it’s fresh from the oven. Works great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream too, just saying.

This cake doesn’t dry out quickly thanks to the moisture from the apples. Still, if it makes it past day four uneaten, consider toasting a slice with butter for breakfast. That’s not a suggestion—it’s a life upgrade.

8) Try these Cakes next!

9) 3-Ingredient Apple Cake