Cocoa Apple Cake - A delicious chocolate cake with fresh apples, chocolate chips and walnuts. This is a super moist cake baked in a bundt pan. No need for frosting, just add a dollop of whipped cream for a perfect dessert.
Cocoa apple cake is the perfect fall dessert. Well, actually it would be perfect for anytime of the year, but I seem to only make it in the fall when we pick fresh apples.
This recipe comes from my aunt. I remember her making it when I was a teenager. I loved it and asked for her recipe. Yep, I collected recipes even way back then!
That recipe sat in my recipe card file for years until recently when I was flipping through the cards and found it! I quickly made this cocoa apple cake.
It was just as good as I remembered as a kid - moist, chocolaty with little bits of apple. There's nothing better than finding an old forgotten recipe and it becoming a new favorite!
How do I make a this cake?
- Cream together butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla and water
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt
- Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients
- Fold in chocolate chips, grated apples and chopped walnuts
- Grease and flour a bundt pan
- Add cake batter to pan
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 60 - 70 minutes. Remove from oven and all cake to fully cool before removing from pan.
- To remove from pan, invert pan and gently shake.
How do I prepare the bundt pan?
- Start by spraying the pan well with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Then take a small amount of flour and sprinkle it in the pan.
- Gently rotate the pan around and tap the sides.
- Shake out any excess flour.
Check out this article from Pioneer Woman on Using a Bundt Pan.
How do I know when the cake is done?
Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake. If the toothpick is covered with wet crumbs, allow 5 more minutes of baking. If there are just a few crumbs on the toothpick, the cake is done. If your toothpick comes out covered with melted chocolate, just use a new toothpick and select another spot to test.
Do I need to frost this cake?
Nope. This apple cake does not need a frosting. I like to serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Do I have to use walnuts?
The walnuts are optional. You could use pecans instead or just leave the nuts out altogether.
What equipment do I need?
Tips for making this cake
- Use a crisp, tart apple for best results.
- Grate apples on the large holes of a grater.
- To avoid sticking, spray bundt pan with a nonstick spray and then add a light coat of flour. Knock off excess flour.
- Allow cake to cool completely before removing cake.
Other great desserts
- raspberry brownies
- chocolate mayonnaise cupcakes
- oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
- peach cobbler
- raspberry almond coffee cake
- applesauce cake
- blueberry lemon bundt cake
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
If you loved this recipe you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my dessert recipes here!
Cocoa Apple Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 whole eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups grated apples
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream together eggs, sugar, butter, water, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt.
- Add dry mixture to creamed mixture.
- Fold in walnuts, chocolate chips, and apples.
- Place into a bundt pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray and dusted with flour.
- Bake at 350 for 60 - 70 minutes.
- Allow cake to cool before removing from pan.
Notes
- Use a crisp, tart apple for best results.
- Grate apples on the large holes of a grater.
- To avoid sticking, spray bundt pan with a nonstick spray and then add a light coat of flour. Knock off excess flour.
- Allow cake to cool completely before removing cake.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in September of 2015. The recipe, post and pictures have been updated.
Laura says
In the 70's I found this recipe in Readers Digest and have been making it ever since. A very good recipe! I used to make it in a spring pan. Tonight I will try the bunt pan.
Kathy says
I've never tried making it in a spring pan. I'll need to try that sometime. Good luck with the bundt pan! Be sure to lightly grease and flour the pan to prevent sticking!
JoJo says
Omg this cake has been in my family for over 60 years and it’s a family favorite!!!!!.... there’s absolutely nothing better than this cake. My grandma used to make it for us when we were children and I would request it every year on my birthday. Now in my 60’s I’m making this cake all the time for my family
Kathy says
It is a great one! 🙂
Laura says
My family loved this chocolate apple cake!!! Looks like I’ll be making it again and again.
Kathy says
It's one of our favorites too! 🙂
Rosie says
This looks so delicious! I've never tried the apple/ chocolate combo in a cake and now I really want to!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Oh yum, Kathy! So glad you rediscovered this in your recipe box! It looks wonderful! Love the addition of chocolate to the cake!
Valentina says
I don't think I've ever combined apples and chocolate and I love the idea! Loving apple recipes turning up as we step into fall. 🙂 ~Valentina
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says
Divine!
What a lovely combination! A perfect cake to enjoy with my coffee 🙂
Kathy says
So delicious with a cup of coffee!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
I just so happen to have everything I need! The perfect autumn cake! Wonderful!!
Kathy says
Time to get baking! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Family recipes are always the best and this one sounds and looks so good, especially with all those warming spices and fall vibes! Bet your house smells AMAZING as it bakes! Wish I had a big hunk right now for breakfast 🙂 If only I could grab some from my screen 😉
David @ Spiced says
This sounds delicious, Kathy! We make apple cake (a couple different kinds actually) every Autumn, but I must admit that I've never done a chocolate apple cake. I'm thinking this needs to happen this year...with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!