A delicious chocolate cake with fresh apples, chocolate chips, and walnuts. This cocoa apple cake 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.
Delicious apple cake
Cocoa apple cake is the perfect fall dessert. Well, actually it would be perfect for any time 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 and full of chocolate and little bits of apple. There's nothing better than finding an old forgotten recipe and it becomes a new favorite!
This is an easy-to-make dessert that will leave people asking you for the recipe!
If you love this apple cake, you'll also want to check out this easy cinnamon apple cake!
Step by step directions
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- 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 allow cake to fully cool before removing from pan.
- To remove from pan, invert pan and gently shake.
To 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.
Recipe tips
- Use a crisp, tart apple for best results.
- Grate apples on the large holes of a grater.
- To avoid sticking, spray the bundt pan with a nonstick spray and then add a light coat of flour. Knock off excess flour.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before removing the cake.
Recipe Faqs
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.
This cake will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Once the cake is cooled, place in an airtight container or place on a plate and cover it with plastic wrap. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Serving suggestion
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.
More delicious desserts
- chocolate mayonnaise cupcakes
- chocolate bundt cake
- oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
- peach cobbler
- raspberry almond coffee cake
- applesauce cake
- blueberry lemon bundt cake
- apple tart
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!
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Cocoa Apple Cake
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
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.3 whole eggs, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt.2 ½ cups flour, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add dry mixture to creamed mixture.
- Fold in walnuts, chocolate chips, and apples.2 cups grated apples, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 cup chocolate chips
- 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 from pan.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
This is so perfect for fall Kathy! It looks so moist. I'll need to get this one on my fall baking list for sure!
Neia says
How kind of you, Kathy, to put up this delicious recipe. I took the liberty of swapping walnuts for cranberries, to be festive. I accidentally made cookies, as I overfilled the little Christmas stocking moulds and the tops crisped up and spilled over onto the tin, so I sliced them off and now have both cookies and tiny cakes.
Km Koesler says
I've been hunting this recipe since the mid 1980's! Thank you so much for posting it. I found it in a magazine once, made it, and lost the issue. I've been trying to replicate it ever since! It is the best apple cake in my memory. Thank you again.
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
Kathy, I popped on over here from your Cherry Crisp recipe... The photo of this bundt cake would not be denied. It sounds like a wonderful recipe. Family recipes, passed down and shared, are often the best. I'm so happy you shared this stunner with us. Your photos are beautiful.
Kathy says
Thanks, Kim! Many of my best recipes are old family favorites! They are a favorite for a reason! 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
I love bundt cakes! this cake sounds delicious! 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
This apple cocoa cake looks absolutely yummy. So stunning and full of delish flavors! 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
I totally agree. Anything baked in a bundt pan looks gorgeous. I really need to buy one..
This cake sounds so good!
Kathy says
You do need to get yourself a bundt pan! You'll love it!
Fran @ G'day Souffle' says
Kathy,I've recently been on a diet and lost 15 pounds, but maybe I can sneak a piece of this delicious cake!
Kathy says
Congrats to you! This cake is awfully tempting...approach with caution!
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
You know Kathy, bundt cakes just make me happy. I have no clue why. It must be the shape. Or maybe just the fact I own one and lately I've been actively seeking recipes with cocoa powder to satisfy my chocolate cravings without heading down to the nearest chocolate shop and buying 2 pounds chocolate. Because that does nothing for me! And apples, excited this recipe calls for apples as my tree is thriving this year. Yay!
Kathy says
This recipe sounds like it was made just for you!
Danielle @ So Munch Love says
Apple cake is delish, but cocoa apple cake?! That sounds divine. I am sooooo ready for fall apple picking!
Kathy says
Most of our apples need a light frost. But we have a few early eaters right now! So yummy....especially in this cake!