This Pioneer Woman Apple Bundt Cake is a moist and tender recipe, which is made with fresh apples and walnuts, featuring a beautiful cinnamon-apple swirl inside. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe for fall, perfect for any gathering.
Pioneer Woman Apple Bundt Cake Ingredients
A classic combination of fall flavors in an elegant Bundt cake.
- 2 cups apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting
How To Make Pioneer Woman Apple Bundt Cake
A step-by-step guide to this stunning and delicious cake.
- Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, 1 tablespoon of white sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Toss to coat the apples and set aside.
- Mix the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of white sugar, the vegetable oil, orange juice, vanilla, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until the mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Layer the Cake: Pour about one-third of the cake batter into the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-apple mixture over the batter. Carefully add another third of the batter, followed by the remaining apples. Pour the final third of the batter on top, creating the last layer.
- Bake and Cool: Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a long wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the cake is completely cool, dust it generously with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

Recipe Tips
For the most delicious and perfectly baked apple Bundt cake.
- How to prevent the Bundt cake from sticking? Proper pan preparation is crucial. Use solid vegetable shortening or softened butter and a pastry brush to get into every nook and cranny of the Bundt pan. Then, add a few tablespoons of flour and tilt and tap the pan until the entire greased surface is coated with a thin layer of flour. Tap out any excess.
- What are the best apples for this cake? Use a firm, crisp apple that holds its shape during baking. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala are all excellent choices that provide a great balance of tart and sweet flavors.
- Why use orange juice in the batter? The small amount of orange juice adds a subtle brightness and acidity that complements the sweet apples and warm cinnamon, adding a lovely depth of flavor to the cake.
- How do I know when the Bundt cake is done? Due to their shape, Bundt cakes can be tricky. The most reliable method is using a long wooden skewer. It needs to reach the center of the cake; when you pull it out, it should be clean or have just a few dry crumbs attached.
What To Serve With Apple Bundt Cake
Simple accompaniments for this beautiful fall cake.
This cake is wonderfully moist and flavorful on its own, but it’s even more delicious with:
- A dollop of fresh whipped cream or crème fraîche
- A scoop of vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream
- A drizzle of warm caramel or butterscotch sauce
How To Store Apple Bundt Cake
Keeping your cake fresh and moist.
- Room Temperature: Store the cake in a cake dome or an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 4 days.
Pioneer Woman Apple Bundt Cake Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Fat: 25 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake is a great make-ahead option as its flavor and moisture hold up very well. You can bake it a day in advance, let it cool completely, and store it covered at room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
Can I use a different nut?
Absolutely. Chopped pecans are a classic and wonderful substitute for the walnuts in this recipe.
Could I add a glaze instead of powdered sugar?
Yes, a simple glaze would be a lovely addition. Whisk together 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk or orange juice until you have a thick but pourable consistency, then drizzle it over the cooled cake.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Applesauce Cake Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Apple Cake Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Peach and Brown Sugar Icebox Cake Recipe
Pioneer Woman Apple Bundt Cake Recipe
Description
An incredibly moist and tender apple Bundt cake with a beautiful cinnamon-apple and walnut swirl layered throughout, finished with a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.
- In a bowl, toss the diced apples with 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together 2 cups sugar, oil, orange juice, vanilla, and eggs.
- Stir in the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Fold in the walnuts.
- Layer the batter and the apple mixture in the prepared pan, starting and ending with batter.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThoroughly greasing and flouring your Bundt pan is the most important step to ensure the cake releases cleanly.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUse a firm baking apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so the pieces don’t turn to mush.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eLayering the apples between the batter creates a lovely swirl of flavor and moisture throughout the cake.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe cake is best stored at room temperature in an airtight container.u003c/liu003e
