Craving a moist and delicious cake that will leave everyone asking for the recipe? Try this Apple Bundt Cake with a creamy surprise in the middle!

Packed with fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and a rich cream cheese layer, this cake is perfect for fall gatherings, holiday dinners, or simply treating yourself to something sweet. Drizzled with homemade caramel sauce, it’s the ultimate indulgence!
Ingredients List
For the Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups diced apples (from about 2 apples) (360 grams)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup vegetable or canola oil (180ml)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 grams)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (110 grams)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (120 grams)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (225 grams), room temperature
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (40 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Optional Topping:
- Caramel Sauce, for drizzling
Required Kitchen Tools
To make this Apple Bundt Cake with ease, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:
- 9 or 10-inch Bundt Pan: A non-stick Bundt pan works best to ensure the cake comes out easily. If you don’t have one, use a well-greased and floured regular Bundt pan.
- Electric Mixer or Whisk: To beat the cream cheese and to mix the cake batter.
- Mixing Bowls: A few bowls for mixing the dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and the cream cheese filling.
- Spatula: For transferring the batter and cream cheese mixture into the Bundt pan without making a mess.
- Cooling Rack: After baking, a cooling rack helps your cake cool down evenly.

Cake Preparation
Making this Apple Bundt Cake is a straightforward process, but the key to success lies in following each step carefully. Let’s dive into how to prepare the cake batter and the delicious cream cheese filling.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Layer:
- Beat the Cream Cheese: In a medium-sized bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This step ensures there are no lumps in your cream cheese mixture.
- Add the Sugar, Vanilla, and Egg: Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and egg to the cream cheese. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Refrigerate the Mixture: Set the cream cheese mixture aside in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the cake. If you have time, you can make this mixture a day or two ahead and keep it refrigerated.
Preparing the Cake Batter:
- Prepare the Bundt Pan: Grease and flour your 9 or 10-inch Bundt pan. This is an essential step to ensure your cake doesn’t stick to the pan. Set the pan aside.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot when you’re ready to bake the cake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set this dry ingredient mixture aside.
- Prepare the Apples: Dice your apples and toss them with the lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, blend together the oil, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until well combined. Then, stir in the applesauce and vanilla extract. Beat in the egg until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until the batter is just combined. The batter will be thick.
- Fold in the Apples: Gently fold the diced apples into the batter. Be careful not to overmix as this can make the cake dense.
Assembling the Apple Bundt Cake
Now that both your cake batter and cream cheese layer are prepared, it’s time to assemble the cake. Follow these steps to create the beautiful layers in your Bundt cake:
Layering the Cake:
- First Layer of Cake Batter: Pour half of the prepared cake batter into your greased and floured Bundt pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly across the bottom.
- Add the Cream Cheese Layer: Spoon the chilled cream cheese mixture in a line along the center of the batter, being careful not to let the cream cheese touch the sides of the pan. This ensures the cream cheese stays in the middle of the cake.
- Top with Remaining Cake Batter: Carefully spoon the remaining cake batter on top of the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly to cover the cream cheese completely. This will help the cream cheese stay hidden inside as the cake bakes.
Baking the Cake:
- Bake in the Preheated Oven: Place the Bundt pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Baking times can vary depending on your oven and the size of your Bundt pan, so keep an eye on the cake during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Cool the Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. This brief cooling period will make it easier to invert the cake onto a cooling rack without it falling apart.
Serving and Decoration
This Apple Bundt Cake is delicious on its own, but with a few added touches, it can be transformed into a show-stopping dessert!
Topping with Caramel Sauce:
For an extra layer of flavor, drizzle some homemade caramel sauce over the top of the cake just before serving. The rich, buttery caramel complements the spiced apple cake and creamy filling, making each bite even more indulgent.
- Caramel Sauce: If you don’t have time to make your own caramel sauce, you can easily purchase a jar from the store. However, homemade caramel sauce takes this dessert to the next level, so try making it yourself for the best results.
Cutting and Serving the Cake:
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. This ensures the cream cheese layer doesn’t ooze out when you slice it.
- Slice with Care: Use a serrated knife to slice the cake into generous portions. The cake’s moist texture and surprise cream cheese center will make each slice a treat.
- Serve: Serve the cake at room temperature, drizzled with caramel sauce, and perhaps even a dollop of whipped cream if you like.

Storage Instructions
How to Keep Apple Bundt Cake Fresh:
If you have leftovers (which is unlikely!), here’s how to store the cake properly to maintain its freshness:
- Room Temperature: Keep the Apple Bundt Cake covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: If you prefer, you can store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out.
Freezing the Cake:
If you want to store the cake for a longer period, freezing is a great option:
- Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To enjoy, thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator or leave it at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

Apple Bundt Cake Recipes
Equipment
- 9 or 10-inch Bundt Pan
- Electric Mixer or Whisk
- Mixing Bowls
- Spatula
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups diced apples (from about 2 apples) (360 grams)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup vegetable or canola oil (180ml)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 grams)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (110 grams)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (120 grams)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (225 grams), room temperature
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (40 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Optional Topping:
- Caramel Sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
Cake Preparation
- Making this Apple Bundt Cake is a straightforward process, but the key to success lies in following each step carefully.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Layer
- In a medium-sized bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This step ensures there are no lumps in your cream cheese mixture.
- Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and egg to the cream cheese. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Set the cream cheese mixture aside in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the cake. If you have time, you can make this mixture a day or two ahead and keep it refrigerated.
Preparing the Cake Batter
- Grease and flour your 9 or 10-inch Bundt pan. This is an essential step to ensure your cake doesn't stick to the pan. Set the pan aside.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it's hot when you’re ready to bake the cake.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set this dry ingredient mixture aside.
- Dice your apples and toss them with the lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend together the oil, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until well combined. Then, stir in the applesauce and vanilla extract. Beat in the egg until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until the batter is just combined. The batter will be thick.
- Gently fold the diced apples into the batter. Be careful not to overmix as this can make the cake dense.
Conclusion
This Apple Bundt Cake is the perfect combination of comforting flavors, from the warm spices to the rich cream cheese center. With its moist, tender crumb and the added touch of caramel sauce, it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, this cake is guaranteed to please. With proper storage, you can savor the deliciousness for days, so go ahead and treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice (or two)!