Light and fast apple cake made with oil and yogurt: the effortless recipe for a soft, everyday dessert

There are few desserts as comforting and versatile as apple cake. Its tender crumb, sweet aroma, and naturally moist texture make it an ideal treat for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a simple family dessert. While traditional recipes often call for butter and elaborate steps, there’s a lighter and faster version that uses oil and yogurt, delivering softness and flavor with minimal effort. This apple cake combines the tanginess of yogurt with the subtle richness of oil, creating a cake that stays moist for days and is perfect for everyday enjoyment.

Why Oil and Yogurt Make a Difference

Most classic cakes rely on butter for flavor and structure. While delicious, butter-based cakes can be dense and require careful creaming techniques to achieve lightness. By substituting oil for butter, the cake remains tender and moist because oil remains liquid at room temperature. It coats the flour proteins, reducing gluten formation and resulting in a softer texture.

Yogurt adds multiple benefits. Its natural acidity reacts with baking soda or baking powder, enhancing the cake’s rise and fluffiness. The yogurt also imparts a gentle tang, balancing the sweetness of the sugar and the natural flavor of apples. Together, oil and yogurt create a cake that is not only light but also moist, even when stored for a few days.

Ingredients Needed

This recipe is simple and uses ingredients that are often already in the pantry:

Apples: 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped or grated. Sweet-tart varieties like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp work best.
Flour: 1 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour. You can also substitute half with whole wheat flour for a slightly denser, nuttier cake.
Sugar: 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, though you can adjust to taste. Brown sugar can be used for deeper flavor.
Oil: 1/2 cup of neutral vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or light olive oil.
Yogurt: 1/2 cup of plain yogurt, full-fat or low-fat depending on preference.
Eggs: 2 large eggs, for structure and richness.
Baking powder: 1 teaspoon.
Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon.
Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon.
Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon for warmth and flavor. Optional, but highly recommended.
Salt: A pinch, to balance sweetness.
Optional toppings: Sliced almonds, walnuts, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, oil, yogurt, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. This ensures that the sugar dissolves slightly and the mixture is uniform.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Sifting helps prevent lumps and distributes the leavening agents evenly.
Fold Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as overworking the batter can make the cake tough.
Incorporate Apples: Fold in the chopped or grated apples. If using grated apples, squeeze out excess juice to avoid a soggy cake. The apples provide natural sweetness and moisture, making the cake soft and flavorful.
Add Toppings (Optional): Sprinkle sliced almonds or walnuts on top for a subtle crunch, or leave it plain for a smooth surface.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be lightly golden and fragrant.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar for a simple finishing touch if desired.

Tips for a Perfect Cake

Choose the Right Apples: Sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith provide a nice balance of flavor and texture. Softer apples may turn mushy, while firmer apples give small pockets of freshness.
Do Not Overmix: Gentle folding preserves air in the batter, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
Adjust Sweetness: If your apples are very sweet, you may reduce sugar slightly. Conversely, tart apples may benefit from a bit more sugar.
Enhance Flavor: A pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even lemon zest can elevate the flavor profile without adding complexity.
Storage: This cake keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, and in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheating slightly before serving revives its softness.

Variations to Try

Apple and Cinnamon Swirl Cake: Before baking, drizzle a mixture of cinnamon and brown sugar over the batter and gently swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
Apple Yogurt Loaf: Bake in a loaf pan for a convenient grab-and-go dessert or breakfast treat.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, adjusting moisture slightly if needed.
Nutty Apple Cake: Fold in chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts for added texture and flavor.
Mini Cakes: Use muffin tins to make individual servings. Reduce baking time to 20–25 minutes.

Why This Cake Is Perfect for Everyday Baking

Unlike rich, heavy desserts, this apple cake is light, fast, and versatile. It doesn’t require creaming butter or multiple bowls of ingredients. The use of oil and yogurt simplifies preparation while enhancing texture. The natural sweetness and moisture from the apples reduce the need for excessive sugar or butter, making it a more wholesome option.

Its adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of occasions. Serve it plain for a simple snack, pair it with tea or coffee for an afternoon treat, or accompany it with a scoop of ice cream for a more indulgent dessert. Families with children will appreciate its soft texture, easy portioning, and subtle sweetness.

Healthier Alternatives

While still a dessert, this cake offers options for a slightly healthier version:

Reduce Sugar: Replace half the sugar with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Use Whole-Grain Flour: Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour for added fiber.
Add Fruit: Enhance moisture and nutrition by adding shredded carrot or pear along with apples.
Lower Fat: Use low-fat yogurt instead of full-fat, though it may slightly affect richness.

The Joy of Homemade Apple Cake

There’s something uniquely comforting about baking a simple apple cake. The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples fills the kitchen, creating a sense of warmth and homeliness. This recipe is designed to be effortless, allowing even novice bakers to achieve a tender, moist cake without stress.

Its versatility ensures that it can be adapted to individual tastes and preferences, whether you prefer it light and plain, studded with nuts, or swirled with cinnamon sugar. More than a dessert, it’s an everyday treat that brings families together, whether as a post-dinner snack, a weekend breakfast, or an afternoon tea companion.

Final Thoughts

The light and fast apple cake made with oil and yogurt is a perfect example of how simplicity can produce extraordinary results. By using readily available ingredients and minimal preparation, you can create a soft, flavorful dessert that delights both children and adults. Its moist crumb, tender texture, and subtle tang make it an ideal choice for everyday baking.

Effortless, adaptable, and consistently delicious, this apple cake proves that you don’t need complicated techniques or heavy ingredients to enjoy a comforting homemade dessert. With a few basic ingredients, a gentle hand, and the warmth of your oven, you can create a cake that is soft, flavorful, and irresistibly inviting—a true everyday treat that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.