This delicious Apple Cake made in the Instant Pot is loaded with fresh apples coated with cinnamon and sugar. As I like to call it, it's a whole lotta apples cooked between cake batter. It's perfectly sweetened and you can use a mix of apples for this delicious cake.
Oct 15th is my second blog anniversary.. Yay!! I have enjoyed the second year of blogging, from going to a self-published blog, to sharing printable recipes and nutritional information for each recipe. Ministry of Curry now has a youtube channel with short and to-the-point videos for the recipes, we are on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram!
Oh and the biggest thing we did over the last year is to publish recipes for smart Instant Pot pressure cooker that I have fallen in love with! With 110+ international recipes and short videos for each recipe to give you an idea of how the Instant Pot works.
Cooking for us has definitely gone up to the next level, with healthy and delicious foods cooked faster and with the same authentic taste. More importantly, my boys have started to cook using the Instant Pot which makes me so happy and satisfied. We have used our Instant Pot to make soups, rice, lentils & beans, pasta, curries, and desserts! And so proud to have showcased the summer berry cake at the Dr.Oz show!!
So here is a big shout out to family, friends, and followers for your love and support. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you! Thank you!!
To celebrate the second blog anniversary, here is a delicious apple cake Instant Pot recipe. This cake is a combination of the apple cake that was adapted from smitten kitchen and my summer berry cake. Since I am using a 7" push pan in the Instant Pot, the original oven recipe is halved and also modified to work for the Instant Pot.
Instructions
Here is how to make the best apple cake in the Instant Pot
Prep:
Grease and flour a 7” cake pan. Peel, core, and chop apples into small pieces. Toss with cinnamon and 2 tablespoon sugar and set aside. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert.
Make the cake batter:
- In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt together and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Mix wet ingredients into dry ones; scrape down the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated. This batter will be thicker than the usual cake batter
Layer the apples and cake batter:
Start by adding half of the cake batter to the greased pan. Then layer over half of the apples. Spread the remaining batter on top and then top with the rest of the apples (Photos 1 - 4).
Pressure Cook:
Cover the cake pan with a paper towel and then place an aluminum foil over it. Use the foil to grip the paper and secure it on the edges of the cake pan. This helps any excess moisture from getting into the cake during the pressure cooking cycle or when opening the Instant Pot. Place the cake pan on the trivet and place the trivet in the Instant Pot. Close the lid and pressure cook for 60 mins.
Cool down and remove from the pan:
After the pressure cooking cycle is completed, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Carefully take out the cake pan and the trivet and allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife on the sides of the cake between the edges and the pan to loosen the cake. Then place the pan on a cup and gently push the sides of the cake pan down for the cake to release on the bottom plate of the push pan.
Enjoy as a dessert with a glass of your favorite wine or a cup of coffee.
This apple cake tastes even better the next day, which makes it a perfect make-ahead recipe. I usually make this cake at night so I have the cake ready to enjoy in the morning to enjoy with a cup of adrakwali chai.
More Instant Pot Cakes
Did you enjoy this dense, pudding-like cake in the Instant Pot? Here are some more Instant Pot cake, bread, and bread pudding recipes to try:
- Summer berry cake
- Banana Bread
- Zucchini Bread
- Boxed Cakes in Instant Pot
- Mixed Berry Bread Pudding
- French Toast Bread Pudding
- Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Want to try this recipe in the oven instead of Instant Pot? Depending on the size of the cake pan you use the bake time will vary. If you are using a similar 7-inch cake pan in this recipe, you can bake the apple cake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 mins or until a wooden skewer comes out clean. You may need more or less time depending on the size of your cake pan and also depending on your oven.
Recipe
Instant Pot Apple Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups peeled and diced apples any variety
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1½ cups all purpose flour + 1 tablespoon for dusting the pan
- ½ tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice or apple cider
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs room temperature
Instructions
- Grease and flour a 7” cake pan.
- Peel, core, and chop apples into small pieces. Toss with cinnamon and 2 tablespoon sugar and set aside.
- In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt together and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Mix wet ingredients into dry ones; scrape down the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated. This batter is thicker than the usual cake batter.
- Pour half of batter in the cake pan. Since the batter is thick allow it to spread evenly by gently tapping the cake pan on the sides. Spread half of the apples on top of the batter. Slowly pour the remaining batter covering most of the apple pieces. Spread the remaining half apples and any juices on top.
- Cover the cake pan with a paper towel and then cover it tightly with aluminum foil. You can skip the aluminum foil by securing a paper towel with a rubber band around the pan.
- Add 1 cup water to Instant Pot. Place the cake pan on the trivet and carefully place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Pressure cook for 60 minutes and allow Natural Pressure release.
- Carefully take the trivet out and remove the aluminum foil and paper towel. Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes.
- Run a knife on the sides of the cake between the edges and the pan to loosen the cake. Then place the pan on a cup and gently push the sides of the cake pan down for the cake to release on the bottom plate of the push pan.
Notes
Nutrition
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Hans Susser says
Yummy 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Hans!
chefkreso says
There are so many recipes for desserts and main dishes using apples, love to find a new and fresh idea of making something like this!
Archana says
Thank you for your kind words! We make this cake a lot in the fall and winter. It makes a good holiday treat to share with family, friends and neighbors.
jane says
what if i have a 6 inch pan...will it work? i have the instant pot mini...
Archana says
Hi Jane, yes it will work. Just add extra 5 mins of pressure cook time. You will love this delicious cake!
My Real Dish says
Delicious! Love the presentation!
Archana says
Thank you!
Hilda says
I just received one of these pots as a gift and am still getting used to it. I hope once I learn to use it properly I will appreciate it as much as you do. Thanks for sharing a recipe I can actually use with it. It looks delicious.
Archana says
Congrats! You will LOVE the new cooking experience. I have a bunch of recipes for you to try!
Carol says
We’ve just had a slice with some custard! A lovely moist cake and the first one I’ve made in the IP.
I’ve been loving your recipes!
Archana says
Hi Carol! I am so happy that you tried and loved this cake. I have been making it in the oven but this fall I have only made it in IP! Thank you for letting me know that you are enjoying my recipes.
Jane says
It worked! I made it and it tasted solo good. I used coconut sugar.
Archana says
Awesome! How much coconut sugar did you put?
jane says
i put the same amount as your recipe
Archana says
good to know! Thank you!
Shazmah Hussein says
Hi! This looks wonderful! What type of flour did you use? I only have whole wheat...will it work?
Archana says
Hi Shazam, it’s all purpose flour or maida. Whole wheat won’t get the texture that good. I would recommend trying with maida
Kerry says
hi there! will any kind of gluten-free flour substitute work? i want to make this for friends who are GF. How would you alter it, if so?
Archana says
Hi Kerry, I am afraid I have not tried this recipe with gluten free flour.
lisa says
I am going to try this! Do you think a bundt pan would work?
Archana says
Yes bundt pan will work. Grease it well and start with apples then batter and repeat. This way when you take it out the apples will be on top. Also I think 40-45 mins of cook time should be enough for a bundt pan.
Lisa says
Thanks so much for your quick reply! I️ am looking forward to trying this out!
Archana says
You are welcome. Let me know how it comes out for you!
Lynn says
I’m also going to bake this in a 7” bundt pan but because it’s a higher pan depth, won’t it need additional time instead of less? I’m a bit confused on the timing required to have the cake be throughly baked through.
Archana says
With bundt pan you can cook for same or lesser time since its spread the sides.
Iswari says
I have actually always made the smitten kitchen apple cake with apple cider. It tastes so much better!
Archana says
Thank you! I love how moist and pudding like it comes out in the Instant Pot
Lee says
Good morning! The apple cake was my first baking attempt in the Instant Pot.. I had to substitute hard cider as there was no juice in the house. The only problem I encountered: the entire cup of water steamed away and the cake was not done. I added another cup and gave it another 20 minutes, again the water was gone but the cake was done to perfection. Next time I will start off with 2 cups of water and see where that takes me. I may also add walnut pieces to the apples. The cake was wonderful, not too sweet, Nice contrast between the cake and the apples. This is going to become a habit! Thank you!
Archana says
Hi Lee! Thank you so much for your detailed message. I am happy that you enjoyed the flavors of this apple cake. I am wondering if there might be steam escaping from your IP. Make sure that your sealing ring is all the way in from all the sides. I have baked this cake many times and I never had the water evaporate. Although, I agree just adding extra water next time does not hurt. Was your batter thicker than usual cake batter? I am trying to figure out why it needed additional cook time. Is it just the water in the inner pot or may be the consistency of the batter. Happy to hear that you are going to make this again. Thank you!!
LaRae says
Have you ever frozen this cake? I wonder how it would turn out if frozen after cooking.
Archana says
Hi! I have not frozen this cake only because we never have any leftovers. It tastes amazing the second and third day! But If you freeze it on the day you cook, I think it will freeze fine.
Khoji says
Great recipe. An additional twist: If you’re not a total fan of the rather dumpling-like consistency you get from the Instant Pot on its own, just pop it out of the baking form when it‘s ready and put it in the oven for 20 minutes at 225C for a post-bake. Provided the perfect finishing touch for me.
Archana says
Hi! Thank you for the lovely feedback and your tip on finishing touches!
Bindu says
Hi Archana, I am trying ur recipes once I bought my ip very tasty. Thank you for the easy and tasty recipes. Tomorrow is my daughter birthday I want to try this. Can I make it today keep it in refrigerator will it be good?
Archana says
Hi Bindu! Congrats on your IP and happy Birthday to your daughter. Yes you can make ahead. It tastes better next day!
Jancy Varela says
Hi, Archana, I have mini molds, would I be able to cook this cake in there in several batches? I also have almond flour, would that be okay to use?
Archana says
Hi Jancy, I am sure you can do both. I have not tried with mini molds or almond flour so I am not sure if the timing and taste.
Dave says
Instruction #9: To cool it on a wire rack do you first remove it from the cake pan? Thanks.
Archana says
Cool it in the cake pan.
Keiko says
THank you! I made it today it's so amazingly delicious! Do I need to refrigerate this? I made it at night and plan to give it to the kid d for breakfast.
Archana says
I do not refrigerate.
DB says
Hi! The cake looks lovely and I like the fact that its a small batch. Can this be backed in an oven? If so at what temp and for how long? I plan to use my 6" cake pan.
Archana says
Hi! I would cook on 350 degrees in the oven for 45 - 50 minutes. Check after 30 minutes.
Brent says
Made your cake in the IP. Hated the consistency. Trying it in the oven at 350 in a 6x3 pan. It has been in there over an hour and it still isn't coming out dry on the toothpick test. Just FYI.
Archana says
I am so sorry to hear. I have to agree that cakes are a bit tricky in the Instant pot
m says
can I cook this directly in instant pot? I don't have the 7"cake pan, any other solutions? thanks
Archana says
Hi, I am sorry but you cannot cook directly in the Instant Pot. It will not come to pressure at all. You can try using a glass pyrex bowl and add extra 5 to 10 mins of cooking time.
Elizabeth McKee says
Can you substitute applesauce for the oil in the recipe? I do this for some recipes that I back in the oven but not sure about instant pot. thank you
Archana says
I agree I have tried that in the oven, but not sure about the Instant Pot.
Stephanie Fisher says
Trying that as we speak... Will let you know how it works out
Stephanie Fisher says
So yes, it seems to work. We just had this for brunch with applesauce in place of the oil. I also used coconut sugar and a little less than called for, but it was still just sweet enough for our household. Depending on the applesauce it may make the finished product appear darker in color, but the texture was typical instant pot "cake".
On a side note, I wonder if the cook time could be shorter, 60 minutes seems really long.