Armenian Apple Chunk cake is full of diced apples and cinnamon and only requires one bowl, one whisk and no temperamental ingredients. It will be on your table tempting you in less than an hour.
Full of diced apples and cinnamon, this Armenian Apple Chunk cake is so incredibly simple to make you’ll find yourself making it ALL the time! One bowl, one whisk and no temperamental ingredients it will be on your table tempting you in less than an hour.
This cake also happens to be my favorite cake of all time. I know what you are thinking, favorite of ALL-TIME? That must be the most amazing, rich, over the top cake every. Nope. It is the authentically rustic and amazing Armenian Apple Chunk Cake my grandmother used to make for me.
I can still picture her now, the way she used to dice the apples while holding them in her hand (so unsafe, please don’t do that) and how I used to wait with anticipation for when the cake would come out of the oven. The whole house would smell like the most amazing flavors of the Fall and within a day the whole cake would be gone. I wish this post there could be smello-vision because if you could smell the apples and cinnamon or even just feel the texture and crumb of the cake you’d be sold in a heartbeat.
You’ve seen me post crumb cakes and coffee cakes on the blog before but this recipe is the grand daddy of all my breakfast cakes. This is the one I make when I want to invite people into my world and my heart. This cake is my childhood just even looking above at the picture is making me smile ear to ear thinking of my grandmother. This recipe is like sharing a piece of my heart with you guys.
Add the flour to the apples and toss. Mix the oil, eggs and vanilla together and add to the apples (I do this in one large measuring cup after adding the oil so I don’t dirty and additional bowl). If you want to add in the walnuts you can do so here and give it one final mix. 
Bake in a springform pan or a 9×9 baking pan (love this one because of the lid it comes with for keeping baked goods fresh) for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
Ingredients
- 3 gala apples (not peeled), diced into ¼ inch cubes
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup walnuts , chopped (optional, I don't add them)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl.
- As you are dicing the apples, toss them in the bowl with the cinnamon and sugar to coat them and prevent browning.
- Add the flour and baking soda to the apples and toss.
- Mix the oil, eggs and vanilla together and add to the apples (I do this in one large measuring cup after adding the oil so I don't dirty and additional bowl).
- If you want to add in the walnuts you can do so here and give it one final mix.
- Bake in a springform pan or a 9x9 baking pan for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe? Create a free account to easily save your favorite recipes
Thank you so much for posting this!
My house smells wonderful! I made the cake as directed, using ‘ Pink Lady’ apples…and I used 2 cups ‘gluten free’ flour, instead of all-purpose flour. It turned out perfect! I used a 9×9 baking pan. Ovens vary, but mine was done at 45 min. While hot, I cut out a small piece, (I couldn’t resist). I loved the gentle crunch, along with the softness of it’s cake-like texture.
I am going to make the homemade caramel sauce recipe, to pour over each piece. Thank you for this awesome, easy recipe.
My house smells wonderful! I made the cake as directed, except that I used 2 cups gluten free flour, instead of all-purpose flour. It turned out perfect! I used a 9×9 baking pan. Ovens vary, but mine was done at 45 min. While hot, I cut out a small piece, (I couldn’t resist). I loved the gentle crunch, along with the softness of it’s cake-like texture.
I am going to make the homemade caramel sauce recipe, to pour over each piece. Thank you for this awesome, easy recipe.
So refreshing to make an apple cake in such a different way!
In case anyone may be interested, I used Honey Crisp apples (two and a half came to 5 cups) olive oil, half the sugar, baking powder not soda (because it irritates digestive system) and almond extract instead of vanilla essence. I also beat the eggs and the oil for about 3 minutes to counter the absence of baking soda. I scattered a few flaked almonds on top and about a tablespoon of sugar for that lovely crust. In a 9 x 9 baking tin, it took almost an hour.
It’s delicious and I will make it over and over. Thank you to you and your grandmum, Sabrina!
Sabrina? Did you receive my email asking whether I can substitute olive oil and use baking powder rather than baking soda?
No baking powder is not a good substitute but the olive oil would work just fine.
Just found this today and will make tomorrow but have a couple of questions please! I always buy Honey Crisp apples and I prefer to use olive oil. Will they work? And I would like to add walnuts but you don’t say if they should be chopped. Thank you Sabrina!
Definitely chop the walnuts, honey crisp should work great as well as the olive oil 🙂
Awesome so moist and easy to make!!
Love, love this recipe. It’s easy to make. The texture is perfect, just feels great to chew. I sprinkled sugar on top before baking and got a nice crust crunch. Also toasted the walnuts first. The cake is sturdy enough for nicely sized apple and nut chunks.It’s an excellent recipe. Thank you!!!
I cup of sugar makes it ‘way too sweet for me. My only consolation is I used a half cup of sugar and a half cup of erithritol. I will fry it again, and cut the sweet by half. Cut the cinnamon a bit, as well.
I love this recipe, so simple and so forgiving! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Claudia.
Can I make this with flax eggs?
I’ve not tested this recipe using them so I’m not sure.
I’ve made this cake several times and we just LOVE it! Its even better with the addition of 1/2 tsp of freshly grated nutmeg, and we prefer it with the walnuts.
So glad you love it! It’s near and dear to me, always happy to hear it’s that way for others too.
I’ve made this a couple of times, and due to pre-diabetes, I made some changes. I used almond flour and stevia. I used a bit less stevia because the sweetness is pronounced. Seems to work just fine.
Thanks for letting me know. So glad you enjoyed it.
Do you grease and flour pan or just grease it? Use parchment in bottom? Could I use a little less sugar, say 3/4 cup? It sounds very sweet, or is it?
You’ll want to grease and flour the pan. If you decide to use less sugar, it will change the flavor but I don’t think it’s too sweet. Try it and let me know!
I just made this and it was very easy and turned out excellent. I let it cool for 10 minutes then cut it and served it with ice cream on top.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Actually, we enjoyed it so much, I made it again a couple of days later. Oh, and I used pecans instead of walnuts (it’s a southern thing).
That’s so awesome!
Barev Sabrina, is it all purpose or self raising flour you are using here? thanks 🙂
All purpose.
PS Pls advise how many CUPS of diced apples needed since i imagine the size of gala or any apple might vary…
You’ll want to use about 5 cups of apples for this recipe.
i bet this is amazing. at the moment tho im looking for a dessert that screams chunks of apple much like apple pie would. we have other recipes for apple cakes which are also good but the apples lose so much texture you really only get the apple flavor. when its done can you tell the difference in the texture when you bite into the apple or is it a more uniform texture overall? THX!
I think this cake has exactly what you’re looking for! The apples keep their texture 🙂
I added the sugar in with the flour, but note that it is not said when to add it in the actual written instructions. It’s in the oven now – and I’m excited to taste it!
I’m hoping you enjoyed it! Just to clarify though, the sugar should have been combined with the cinnamon and used to coat the apples (step 2 and 3). Hope this clears up any confusion. 🙂
Just stopped by to let you know that baking soda and salt were listed in the Ingredients but were left out of the Instructions. I made the cake without them as a result. Bummer. Yet edible.
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry about that. I’ve updated the recipe but wish there was some way to make it up to you.
Parev 🙂
I just wanted to know if you’re calling this Armenian coz your grandmother used to make it (I’m assuming she was Armenian) or coz it’s actually Armenian?
Because I like to collect Armenian recipes, specially desserts.
I just made this. I used red and green apples, added some orange rind, walnuts and cranberries.
Let’s see how it’s going to turn out.
Yes and no. Yes she was Armenian so that helped but even her friends would make it and bring it over. So I’ve got to think if a whole group of Armenian grandmas are on the same page there has to be something to it! 🙂 I’m considering making Simit cookies for the blog too, the salty ones that look like a twisted ribbon? I loved those as a kid!
Armenian it is then. It was really easy to make and turned out so good, light and full of flavours.
Simit are pretty easy to make too.
Please do share other Armenian recipes as well, I can suggest a few too 🙂
Lovely blog by the way
I do plan to post more Armenian recipes in the future. I would love for you to share any good Armenian recipes you can send me the link for to my email: sabrina @ dinnerthendessert.com
I would love to recreate this one for a fall party I’m having. It looks so delicious!
Aww thanks Krystal!
I love anything with apples and this looks simply perfect.
Thanks Krista!
I love apple everything. I am excited to try this recipe. I will have to get the ingredients tonight.
I hope you love it!
This recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I am sure it will be a huge hit with my family.
Oh wow, the apple chunk cake looks amazing. I can’t wait to try this.
Hope you love it!
Oh man, that sounds really good right now. The smell of this baking would be amazing!
Thanks Liz!
Wow, that apple chunk cake looks amazing. That would be such a fun treat to indulge in. And it’s even better when our favorite recipes have such great family memories attached to them. Like a grandma making something delicious for the family! What a special treat!
Yes, this cake has a special place in my heart. It is so simple and rustic, but it is the first cake I would ever ask for if someone offered to make me something.
I love cakes that can be stirred up in one bowl. Thank you for sharing this delicious cake!
Thanks Kristen!
This looks delicious. Look how many apples are in it. I definitely have to try out this recipe.
Hope you love it Stacie!
I love anything made with apples, sl this looks like a winner. I cannot wait to give it a try.
Hope you love it!
Gala apples are my favorite. I am definitely trying this cake.
Hope you love it!
That looks really fantastic! Bet it makes the house smell incredible while it is cooking. I know two little dogs that would be sitting int he kitchen once all of those ingredients started eating up! I have a pot luck this weekend and wasn’t sure what I was going to bring it might have to be this so that I can have some without eating the entire thing.
Wonderful! Hope everyone loves it!
Oh this is just what Fall needs! Lots of apples from the orchard I can make it with too!
Oh that sounds amazing!
Wow, that looks pretty amazing. I love apples so anything with apples i’m all for! This would be delicious I think!
Thanks Jeanine!
This sounds so good and looks delicious! Now tis the time to be whipping up yummy apple treats too!
Thanks Amy!
Yum! Apples and cinnamon are the perfect combination for fall! I love how soft and fluffy the cake looks too!
Thanks!
This cake looks incredible! We’re going apple picking this weekend so I’ll have to make this with some of our apples!
Oh man fresh picked apples sound so amazing!
This recipe came just in time. I’ve had apple sweets on my mind lately and this is just what I need.
Perfect for fall! I hope you love it!
How delicious does this look? Wow…I’ve just picked apples locally and think I have found the perfect recipe. Love that it is simple too.
Yes! So simple!
I think this is one that my hubby would love. I looks really tasty and I have some time today I might make this for our date night we have tonight.
Aww how sweet!
Ohhhh. That looks amazing. I love anything with apple in it, and I love cake. So, you know… Time to stuff myself!
This looks so good and just in time for fall, perfect!
Thanks Florian!
This looks so good and just in time for fall!
Yup!
We went apple picking 2 weeks ago and still have about 49,999 apples. This sounds like a great way to use them up.
Yup! We have a giant bushel too!