Grandma’s Easy Apple Cake with 2 Eggs – Moist 5-Minute Cake
This Grandma’s Easy Apple Cake with 2 Eggs is the perfect homemade dessert when you want something soft, moist, and delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
The batter takes only about 5 minutes to prepare. Simply mix the ingredients together, add fresh apples, and let the oven do the rest. There’s no complicated technique or special baking equipment required.
Made with yogurt, vegetable oil, fresh lemon zest, and lemon juice, the cake has a wonderfully tender and moist crumb with a subtle citrus freshness. Juicy apples add natural fruity sweetness, while a little sugar on top helps create a delicious finish.
Once baked, a drizzle of caramel sauce pairs beautifully with the apples and turns this simple Grandma-style cake into an irresistible homemade dessert.
Serve it with coffee or tea, enjoy it as an afternoon snack, or make it whenever you have a couple of apples and want a quick family cake.
Ingredients
For the Apple Cake
- 2 eggs
- A pinch of salt
- 120 g sugar (⅔ cup)
- A little vanilla
- 80 ml vegetable oil (⅓ cup)
- 150 g plain yogurt (⅔ cup)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 300 g plain flour (2⅓ cups)
- 12 g baking powder
- 2 apples
For the Topping
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Caramel sauce, as needed
How to Make Grandma’s Apple Cake with 2 Eggs
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
Prepare a 27 × 18 cm (10 × 7 inch) baking dish by lightly greasing it or lining it with baking paper.
Set the prepared baking dish aside while you make the batter.
2. Beat the Eggs and Sugar
Crack 2 eggs into a large mixing bowl.
Add a pinch of salt, 120 g (⅔ cup) sugar, and a little vanilla.
Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth, well combined, and slightly lighter in color.
There’s no need for complicated mixing—the goal is simply to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Add the Oil and Yogurt
Pour in 80 ml (⅓ cup) vegetable oil and add 150 g (⅔ cup) plain yogurt.
Whisk until everything is evenly incorporated and the mixture becomes smooth.
The combination of yogurt and oil helps give the finished cake its wonderfully soft and moist texture.
4. Add the Lemon
Finely grate the zest of one lemon into the mixture.
Then squeeze in the juice of one lemon.
Stir until the lemon zest and juice are evenly incorporated.
For the best flavor, grate only the yellow outer layer of the lemon peel and avoid the bitter white pith underneath.
5. Add the Flour and Baking Powder
Add 300 g (2⅓ cups) plain flour and 12 g baking powder.
Gently mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated and a smooth cake batter forms.
Avoid overmixing once the flour has been added. Mix only until there are no visible streaks of dry flour.
6. Prepare the Apples
Wash and prepare 2 apples.
Peel them if desired, remove the cores, and cut the apples into slices or small pieces.
Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they soften evenly while baking.
7. Assemble the Apple Cake
Pour the prepared cake batter into the 27 × 18 cm (10 × 7 inch) baking dish.
Spread the batter evenly with a spatula.
Arrange the prepared apple pieces evenly over the surface of the batter.
Gently press them slightly into the batter while leaving some of the fruit visible on top.
8. Sprinkle with Sugar
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar evenly over the apples and surface of the cake.
The sugar adds a little extra sweetness and helps create a lightly caramelized finish as the cake bakes.
9. Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake at 180°C (356°F) for approximately 40–45 minutes, or until the cake has risen, the surface is lightly golden, and the center is fully baked.
To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or wooden skewer into a cake portion away from an apple piece.
It should come out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.
Since ovens can vary, begin checking the cake around the 40-minute mark.
10. Add the Caramel Sauce
Remove the baked apple cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake as desired.
The rich caramel flavor pairs especially well with the fresh apples and subtle lemon flavor.
11. Slice and Serve
Cut the cake into squares or rectangular slices.
Serve slightly warm for an especially soft and comforting dessert, or allow it to cool completely before serving.
Tips for the Best Apple Cake
Choose firm apples: Apples that hold their shape during baking provide a pleasant fruity texture throughout the cake.
Cut the apples evenly: Similar-sized pieces will soften at roughly the same rate.
Use fresh lemon: Freshly grated zest and freshly squeezed juice provide the brightest citrus flavor.
Don’t overmix: Once the flour has been added, mix only until the batter comes together. Overmixing can result in a denser cake.
Check away from the apples: When testing the cake with a toothpick, choose an area without an apple piece to get a more accurate result.
Add caramel after baking: Drizzling the caramel sauce over the baked cake keeps its rich flavor noticeable and gives the finished dessert an attractive presentation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe proves that you don’t need lots of eggs or complicated baking techniques to make a delicious homemade apple cake.
Using only 2 eggs, the simple batter takes approximately 5 minutes to prepare. Yogurt and vegetable oil help keep the crumb tender and moist, while lemon zest and juice add freshness that complements the apples beautifully.
The fresh apples provide fruity sweetness and texture, and the final drizzle of caramel sauce makes every slice feel a little more indulgent.
It’s a simple cake that works equally well for everyday family baking or serving to guests.
Serving Suggestions
This apple cake is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:
- Freshly brewed coffee
- Black or herbal tea
- A cold glass of milk
- A spoonful of plain or Greek yogurt
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Extra caramel sauce
For a comforting dessert, serve the cake slightly warm with a little extra caramel sauce on top.
How to Store Apple Cake
Allow the cake to cool completely before storing.
Keep leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature for approximately 1–2 days.
Because the cake contains fresh apples, refrigerate it if you want to keep it longer.
Allow refrigerated slices to come closer to room temperature before serving, or gently warm an individual slice if you prefer a softer texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really make this apple cake with only 2 eggs?
Yes. This recipe uses just 2 eggs, along with yogurt and vegetable oil, to create a soft and moist cake.
Does the cake really take 5 minutes?
The 5 minutes refers to the approximate batter preparation time. The cake still needs to bake at 180°C (356°F) for 40–45 minutes.
Do I need to peel the apples?
No. Peeling is optional. You can leave the skins on if you prefer, provided the apples are washed thoroughly.
What does yogurt do in this cake?
Yogurt adds moisture and contributes to the cake’s soft, tender texture.
Why is lemon added to an apple cake?
Fresh lemon zest and juice add brightness and a subtle citrus flavor that complements the sweetness of the apples.
When should I add the caramel sauce?
For this recipe, drizzle the caramel sauce over the cake after baking and allowing it to cool slightly.
How do I know when the cake is ready?
The surface should be lightly golden and the center should be set. Insert a toothpick into a cake section away from the apples. It should come out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
Final Thoughts
This Grandma’s Easy Apple Cake with 2 Eggs is a simple and comforting homemade dessert that combines a soft, moist cake with fresh apples, a hint of lemon, and delicious caramel sauce.
With only about 5 minutes of preparation, everyday ingredients, and no complicated techniques, it’s an excellent recipe for busy days or spontaneous baking.
Bake it at 180°C (356°F) for 40–45 minutes, finish it with caramel sauce, and enjoy a soft and fruity slice with your favorite coffee or tea.