Old-Fashioned Apple Skillet Cake

This old-school apple skillet cake is simple, cozy, and full of the kind of flavor that takes you right back to grandma’s kitchen.

A Delicious Dessert and Then Some

There’s somethin’ about the smell of apples, cinnamon, and butter bubbling away in a skillet that makes a house feel like a home. You’ll love this recipe because it’s pure one-pan magic (just like our One-Pan Chili Mac), so the whole cake bakes right in your skillet, and you won’t be left with a sink full of dishes! I know for a fact I’m not the only one who finds that exciting.

It’s also incredibly flexible when it comes to the type of apples you use. Sweet honeycrisps, tart Granny Smiths, green apples, or just whatever’s rolling around in your fruit bowl; they’ll all work beautifully here!

Let me tell you, there’s no moment better than when you flip it out of the cast-iron skillet: the top of the cake greets you with a layer of juicy apples, the crisp edge glistens, and the whole thing smells like fall wrapped in a golden brown blanket.

Oh, you’re in for a good time!

Ingredients for making apple skillet cake

Basic Ingredients You’ll Need

Margarine (additional melted margarine)
Cinnamon
Self-rising flour
Evaporated milk
Sugar
Peeled apple slices
Egg (well beaten)
Water
Pecans

Tips for Making the Best Apple Skillet Cake

Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
Don’t rush the apples! Giving them a few minutes to caramelize builds flavor.
Try different nuts or skip them entirely if you prefer.
Cast iron is best, but any heavy-bottomed, oven-safe skillet will work.
Using cooking spray during prep helps a TON when it comes time to take the cake out of the skillet.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Caramelize the Apples

Place your cast-iron skillet over medium heat and melt 1/3 cup of margarine. Stir in 2/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until the sugar dissolves into a glossy sauce.

Add the apple slices in an even layer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, just until they start to soften. Sprinkle pecans on top.

Pecans sprinkled on top of apple slices in a skillet

2. Make the Apple Cake Batter

In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup self-rising flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon.

Cinnamon, sugar, and flour in a mixing bowl

Medium bowl of self-rising flour, sugar, and cinnamon

In another small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons melted margarine, 1 beaten egg, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, and 1/3 cup water. Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined—don’t overmix! You’re looking for a thick but pourable batter.

Cup of meled margarine, beaten egg, and evaporated milk

3. Bake on the Stovetop

Spoon the batter over the hot apple mixture, smoothing it to the edges of the pan. Cover and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the top is firm and a toothpick comes out clean.

4. Flip and Serve

Run a knife around the sides of the pan to loosen. Place a large plate over the skillet, carefully flip, and lift the pan to reveal your glossy apple topping.

Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Apple skillet cake served with ice cream

And that’s it! How can such a simple cake be so beautiful???

Storage

This cake is best enjoyed fresh, but you can wrap leftovers tightly and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days. Warm slices in the microwave for that fresh-from-the-skillet taste!

What Can I Do With My Extra Apples?

Got a few extra apples left over after making this skillet cake? Don’t let ‘em go to waste! There are plenty of tasty ways to put those apples to good use. Just check out these recipes:

If you want to save them for next time, we also have tips on the best way to go about freezing apples!