Traeger Apple Cake Recipe

Apple cake is one of those desserts that I'll make all year long. Typically we think of apple cake as a fall dessert, but when you have a Traeger or other brand of pellet grill you can really keep baking all year long. 

This is the perfect cake for a Sunday morning. It is great for a dessert too. Make sure to warm it before you serve it though! That's when it REALLY shines.  

If you don't have a Traeger, then any pellet grill will do the trick. Pellet grills make it easy to get a good even temp which is ideal for baking. When you cook at higher temperatures the smoke is really a non-factor. There is a touch of it, but it really works here. Remember this is how your grandma's grandma's grandma used to bake the cakes everyone loved back in the day. 

This recipe is the same cake recipe as my apple streusel coffee cake recipe, but done on the Traeger. I have said before that I try to find new and novel ways to use my Traeger smoker, and if a smoked streusel coffee cake doesn't qualify then I don't know what does.

Why You'll Love This Dish

• Perfect Breakfast Cake - Sweet, tender, and made for coffee.
• Pellet Grill Bonus Flavor - Light wood-fired note pairs great with apples.
• Easy Streusel Top - Crumb topping makes it feel bakery-level.
• Great Make-Ahead - Slices well and reheats like a champ.
• Crowd-Friendly Pan Bake - One 9x13 feeds a bunch without fuss.

Recipe Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Canola Oil - Keeps the cake moist and tender; vegetable oil works the same way.
• Brown Sugar - Adds caramel flavor and extra moisture; dark brown sugar gives a deeper taste.
• Egg - Helps the batter hold together and bake up with a nice crumb.
• Sour Cream - Rich texture and a tender bite; plain Greek yogurt is a solid swap.
• Baking Soda - Helps the cake rise and works with the sour cream for lift.
• Baking Powder - Adds extra lift so the cake isn't dense.
• Vanilla - Rounds out the sweetness and makes it taste more "bakery."
• Flour - Structure for the cake; spoon and level for consistent results.
• Apples - The star; Granny Smith gives tart balance, Honeycrisp is sweet and juicy, and a mix is even better.
• Butter (For Streusel) - Makes the crumb topping rich and crisp; soften slightly so it crumbles easily.
• Brown Sugar (For Streusel) - Sweetens the crumb and adds that caramel crunch.
• Flour (For Streusel) - Gives the topping structure so it bakes into crumbs, not a paste.
• Oats - Adds texture and a little chew; quick oats work too.
• Cinnamon - Warm spice for the streusel; start small and add more if you like it bold.
• Powdered Sugar (For Glaze) - Smooth sweetness that drizzles clean.
• Apple Cinnamon Blend (Optional) - Adds extra fall-style spice; swap in a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg if needed.
• Milk (For Glaze) - Thins the glaze to a drizzle; use more for thinner, less for thicker.

Check out all of my Traeger Recipes!

How To Make This Recipe

This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Preheat And Prep: Preheat pellet grill (or oven) to 325°F. Grease a 9x13 pan.
2. Mix Cake Batter: Beat oil, brown sugar, egg, sour cream, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, and flour until combined. Fold in diced apples.
3. Add To Pan: Spread batter evenly in the pan.
4. Make Streusel And Top: Mix streusel ingredients by hand until crumbly and sprinkle evenly over the batter.
5. Bake And Cool: Bake 35-45 minutes until a tester comes out with moist crumbs. Cool 10 minutes, then drizzle glaze if using and serve warm.

Get all of my Easy Dessert Recipes here!

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Sweet Breakfast Recipes

• Blackstone French Toast
• Caramel Rolls
• Raspberry Pancakes

More Apple Recipes

You know when you get it in that bake something sweet mode, but your house is already hot so firing up the oven isn't an option? Or maybe it is a holiday 

• Traeger Apple Crisp
• Marble Pound Cake
• Toasted Coconut Cake Recipe
• Hot Fudge Brownie Cake

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