Kentucky Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Bourbon Glaze

This old-fashioned Kentucky Apple Cake is packed with fresh apples, cinnamon, and pecans, then topped with a buttery brown sugar bourbon glaze. Moist, homemade, and perfect for fall.

There is just something about apple cake in the fall.

Fresh apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a little Kentucky bourbon...it doesn't get much better than that.

This cake is simple to make, smells amazing while it's baking, and that warm bourbon glaze makes it even better.

And honestly...I think it's even better the next day!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Loaded with fresh apples...keeping every bite moist and delicious.

• Simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

• A little Kentucky bourbon gives the glaze a rich, warm flavor.

• Buttery brown sugar glaze that soaks into the cake.

• Perfect for fall...and even better the next day!

  
  

Helpful Kitchen Tools...just a few kitchen basics

This section contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Bundt pan: Makes a beautiful cake without any decorating.

• Apple peeler: Makes peeling and prepping the apples easier.

• Mixing bowls: Just a couple of kitchen basics for mixing everything together.

• Small saucepan: Perfect for making that buttery bourbon glaze.

  
  

Ingredients

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 55–65 minutes Servings: 12

For the Kentucky Apple Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1½ cups granulated sugar

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 3 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 3 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 3–4 medium apples)

• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

  
  

For the Brown Sugar Bourbon Glaze

• ½ cup butter

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• 1–2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon (I like Woodford Reserve)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

  
  

How to Make Kentucky Apple Cake

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F.

Grease and flour a 10–12 cup Bundt pan really well, making sure to get into all those little grooves.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Set aside.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.

4. Fold in the Apples

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.

The batter will be thick...that's exactly how it should be!

Fold in the chopped apples and pecans.

5. Bake the Cake

Spoon the batter evenly into your prepared Bundt pan.

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Let the cake cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes before carefully turning it onto a serving plate or cooling rack.

6. Make the Brown Sugar Bourbon Glaze

While the cake cools, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt.

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add 1–2 tablespoons of bourbon and simmer for another 1–2 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.

Let the glaze cool for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.

7. Pour on the Bourbon Glaze

While the cake is still a little warm, slowly spoon the brown sugar bourbon glaze over the top.

Let it run down the sides and soak into the cake.

And don't worry if a little pools around the bottom...that's the good stuff!

I like to save a little extra glaze to spoon over individual slices.

Make It Your Own

• Use your favorite apples: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or a combination of both.

• Add more cinnamon: Another ½ teaspoon gives it even more fall flavor.

• Skip the pecans: This cake is just as good without nuts.

• Make it without bourbon: Simply leave out the bourbon for a delicious brown sugar glaze.

• Love extra glaze? Make 1½ batches so you have plenty to drizzle over each slice.

  
  

Storage & Leftovers

Room Temperature: Store covered in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator: Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days. Let slices come to room temperature or warm them slightly before serving.

Freezer: Freeze individual slices without glaze, tightly wrapped, for up to 3 months.

Store any extra glaze in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best apples for Kentucky Apple Cake?

I love Honeycrisp apples because they're sweet and hold their texture while baking. Granny Smith apples are great too if you like a little tartness.

Do I have to peel the apples?

I recommend peeling them. It gives the cake a softer texture without pieces of apple skin.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! I actually think it's better the next day. The apples keep the cake moist, and all those cinnamon flavors have time to come together.

Can I make the bourbon glaze without alcohol?

Yes! Simply leave out the bourbon. You'll still have a delicious buttery brown sugar glaze.

Keep in mind that simmering the bourbon doesn't necessarily remove all the alcohol.

Can I bake this in a different pan?

Yes! You can use a 9×13-inch baking pan instead. Start checking for doneness around 40–45 minutes, since it may bake faster than a Bundt cake.

Complete the Meal

Planning a cozy fall dinner? Here are a few recipes from The Schmidt Table that would be delicious before serving this apple cake.

• Creamy Apple Cider Chicken with Sage: Tender chicken in a creamy apple cider sauce with garlic, shallots, and fresh sage.

• Bourbon Apple Pork Chops with Shallots, Garlic & Sage: Juicy pork chops with caramelized apples and a savory bourbon pan sauce.

• Kentucky Burgoo: A hearty Kentucky favorite that's perfect for cooler weather.

  
  

A Few Final Thoughts

Fresh apples, cinnamon, and a buttery bourbon glaze...this cake just tastes like fall in Kentucky.

Nothing fancy. Just a good homemade apple cake that everyone will want another slice of.

If you make this Kentucky Apple Cake, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by The Schmidt Table. I hope this recipe finds its way to your table soon.