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Vegetarian
Moist and Easy Apple Cake with Sunflower Seeds
Simple and easy to bake, this moist and easy apple cake is a delicious and satisfying treat. Enjoy a warm slice with tea or coffee!

I love going apple picking. It’s something we all do as a family together and has just become a fall tradition. My favorite fall tradition. I love apple picking so much because I end up making delicious apple treats at home!
This apple cream cheese cake is amazing. It will get everyone who’s tried it asking for the recipe. This moist cake is made of delicious, juicy apple slices that sit between layers of delicious cake batter. The soft cake batter is made from cream cheese and butter.
Before popping this cake into the oven, I like sprinkling it with some of my favorite goodies! I’ve really enjoyed the taste and texture of sunflower seeds baked right on top!
I also like to add some brown sugar on top for a caramelized flavor. You could add, subtract, or substitute as you wish. A sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of caramel would taste great!
Next time you’ve got some extra apples on hand do try and make this apple cream cheese cake! It will become one of your favorite apple recipes!
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients

- Cream cheese– softened at room temperature
- Butter– unsalted
- Eggs– large size eggs
- Apples– any type you like
- All purpose flour– unbleached
- Sugar– fine
- Baking powder
- Vanilla– for a hint of flavor
- Sunflower seeds– not roasted
- Brown sugar
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to make Apple Cake with Sunflower Seeds:
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Step 2: Begin the batter
In a stand mixer on low speed, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and blended.

Step 3: Add the sugar
Add sugar to the mixer and beat together for 1 more minute.

Step 4: Beat the eggs in
Add in eggs, one at a time, beating between each one.

Step 5: Create the batter
To the mixer add baking powder, vanilla, and flour. Combine.

Step 6: Prep the pan
Line the bottom of a tart or cake pan with parchment paper and spray the sides with cooking spray.
Step 7: Batter into the pan
Layout half of the batter into the pan and sprinkle with the diced apples.

Step 8: Add the rest of the batter
Cover the diced apples with the rest of the batter.
Step 9: Toppings
Sprinkle the top of the batter with sunflower seeds and brown sugar.

Step 10: Bake
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the inserted toothpick comes out clean. Take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.

Step 11: Sift powdered sugar
Sift some powdered sugar on top and enjoy a piece of an apple cream cheese cake!
Expert Tips
- Use apples suitable for baking such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala apples. They hold their shape and offer a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
- Properly line the baking pan with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking. This will also help with easy removal.
- Over mixing can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined after adding the dry ingredients.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can freeze slices of this homemade apple cake for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving, then heat in the microwave.
Sifting powdered sugar on top is for decoration and sweetness. It’s optional but adds a nice finishing touch.
Absolutely, the sunflower seeds are for added crunch and flavor, but the cake will still be delicious without them.

I love enjoying apples in these recipes, too:
You can make a quick Homemade Apple Cider right at home for the holidays!An Apple Banana Smoothie with Cinnamon doesn’t need cold weather to bring the fall tastes to your kitchen.
More Tasty Apple Recipes to Try
If you tried this Moist and Easy Apple Cake with Sunflower Seeds or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

Moist and Easy Apple Cake with Sunflower Seeds
Equipment
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Stand mixer
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parchment paper
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tart pan
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Vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 2 apples, peeled & diced
- 1¼ cup flour, sifted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 4 Tbsp sunflower seeds
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
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In a stand mixer, on low speed beat together a pack of softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and blended.4 oz cream cheese,, ½ cup butter,
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Add sugar to the mixer and beat together for 1 more minute.1 cup sugar
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Add in eggs, one at a time, beating between each one.4 eggs
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To the mixer add baking powder, vanilla, and flour. Combine.1½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp vanilla, 1¼ cup flour,
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Line the bottom of a tart or cake pan with parchment paper and spray the sides with cooking spray.
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Layout half of the batter into the pan and sprinkle with the diced apples.2 apples,
- Cover the diced apples with the rest of the batter.
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Sprinkle the top of the batter with 4 Tablespoons of sunflower seeds and 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar.4 Tbsp sunflower seeds, 2 Tbsp brown sugar
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Bake for 35-40 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
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Sift some powdered sugar on top and enjoy a piece of an apple cream cheese cake!
Notes
- Use any type of apples you want.
- Make sure to peel the apples.