Snickers salad meets apple cake in this delicious homemade cake recipe. This Apple Snickers Cake is loaded with apple chunks and candy bars and topped with a fluffy pudding frosting! One bite and you will declare this your new favorite fall dessert.
How you ever had Snickers salad before? It always makes me laugh when I hear Snickers and salad in the same sentence because they normally don't go together. But that fall fluff salad will change your mind in a hurry. It's that good.
That amazing apple salad was the inspiration behind this delicious apple Snickers cake! The combination of flavors will have your mouth watering after one bite! It's a great way to eat an apple a day...wink, wink!
Why We Love this Apple Cake
This apple cake recipe is different from all the rest. It has an extra special topping that makes it stand out in the crowd. Not just any topping... Snickers salad frosting!
That's right, this apple cake is topped with a fluffy cloud of pudding frosting and candy bars. Yum! Once you try this recipe, you won't want to go back to your old way of making apple cake ever again.
It's so easy to make, so you can whip this up in no time at all. And the best part is that your friends and family will be so impressed when they find out that this amazing dessert is actually made from scratch.
Ingredient List
A homemade apple cake is quite easy to make. The ingredients can be found easily in any grocery store or local market. Most may be ones you already have in your pantry or refrigerator.
- Applesauce - Takes the place of oil and adds more apple flavor.
- Sour Cream - Adds a rich flavor and moist texture to cakes.
- Sugar - A mixture of granulated and brown sugar sweets this homemade cake.
- Eggs - Adds moisture and binds all the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract, Salt, & Cinnamon - Adds flavor.
- Flour - We use all purpose flour in most of our recipes. Make sure you are measuring the flour properly using the spoon and sweep method. Read our tutorial on how to measure flour.
- Baking Soda - Allows the cake to rise as it bakes.
- Apples - It is the most important ingredient in an apple cake!
- Snickers Candy Bars - Chopped large one up into bite sized pieces.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding - Make sure you buy the instant pudding. The cook & serve will not work at all.
- Milk - The best milk to use for instant pudding is 2% or whole milk. You can try using other milks, but they may not set up as well.
- Cool Whip - Gives the pudding frosting a light and fluffy texture. Feel free to use 3 cups of homemade whipped cream, if you prefer.
How to make an Apple Snickers Cake
This homemade apple cake has a unique twist on a classic favorite. It comes together in just a few steps. Once you try it, we know you won't be able to resist making it again and again!
Step One: Make Apple Cake.
- Mix the applesauce, sour cream, and sugars in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again.
- Slowly beat the dry ingredients into the mixture.
- Add the chopped apples and chopped Snickers pieces and stir gently.
- Pour into a greased 9x13 cake pan and bake. Remove and place on a wire rack.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Step Two: Make Snickers Salad.
- Whisk together instant pudding mix and milk. Let it thicken.
- Fold in thawed Cool Whip gently and spread on top of the cake.
- Decorate the top of the apple cake with chopped candy bars.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of apples are best for baking?
You want to use a variety that holds up well when baked. I usually use Gala apples or Honeycrisp apples in our baked goods, but feel free to use your favorite apple.
Other apples that are great for baking are Winesap, Jonagold, Granny Smith, and Braeburn
Do you have to peel the apples?
It depends on your preference.I have made this apple cake both ways, and it's delicious either way.
What can I use in place of Cool Whip?
A stabilized whipped cream will also work for the pudding frosting. Use 3 cups of this homemade whipped cream in place of the Cool Whip.
Does this cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes, this Snickers cake needs to be kept in the refrigerator because of the milk in the frosting. Keep it in a tightly sealed container, so it doesn't dry out.
More easy apple recipes
- Apple Crisp Pie
- Apple Cider Donut Holes
- Apple Bacon Casserole
- Caramel Apple Bundt Cake
- Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Taffy Apple Pizza
- Candy Apple Nachos
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Apple Snickers Cake Recipe
Snickers salad meets apple cake in this delicious homemade cake recipe. This Apple Snickers Cake is loaded with apple chunks and candy bars and topped with a fluffy pudding frosting! One bite and you will declare this your new favorite fall dessert.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- ⅓ cup applesauce
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 cups peeled and diced apples
- 2 cups chopped Snickers bars, divided
For the Topping
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (3.4 ounce) box Jello instant vanilla pudding
- 1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, sour cream, and sugars. Beat until creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix again.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Slowly add to the mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Stir in diced apples and 1 cup of chopped Snickers by hand.
- Pour the apple cake batter into prepared pan. Bake the cake for 38-40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Cool completely.
- Whisk together the milk and pudding mix. Fold in the Cool Whip gently.
- Spoon the frosting on top of the cooled cake and spread it out evenly. Place the cake in the refrigerator for about one hour to thicken.
- Sprinkle with extra candy bar pieces before serving.
Notes
*You can also use 3 cups of this homemade whipped cream in place of the Cool Whip.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 211Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 166mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
(original photo from 2013)
*This Apple Snickers Cake recipe was first published February 27, 2013. The pictures were updated October 2016, and the post was updated and republished September 10, 2020.
Marysue
This sounds oh, SOOO yummm! Quandary: do I file it under "cake" or "sweet bar"? I know it says cake, bit it's so dense (looking), it looks like it could be called a bar. Either way, can't wait to try it!
Annie
Does this cake need to be refrigerated if you are serving it the next day?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, this cake needs to be refrigerated because of the pudding and Cool Whip on top. Hope you enjoy it!
Lori
Ok let's just say I don't wanna be healthy. I want the butter or oil, not the applesauce and yogurt. How much? 2/3 cup softened butter?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha! So your comment made me laugh today 🙂 Yes, if you want to go full fat, I would use 2/3 cup butter. But I have to tell you that you would never know this was a "healthy" cake because it is rich and full of moisture!
Lori
Thank you Jocelyn! I'm sure it's great either way! I have apples, and Snickers I can pick up at cvs tomorrow before work, but I'm trying to avoid a grocery run, that's all! If I can use butter, I'm good to go!
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen
Ooh these look so good! I love the sound of the flavour combinations!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you!!!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
Oh wow...I was already head over heels for the apple Snickers salad...here's something else amazing I can certainly get on a health kick with! Looks awesome!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, this is the best way to get healthy! And isn't Snickers salad just too awesome?
Holly Lefevre
This is an unexpected combination-I am intrigued!
Alicia
This looks so delicious! I'm dying over it! Snickers are my hubby's favorites, and I love baking with apples. As soon as I get my new kitchen set up, I'm making this!
Trish - Mom On Timeout
Yummy in my tummy! Pinned and featuring tonight! Thanks so much for sharing!
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife
This looks so delicious! We would love for you to link it up with The Hopeless Housewife Link Party, we are giving away a Le Creuset French Oven!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking
I love apple cake and adding snickers to it sounds so delicious i may not want to share it!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You are so right...sharing was very hard with this cake in front of me!!!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
What a great flavor combo! Snickers and apples and cake. 😀 I bet the smaller kids at Easter would LOVE this as a dessert option. Awesome recipe Jocelyn!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Small or big kids alike will go crazy over the fun candy cake! I can see making this for Easter for sure!!!
Brenda @ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com
WOW! I'll take a slice (or 3 ;)) I giggled when I read you saying it really was healthy...well, technically it IS a serving of fruit ... & I really should to add more chocolate...I mean FRUIT to my diet! 😉 Thanks for another delicious recipe, Jocelyn! (Pinned, OF COURSE ;)) Happy Friday!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hahaha...any time I add fruit or yogurt I say it is healthy. Drives my husband nuts when I say that 🙂
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe
This sounds great, Jocelyn! Adding it to my dessert arsenal. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
This is a good one to keep handy!!!
Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain
Thanks for the yummy recipe! PINNED! ~Sheryl @ Lady Behind The Curtain~
Jocelyn Brubaker
You are welcome...thank you for the pin love!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
This cake looks so moist. Sad to say I have never had snicker salad. I go through phases with snickers but this cake might just bring that phase back out.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I say bring back the snickers phase!!!
Ari @ Ari's Menu
Ummm, yes please. To all of it. Apple, snickers, healthy...does it get any better than that????
Jocelyn Brubaker
No, it doesn't get much better 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
This cake sounds so fun and delicious! Now I need to sneak away some Snickers bars from my Hubby 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm sure he will be ok with you stealing the Snickers when you make him this cake 🙂
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Oh my word! This cake looks fantastic. I would never imagine to pair Snickers and apples together on my own, but now that you showed me it can be done, my mind is swirling with ideas!
Jocelyn Brubaker
The ideas are swirling here too! I can't wait to see what yummy creations you come up with!!!
Caroel @ The Sweet Chick
Oh my. I never had a Snicker's Salad. I am going to have to go pin that now along with this recipe. I love Snickers!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You must try the Snickers Salad...so yummy!