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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Recipe
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.
Karly
Apple and snickers just belong together. Love this cake!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I agree 100% with you...something just perfectly right about that combo!!!
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
This cake looks so moist and delicious! I love apple cake, but never think to make it. The addition of snickers makes this recipe sound out of this world yummy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Out of the world yummy is a great way to describe how this cake tasted 🙂
Jenny @ The Brunette Baker
Whoa. What a fantastic looking cake! You can never go wrong with Snickers! XO
Jocelyn Brubaker
I agree...Snickers always comes through and satisfies!!!
Regina @ SpecialtyCakeCreations
I love apple cake or cupcakes. I can totally see how awesome it would be with the caramel and nuts from the snickers!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Awesome is definitely the word I would use for this cake too!!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Over and beyond the Snickers (fabulous of course), the cake itself looks sooooo incredibly moist and wonderful! Wow...gotta love Chob plus the applesauce. Great Job on this one!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I really do enjoy using Chobani in baked goods. That yogurt makes such a difference in texture. Of course Snickers added a great crunch this time too!!!
Medeja
Apples and snickers in a cake? Sounds and looks really yummy!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You said it best...yummy!!!!
Lyuba@willcookforsmiles
Oh wow...I need to make it for hubby, he will love it!
Thank you for the shout-out too!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You are welcome for the link back!!
Jennifer @ Mother Thyme
I have a weakness for snickers. I can't help but devour an entire bag if I have them around. I have never heard of Snickers salad before. What a genius idea of adding Snickers to this cake. This would not last long in our house! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am surprised at how many have never heard of the salad...it is such a fun one to share!!! I have problems around candy bars in general 🙂 The cake was gone pretty quickly here too!
Liz
This cake sounds amazing especially because it contains one of my favorite chocolate bars! I'll have to try the salad too 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, definitely try the salad...it is a huge favorite around here and always one of the first things to go at potluck dinners!!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I've still never had a snickers apple salad. But I think I'd rather have this cake! YUM!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Never had snickers salad? Girl, you need to make the salad first...it really is pretty awesome. Then definitely make the cake...it's equally as awesome 🙂
sally @ sallys baking addiction
I had my first taste of snickers salad last summer. and I must say.... it's definitely my favorite dessert "salad" ever!! Jocelyn, I love that you used it on top of a homemade apple cake. 🙂 That's so creative! Apple cakes will always be one of my very favorite flavors. I love apple desserts!
Jocelyn Brubaker
It is a salad that I can get behind each and every time! It was so fun to pair it with an apple cake for a fun twist!
Julie @ Table for Two
oh wow, i love the fruity flavor of the cake topped with snickers!! looks like a dream!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You have no idea how dreamy this cake was...so dreamy I ate way too many pieces 🙂
Jenn
Don't tempt me with those Snickers!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Snickers always get me too!!!
Diane {Created by Diane}
Oh my dad would just LOVE me to pieces if I made him this cake, he LOVES Snickers and any fruity type of cake. What a great combo. Maybe I'll surprise him next week and invite him over jus to present him with this 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
He is going to be so surprised when you cut him a huge piece of cake with apples and snickers then!!! Hope he likes it!!!
Laurie
Instant or regular pudding mix?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Sorry about that...it is an instant pudding mix. I fixed the recipe to state that.
Ashton
I LOVE Snickers Apple Salad!! And this cake is brilliant! Kudos to hubs!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I will be sure to pass on the kudos! It was the best creation of the week for sure!
Wendy
I love how moist apple cake is. The snickers topping makes this cake especially appealing. Yum.
Jocelyn Brubaker
It amazes me every time I bake with apples at how moist things turn out! The topping was obviously the best part!!!
Kelley Jose
Oh my..I was just going through my stash of candy last night and found one lonely little bag of Snicker's minis leftover from Christmas! Now I know exactly what to do with them 🙂 This recipe looks great! And I just happen to have some Chobani in the fridge as well! Thank you! Can't wait to make this cake!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Sounds to me like apple snickers cake should have been in your house this weekend 🙂 I hope you had a chance to make it!!!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Sounds healthy enough to me, count me in! The snicker salad on top is just genius!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm glad it is just the right bit of healthy for you 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
OMG that's genius to put the salad on top like that! One of my favorite summertime salads! My son will LOVe this cake (well, we all will, but it's his favorite salad ever)!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know...my hubby has had quite a few winner recipes lately. Maybe he should be food blogging 🙂 You will have to let me know what your family thinks of this one!!!