This moist and flavorful Jewish Apple Cake is baked to perfection on a Traeger grill, giving it a subtle smoky depth that sets it apart from traditional oven-baked versions. With layers of cinnamon-spiced apples and a tender cake base, this Traeger apple cake is perfect for any occasion. Plus, no need to turn on the oven—your grill does all the work!
Why You’ll Love This Smoked Apple Cake
✅ Smoky Twist on a Classic – Baking on a Traeger adds a subtle wood-fired flavor.
✅ No Oven Needed – Keep your kitchen cool while your grill does the baking.
✅ Perfect Texture – Crisp apple layers + a moist, fluffy cake = dessert perfection.
✅ Great for Holidays & Gatherings – A crowd-pleaser for Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving, or any special occasion.
What is Jewish Apple Cake?
Jewish Apple Cake is a dairy-free apple cake made with oil instead of butter, making it a great option for those who keep kosher. Unlike French or Dutch apple cakes, this one has a denser texture and rich layers of cinnamon-spiced apples throughout.
While we don’t keep kosher in our house (bacon makes everything better! 🥓), we love this version because it’s easy, delicious, and bakes beautifully on the Traeger.
Jewish Apple Cake is often served during fall and winter holidays, but honestly, it’s so good you’ll want to make it year-round.
Why Bake This Cake on a Traeger?
1️⃣ Wood-Fired Flavor
Baking on a Traeger grill isn’t just for meats and BBQ! The convection-style cooking of the Traeger creates even heat distribution, which means your cakes come out beautifully baked—no hotspots, no uneven cooking.
2️⃣ No Need to Turn on the Oven
In the summer, the last thing you want is to heat up your kitchen with the oven. The Traeger keeps things cool inside while still giving you bakery-quality results.
3️⃣ Set It and Forget It
One of the best parts? The Traeger maintains a steady temperature, so you don’t have to keep checking on the cake. Just pop it in after grilling dinner, and let the grill do the rest.
4️⃣ Amazing Texture
Because the Traeger works like a convection oven, it gives this cake an even bake with a slightly crisp top. You get soft, spiced apples inside with a golden-brown crust—perfection!
Key Ingredients for Traeger-Baked Apple Cake 🍏🔥
The Apples
Your choice of apples makes or breaks this cake! The best varieties are:
🍏 Honeycrisp – Slightly tart, firm, and holds up well.
🍎 Granny Smith – Classic tart apple with a firm bite.
🍏 Fuji – Sweet with a nice crisp texture.
🍎 Braeburn – A good mix of tart and sweet.
The Spices
A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and Spiceology Apple Pie Spice adds warmth and depth.
The Cake Base
- Flour & Sugar – Classic baking staples for structure and sweetness.
- Eggs & Vegetable Oil – Keeps the cake moist and fluffy.
- Orange or Apple Juice – Adds a subtle fruity undertone.
The Crumb Topping (Optional But Delicious!)
A mix of brown sugar, butter, extra flour, and toffee bits creates an irresistible crunchy topping.
👉 Shop the ingredients:
🔗 Spiceology Apple Pie Spice
🔗 Bundt Pan for Baking
Step-by-Step: How to Bake Apple Cake on the Traeger
1️⃣ Prep the Traeger & Pan
- Preheat the Traeger grill to 375°F using mild wood pellets like apple or maple.
- Grease and flour a bundt cake pan.
2️⃣ Prepare the Apple Filling
- Peel and slice 4 large apples.
- Toss with lemon juice, sugar, and apple pie spice.
3️⃣ Make the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
✅ Flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. - In another bowl, mix:
✅ Eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and juice. - Combine wet and dry ingredients without overmixing.
4️⃣ Assemble the Cake
- Layer batter and apples in the pan, starting with batter.
- Mix brown sugar, butter, extra flour, and toffee bits for the topping.
- Sprinkle over the cake.
5️⃣ Bake in the Traeger
- Place the cake on the grill above a cookie sheet (to catch drips).
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool slightly, then unmold and serve warm.
More Traeger Baking Inspiration
If you love baking on the Traeger, check out these other delicious recipes:
🍂 Pumpkin Cheesecake – Baked on the Traeger
🔥 Baking with Your Traeger – Tips & Tricks
📖 My Cookbook – Get More Recipes Here
Traeger Baking Pro Tips & FAQs
What’s the Best Wood for Baking?
Mild, slightly sweet woods work best:
🍏 Apple – Mild and slightly fruity.
🌳 Maple – Subtle and slightly smoky.
🥜 Pecan – A little deeper, but great for desserts.
How Do You Store Leftovers?
- Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate for up to a week.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes! Wrap slices in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Best Way to Serve It?
🍦 With vanilla ice cream.
🍯 Drizzled with warm honey or caramel.
☕ With a cup of coffee for breakfast (we won’t judge!).
Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d LOVE to see your Traeger-baked apple cake!
📸 Snap a pic & tag me on Instagram: @ThisJewCanQue
⭐ Leave a review below and let me know how it turned out!
Happy grilling & baking! 🔥🍏
Traeger Baked Jewish Apple Cake
Equipment
- Traeger grill
- Springform/ Bundt pan
- Cookie sheet
- Several bowls
- Apple peeler
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 4 large crisp apples peeled and sliced thinly (we used honeycrisp)
- 2.5 cups white sugar
- 4 tablespoons Spiceology Apple Pie Spice
- 1 lemon
- 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 tablespoons Spiceology Apple Pie Spice
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Preheat the Traeger grill to 375* and use a pellet like apple, signature or pecan
- Prep a bundt or springform by first greasing the sides and bottom. Then coat it lightly with flour and tap out the extra. Set the pan aside.
- Wash, peel and slice the apples thinly. They should be almost paper-thin.
- In a large bowl, combine the apples with ¼ cup white flour, the juice of ½ a lemon, and 4 tbsp of the apple pie spice.
- Toss well to coat and set aside.
- Make the batter by combining the remaining white sugar, the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Using the whisk, mix the flour well.
- In another bowl, combine the oil, eggs, fruit juice, and vanilla.
- Gently combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, stirring until only combined. Do not over mix.
- In the prepared pan, layer the batter and the seasoned apples. It should make 2-3 layers total.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, additional flour, butter, apple pie spice and toffee bits. Mix until the texture resembles sand.
- Top the final layer of the cake with the brown sugar mixture.
- Cook in the preheated grill, set above a cookie sheet
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until no dough sticks on the toothpick.
- Remove from the grill and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Unmold the cake from the pan and cut with a serrated knife into slices.
- Serve and enjoy!
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