How Many Apples Are in a Cup?
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
Never go apple picking without knowing how many apples you need for a recipe again!
It’s that time of year—we’re cooking, baking and even decorating with apples. There’s only one problem: Apples don’t drop perfectly into a measuring cup! It’s tough to figure out the right amount, whether you’re at the grocery store or the best apple orchard in your state.
Here’s the trick to measuring apples for every recipe you’ll make this season.
How Many Apples in a Cup
About 3/4 of an average sliced or cubed apple equates to a single cup. However, it really depends on the size of your apple and how you’ll be cutting it. In a perfect world, you’ll start with a medium apple. It’s about the same size as a tennis ball (or about 2 ½ – 2 ¾ inches in diameter). Keep in mind that when apples are bigger or smaller than a tennis ball, they will make proportionately more or less than the equivalents below.
1 medium apple makes:
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1 â…“ cup sliced apples
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1 â…“ cup cubed apples
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1 ¼ cup diced apples
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1 cup finely minced or grated
You should be able to guesstimate the number of apples required for any recipe without slicing too many. It’s also helpful to know how many apples to buy in the first place.
1 pound of apples:
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1 pound of apples will make about 3 cups sliced or cubed
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4 tennis ball-sized apples weigh about a pound
The size of each apple will vary widely based on type, so it’s always good to buy an extra. Take a look at the best apples for baking, too. You’re all ready to fill apple pies, tarts and side dishes with ease. Start with our most a-peel-ing apple desserts!
Dutch Oven Apple CobblerThis homey Dutch oven apple cobbler is always a big hit with my family and one of our favorite easy apple desserts. We like to serve it with ice cream or whipped cream. —Cindy Jajuga, Weed, California
Trying to stay away from overly indulgent dishes? These healthy apple recipes are just what you need.
Baked Apple SlicesNothing beats these tender baked apple slices over ice cream for satisfying harvest flavor. This old-fashioned treat gives a new twist to traditional baked apples. They are also excellent served over waffles or with ham. I make sure to save room for dessert! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Apple-Sweet Potato Pecan Dump CakeThis quick cake has lots of delicious apples, sweet potatoes, spices, pecans and caramel. My surprise ingredient of white cheddar cheese enhances the wonderful filling. —Kathy Specht, Clinton, Montana
Slow-Cooked Pumpkin Apple CobblerThis spiced cobbler with apples and cranberries is sure to please all of your holiday guests. It is perfect for fall but can be made year-round since it uses fresh or frozen cranberries. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Air-Fryer Apple FrittersThese easy air-fryer apple fritters with brown butter glaze are healthier than old-fashioned fritters, yet they are still as delicious. Plus they're made in under 30 minutes for a quick and easy apple dessert! —Alyssa Castriotta, North Scituate, Rhode Island
Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar FrostingI am a healthy eater most of the time, but this apple spice cake is worth the splurge! Every year I treasure the opportunity to make my own birthday cake, and I choose this. You can add a cup of raisins to the batter before baking if you'd like. —Jennifer Owen, Louisville, Kentucky
Apple ComfortYears ago, we were without electricity for nine days during an ice storm, but I was able run the slow cooker from our generator. The situation called for a treat, and this has been a favorite ever since.
Mom's Fried ApplesMom often made these rich cinnamon-sugar apples when I was growing up. I swear the folks at Cracker Barrel copied her recipe! —Margie Tappe, Prague, Oklahoma
Apple BreadI got this apple quick bread recipe a long time ago and with a few changes it's become one of our favorites. Everyone who's ever tasted this apple bread has asked for the recipe! —Phyllis Herlocker, Farlington, Kansas
Apple Streusel BarsI made these delicious bars for a friend's birthday once and now he requests them every year! They have a tasty tartness with a cinnamony kick. Be sure to chop the apples into small cubes —if the apple pieces are too big the bars will fall apart. —Danielle Millwer, Tonawanda, New York
Apple Coffee CakeTart sour cream flavors this moist apple cinnamon coffee cake covered with brown sugar and crunchy nuts. The yield is two pans, so you can serve one and freeze the other for a busy morning or unexpected company. —Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota
Oatmeal Caramel Apple CookiesThis recipe for caramel apple cookies is a fun twist on traditional oatmeal raisin. These treats are hard to resist! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Apple-Walnut Cake with Orange GlazeI tinkered with a plain apple cake recipe to create this moist, delicious winner. The result: old-fashioned goodness with a heavenly aroma! This cake is the perfect fall treat or holiday dessert, but it’s also great as a special breakfast or brunch item. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Caramel Apple BarsThese bars make an excellent fall dessert. We like to warm individual servings in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It quickly became a family favorite; maybe it'll become one of your family's, too. —Carol Stuber, Osawatomie, Kansas
Apple Slab PieApple slab pie is a terrific contribution to a covered-dish supper, picnic or potluck. It’s baked in a large 15x10 baking pan so it’s easy to make and tote, too. But be prepared—people always ask for a copy of the recipe! —Dolores Skrout, Summerhill, Pennsylvania
Apple-Nut Bread PuddingTraditional bread pudding gives way to autumn's influences in this comforting, easy apple dessert. I add apples and pecans to this slow-cooked version, then top warm servings with ice cream. —Lori Fox, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Apple Cranberry Upside-Down CakesCornmeal gives this upside-down cake a unique texture. Apples, cranberries and pecan make a delicious alternative to the typical pineapple and cherries. —Margee Berry, Trout Lake, Washington
Apple Gingerbread Skillet CakeThis gingerbread recipe came from my grandmother, and we always ate it with warm applesauce. I adapted it into a one-pan dessert by layering the apples around the bottom of a cast-iron skillet and topping them with the gingerbread batter. The skillet creates a wonderfully thick crust on the gingerbread. —Mary M. Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon ButtercreamThese apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Caramel ApplesNothing tastes better at this time of year than a sweet-to-eat caramel apple! That rich homemade flavor just can't be beat.—Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
Caramel Apple FloatWho doesn't love the flavors of caramel, apples, and vanilla ice cream together? If I'm feeling fancy, I drizzle caramel syrup around the inside of my glass before adding the apple cider and ginger ale. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Swedish Cream Apple RingsMy mother made this classic coffee cake for every important holiday... Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Now, I carry on the tradition. As I make them, I remember my mom, who was a lot like this recipe: soft and tasteful but full of surprises. The overnight rise let's you make the dough in advance so your morning won't be hectic.—Heather Hood, Hillsboro, Oregon
Apple Betty with Almond CreamI love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois
Apple Pie Ricotta WafflesI had apples and ricotta cheese to use up, so instead of making a pie I decided to do something different. The result was these fluffy, tender waffles with just a hint of sweetness. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Apple Dumpling BakeI received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Apple Butterscotch CrispI give this classic dessert a rich twist with butterscotch pudding. The warm apple filling bubbles to perfection in a mini slow cooker. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Dutch Apple Pie TartletsThese adorable mini apple pie pastries make a delightful addition to a dessert buffet or snack tray. The recipe calls for convenient frozen phyllo shells, so they're surprisingly easy to prepare. The lemon curd filling adds a unique flavor twist. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Apple Cinnamon CakeThis apple cinnamon cake is equally good for breakfast or dessert, so be sure to not eat all of it after dinner! Easy to make, it's super moist on the inside and has a crispy, cinnamon-rich crunch on the outside. —Marideane Maxwell, Albany, Georgia
Caramel Apple BarsThese bars make an excellent fall dessert. We like to warm individual servings in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It quickly became a family favorite; maybe it'll become one of your family's, too. —Carol Stuber, Osawatomie, Kansas
Easy Apple StrudelMy family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, so I changed it up a bit. This revised classic is just as good as the original. It's best served warm from the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana
Apple Fritter CakeI was experimenting with a beer bread to make it into a dessert and came up with this delectable apple fritter cake. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
Potluck German Apple CakeMy mother made this German apple cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It's an excellent choice for a Christmas potluck or actually any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Caramel Apple CupcakesBring these extra special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Glazed Apple-Maple BlondiesEasy apple dessert? Coming right up! My 6-year-old son and I conjured up this recipe to use up the last of the apples we picked from the local apple orchard. Serve it with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
Caramel Apple BitesKids can help make these perfect fall bites by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It's a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutty Apple Streusel DessertMany people don't think of using a slow cooker to make dessert, but I like having this hot, scrumptious apple treat waiting to be served when we finish up our dinner. I start it in the morning and don't think about it all day. —Jacki Every, Rotterdam, New York
Cinnamon-Sugar Apple PieCinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
Apple Dumpling Roll-UpsA family friend gave me a simple way to make apple dumplings without lots of steps. I love the sticky cinnamon topping. —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio
No-Bake Apple PieWe always have an abundance of apples in the fall, so I like to make this easy pie. My husband has diabetes, and this recipe fits into his diet ... but everyone enjoys it. —Shirley Vredenburg, Ossineke, Michigan
Easy Mini Caramel Apple CheesecakesCheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
Caramel Apple-Pear CrispThis crisp is packed with a combination of healthy pears and apples, and just the right amount of tasty walnuts in the topping. You'll love it! —Amanda Pettit, Logan, Ohio
Caramel DumplingsMy family just loves these tender dumplings in the sweet, rich sauce. I love them because they turn out wonderful every time I make them, which is a lot! —Faye Johnson, Connersville, Indiana
Chunky Apple Snack CakeWe enjoy this cake as a snack, packed in lunches or as a scrumptious dessert when warmed and topped with a scoop of low-fat ice cream. If the batter seems really thick, don't worry: Once you stir in the apples it loosens up. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois
Apple Cornbread CrispWith its hearty ingredients and quick prep time, this warm apple crisp makes a smart dessert for any fall night. It reminds me of the recipe my grandmother would serve after our big family seafood dinners. It's absolutely wonderful topped with ice cream. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Apple Pie BarsThis is only one of many wonderful recipes that my mother handed down to me. With their flaky crust and scrumptious fruit filling, these delicious apple pie bars are the perfect way to serve apple pie to a crowd.—Janet English, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tips from the Test Kitchen: Are You Measuring Flour the Right Way?
Check out more measuring tips from the experts to make your recipe perfect every time.
Originally Published: October 19, 2018
