This easy apple spice cake recipe delivers a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for any autumn gathering or a cozy afternoon treat. It’s a simple, from-scratch bake that highlights the warm spices and tender apples everyone loves in a classic apple dessert.
A Taste of Autumn: Perfectly Spiced Apple Cake
There’s something truly magical about the aroma of baking apples and warm spices filling the kitchen, and this apple spice cake recipe captures that essence beautifully. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season, bringing together tender chunks of apple with a tender, spiced cake crumb that’s utterly irresistible. This homemade apple spice cake is sure to become a family favorite, offering a comforting slice of pure deliciousness.
This delightful apple cake with cinnamon is incredibly versatile, making it a fantastic option for everything from a casual Sunday brunch to a more festive holiday dessert. Its moist texture and comforting flavors make it a crowd-pleaser, and the straightforward preparation means even beginner bakers can achieve spectacular results. For more inspiration on delicious baked goods, you can explore a variety of apple dessert recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Spice Cake
This apple spice cake recipe is a standout for several reasons. It’s incredibly moist and tender, thanks to the fresh apples and a carefully balanced wet-to-dry ingredient ratio. The spice blend is just right, offering warmth without overpowering the delicate apple flavor. Plus, it’s a relatively quick apple spice cake to whip up, making it an excellent choice for when a craving strikes.
It’s also wonderfully adaptable. Whether you prefer a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a decadent cream cheese frosting, this cake is the perfect canvas. You can even add nuts or raisins for extra texture and flavor. This is truly the best apple spice cake for anyone looking for a reliable, delicious, and satisfying homemade treat. For those interested in the science behind successful baking, understanding why cakes sink can be a helpful guide to achieving perfect results.
Another favorite of ours is the Apple Cider Cake.
Ingredients for the Best Apple Spice Cake
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a successful bake. For this moist apple cake, you’ll need common pantry staples along with fresh apples. Using a mix of apple varieties can add complexity to the flavor, but a good all-purpose baking apple like Honeycrisp or Gala works wonderfully.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup milk (whole or 2%), at room temperature
- 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 2-3 medium apples)
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Flour: All-purpose flour is standard, but you could experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for a gluten-free apple spice cake, though results may vary.
- Spices: Feel free to adjust the spice blend to your preference. A touch more cinnamon or nutmeg is always welcome in a spiced apple cake.
- Apples: Granny Smith offers tartness, while Fuji or Honeycrisp provide sweetness. A mix is often best for balanced flavor and texture.
- Sour Cream/Yogurt: This adds moisture and a slight tang. Full-fat versions will yield the best texture.
- Milk: Any milk will work, but whole milk provides the richest flavor.
How to Make Apple Spice Cake From Scratch
This recipe guides you through creating a delicious apple spice cake from scratch with clear, easy-to-follow steps. Baking this spiced apple cake is a rewarding process that results in a wonderfully fragrant and flavorful dessert.
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Whisking ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for a consistent rise and flavor in your apple cake with cinnamon.
Don’t miss out on our guide to Zucchini Spice Cake Recipe.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. This process incorporates air into the batter, which contributes to the cake’s tender texture and volume. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Then, mix in the vanilla extract. Ensure each egg is properly blended before adding the next to maintain a stable emulsion in your batter.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and milk until smooth. This combination will add moisture and richness to the cake batter.
5. Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the wet ingredients in two additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined after each addition; be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much and result in a tough cake.
Don’t miss out on our guide to Strawberry Cake From Scratch.
6. Fold in the Apples
Gently fold the diced apples into the cake batter using a spatula until evenly distributed. Overmixing at this stage can break down the apples too much, so a light hand is best to ensure you have distinct pieces of apple throughout your apple crumble cake.
7. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9×13 inch baking pan or a greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35-45 minutes for a 9×13 pan, or 50-60 minutes for a Bundt pan, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking time can vary, so it’s always best to check for doneness a few minutes early.
8. Cool the Cake
Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15-20 minutes before inverting it onto the rack to cool completely. Allowing the cake to cool in the pan slightly helps it set, preventing it from breaking when you try to remove it. Ensure it’s fully cooled before frosting or serving.
Serving and Storing Your Apple Spice Cake
This apple spice cake is delightful on its own, but a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream elevates it further. For a more decadent treat, consider a classic cream cheese frosting or a caramel drizzle, transforming it into a beautiful caramel apple cake. It pairs wonderfully with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream, for which you can find a great guide on how to make ice cream at home.
If you enjoyed this, you might also love our Why Did My Cake Sink In The Middle recipe.
To store, keep the cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. If frosted with cream cheese frosting, it’s best to refrigerate it and allow it to come to room temperature before serving for optimal texture. This fall apple cake also freezes beautifully; wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature.
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apple spice cake Recipe
- Total Time: PT55M
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and flavorful apple spice cake, perfect for any occasion. Filled with warm spices and tender apple chunks, this cake is a comforting treat.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup finely diced apples (about 1 medium apple, like Honeycrisp or Gala)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and applesauce.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using).
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Serve plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or with a cream cheese frosting.
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of apple varieties.
- Ensure apples are finely diced so they cook through evenly.
- Prep Time: PT20M
- Cook Time: PT35M
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
