Name: Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the cake:; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional); 3 large eggs; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 cup vegetable oil or melted butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp); 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional); For the frosting:; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This apple spice cake is soft, flavorful, and packed with chunks of real apples and aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The cream cheese frosting adds a luscious, tangy balance to the sweet, spiced cake. It’s easy to make, can be served as a single-layer, layer cake, or even cupcakes, and it stays moist for days. Whether you serve it warm or chilled, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the apple spice cake:

Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and chopped
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Eggs
Vegetable oil or melted butter
Baking powder
Baking soda
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Ground cloves (optional)
Salt
Vanilla extract
Optional: chopped walnuts or pecans

For the cream cheese frosting:

Cream cheese (softened)
Unsalted butter (softened)
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or two 8-inch round pans.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat together eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until well combined.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Fold in the chopped apples and nuts (if using).
Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and spread evenly.
Bake for 35–40 minutes (9×13 pan) or 25–30 minutes (round pans), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until fluffy.
Spread frosting over cooled cake and garnish with chopped nuts or cinnamon if desired.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 12–14 people.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 35–40 minutes
Cooling time: 1 hour
Total time: About 1 hour 40 minutes

Variations

Add raisins, dried cranberries, or shredded carrots for extra texture.
Make cupcakes instead—bake for 18–20 minutes.
Add a drizzle of caramel sauce over the frosting for extra decadence.
Use maple extract in the frosting for a seasonal twist.
Make it gluten-free by substituting a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
To freeze, wrap slices or the whole unfrosted cake tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and frost after thawing.

FAQs

What are the best apples to use for this cake?

Granny Smith and Honeycrisp are great choices—they hold their shape and add a nice balance of tartness.

Can I use applesauce instead of chopped apples?

You can substitute part of the oil or sugar with applesauce, but chopped apples provide better texture in the cake.

Does this cake need to be refrigerated?

Yes, because of the cream cheese frosting, it’s best stored in the fridge.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely. It can be baked and frosted a day in advance and stored in the fridge.

Can I use store-bought frosting?

Yes, but homemade cream cheese frosting tastes better and is easy to make.

Is the cake overly sweet?

The sweetness is balanced by the spices and the tanginess of the cream cheese frosting. You can reduce sugar slightly if desired.

Can I make this a layer cake?

Yes, divide the batter between two round pans and adjust the baking time accordingly.

What kind of nuts work best?

Chopped pecans or walnuts are classic and add a lovely crunch.

Can I add other spices?

Yes, ginger, allspice, or cardamom are excellent additions to enhance the spice blend.

How do I prevent a dense cake?

Don’t overmix the batter and be sure to use fresh baking powder and baking soda for proper leavening.

Conclusion

Apple spice cake with cream cheese frosting is the ultimate comfort dessert, blending sweet, spiced apples with rich, tangy frosting for a treat that feels like home. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this cake is perfect for gatherings, holidays, or just a cozy night in. Once you try it, it’s bound to become a seasonal favorite—or a year-round classic.