Description
Apple spice cake with cream cheese frosting is a moist, spiced dessert filled with tender apple chunks and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing cake perfect for fall or any festive occasion.
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
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in chopped apples and nuts if using.
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and spread evenly.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes (9×13) or 25–30 minutes (round pans), until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cake cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until light and fluffy.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake. Garnish with chopped nuts or a dusting of cinnamon if desired.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
- Let the cake cool fully before applying frosting to prevent melting.
- Frosting can be flavored with maple or citrus zest for a twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
