Spiced Apple Cake
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Let me introduce you to your new favorite dessert: Spiced Apple Cake. Imagine the rich, sweet aroma of apples and spices filling your kitchen while this heavenly cake bakes. Perfectly moist, filled with the warm flavors of cinnamon, allspice, and ginger, and then topped with a decadent layer of caramel cream cheese frosting—it doesn’t get better than this! Ideal for holiday gatherings, Sunday brunch, or just because it’s Tuesday and you deserve a treat, this cake will leave you and your guests craving seconds. The best part? It’s a breeze to make. From start to finish, you’re looking at just about an hour of your time. So, if you’re after something deliciously sweet, delightfully spicy, and drop-dead gorgeous to look at, this Spiced Apple Cake is the recipe to try. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Why You’ll Love Spiced Apple Cake
- Unforgettable Flavor: The blend of spices like cinnamon, allspice, and ginger creates a warm and comforting flavor profile that perfectly complements the sweet apples.
- Creamy, Dreamy Frosting: The caramel cream cheese frosting adds a layer of luxurious sweetness that takes this cake from great to extraordinary.
- Easy to Make: With a prep time of just 25 minutes, this cake is perfect for bakers of all skill levels. And you can’t beat a homey, made-from-scratch cake that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
- Versatile Serving Options: Whether it’s a holiday dinner, a potluck, or just a family get-together, this cake fits the bill. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s suitable for almost any occasion.
- Customizable: Want to throw in some pecans instead of walnuts? Go ahead! The base cake recipe is versatile enough for you to make it your own.
Ingredients Needed To Make Spiced Apple Cake
- Gluten-Free Baking Flour (or regular flour)
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Ginger
- Kosher salt
- Apples
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Walnuts, chopped
- Applesauce
How To Make Spiced Apple Cake
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F. Spray two 8″ cake pans with nonstick baking spray (or use a 9×13 pan).
- Prepare the batter: In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, brown sugar, butter, and eggs for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free baking flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Add apples and walnuts: Gently fold in the chopped apples and walnuts.
- Bake the cake : Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the tops are lightly browned.
- Cool Completely: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Ingredients For Frosting
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Caramel
- Cinnamon
Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter: In a mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
Add Vanilla and Sugar: Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until smooth and creamy.
Caramel Note: To make your own caramel sauce, add one can of sweetened condensed milk to a stockpot and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until it turns a light golden brown. Let it cool slightly before using.
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Assembling the Cake:
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers have cooled completely, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on the top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake, smoothing out the sides and top.
- Decorate: Feel free to decorate with additional cinnamon, apple slices, or nuts if desired.
Commonly Asked Questions
What Apples Should I Use?
Any sweet variety like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp works well in this recipe.
How Long Does This Cake Keep?
Stored in an airtight container, the cake should remain fresh for up to 4-5 days.
Can I Freeze the Cake?
Yes, this Spiced Apple Cake freezes well. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Spiced Apple Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting.
Equipment
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Square 8 inch cake pan or 9×13 dish
Ingredients
- 2 1/3 1.1 GF Flour or all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 apples peeled and core removed, chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup butter room temp
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 3/4 cup milk
Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F. Spray two 8" cake pans with nonstick baking spray (or use a 9×13 pan).
- Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, brown sugar, butter, and eggs for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, brown sugar, butter, and eggs for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free baking flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Add Apples and Walnuts: Gently fold in the chopped apples and walnuts.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the tops are lightly browned.
- Cool Completely: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter: In a mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
- Add Vanilla and Sugar: Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until smooth and creamy.
Assembling the Cake:
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers have cooled completely, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on the top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake, smoothing out the sides and top.
- Decorate: Feel free to decorate with additional cinnamon, apple slices, or nuts if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This Spiced Apple Cake isn’t just another dessert; it’s an experience—a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more. From the moist, flavorful cake to the luscious, caramel-infused frosting, every bite is a celebration. Moreover, you get to savor a cake that is not only delicious but also easy to make and adaptable to various occasions. Whether you’re a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe provides an effortless way to bring a little culinary magic to your table. So why not roll up those sleeves and get baking? Your future self (and your guests) will thank you for it!