Print

Apple Spice Cake Recipe

Apple Spice Cake Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 24 reviews

This Apple Spice Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert featuring grated honey crispy apples blended into a warmly spiced batter, topped with a luscious brown sugar icing that melts perfectly when drizzled warm. The recipe combines traditional autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with the natural sweetness and texture of fresh apples, making it an inviting treat perfect for cozy gatherings or holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2–3 large honey crispy apples, grated using the large holes on a box grater, about 1 1/2 cups (skin can be kept on)

Brown Sugar Icing

  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch light-colored nonstick pan with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cake.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves until uniformly combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract together until smooth and well incorporated.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold together just until combined—be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
  5. Add Apples: Fold in the grated honey crispy apples evenly into the batter, distributing them thoroughly without crushing.
  6. Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top evenly.
  7. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
  8. Make Brown Sugar Icing: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the salted butter with dark brown sugar and heavy cream. Whisk continuously until the mixture is combined and reaches a gentle boil.
  9. Finish Icing: Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract followed by the sifted powdered sugar until smooth and glossy.
  10. Apply Icing: Pour the warm icing evenly over the slightly warm cake so it melts slightly into the top layer.
  11. Serve: Slice the cake and enjoy it warm for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Using honey crispy apples adds a natural sweetness and a crisp texture; other tart apples can be used but may alter sweetness.
  • Ensure eggs and sour cream are at room temperature to promote even mixing and better texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and moist.
  • The brown sugar icing works best when poured warm; it will slightly soak into the cake for added moisture and flavor.
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • This cake can be refrigerated and served cold or reheated gently for a warm treat.

Nutrition

Keywords: Apple spice cake, autumn dessert, apple cake with icing, brown sugar icing, moist apple cake

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/apple-spice-cake-recipe-2/