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Apple Spice Cake Recipe

Apple Spice Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 11 reviews

This moist and flavorful Apple Spice Cake combines warm autumn spices with fresh grated apples and apple cider for a delightful treat. Topped with a smooth cinnamon glaze, this cake is perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting dessert any time of year.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 1/3 cup fresh apple, peeled and grated (drained between paper towels)

Cinnamon Glaze Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing the parchment to hang over the sides for easy cake removal. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl sides as needed.
  3. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  4. Add Vanilla: Mix in vanilla extract until combined.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the butter-egg mixture alternately with the apple cider, starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing to combine after each addition.
  7. Fold in Apples: Remove the bowl from the mixer and gently fold in the grated, drained apples using a spatula. Take care not to overmix.
  8. Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and bake on the center rack for 55-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few crumbs. If the cake browns too quickly, tent with aluminum foil.
  9. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then lift the cake out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Prepare Cinnamon Glaze: In a medium bowl, sift powdered sugar. Add heavy cream or milk and ground cinnamon, whisking until smooth and lump-free. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar if too thin, or more cream/milk if too thick.
  11. Glaze the Cake: Drizzle the cinnamon glaze evenly over the cooled cake. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh apple cider, not apple juice, for authentic flavor and acidity.
  • Grate the apple and press between paper towels to remove excess moisture to prevent sogginess.
  • Room temperature ingredients blend better and produce a more uniform batter.
  • If the cake edges brown too fast during baking, tent loosely with foil to avoid burning.
  • Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk in the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple spice cake, autumn cake, cinnamon glaze, moist apple cake, spiced loaf cake, homemade apple cake, fall dessert

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