This Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a true taste of autumn, with warm spices and tender apple pieces in every bite. It’s a simple, heartfelt recipe that fills the kitchen with the coziest cinnamon-apple scent as it bakes.
My sister, Jennifer, has always baked with pure joy. I still picture her, small and dusted with flour, proudly presenting this spiced apple cake. It was one of her first masterpieces, and that feeling of sharing something made with love is baked right into this very recipe.
What You’ll Love About This Apple Cake
- Flavor Profile: A beautifully moist spiced apple cake with a tender crumb, complemented by a tangy and smooth cream cheese frosting.
- Ease of Making: This recipe is straightforward and uses common pantry staples, making it accessible for bakers of all levels.
- Versatility: Bakes perfectly as a two-layer round cake for celebrations or as a simple 9×13-inch sheet cake for casual gatherings.
- Best For: Ideal for fall festivities, holiday desserts, or a cozy afternoon treat with a cup of tea.
- Frosting Tip: For clean, neat slices, be sure to chill the frosted cake for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Gathering Your Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup neutral oil (like canola or sunflower)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled, finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A Couple of Helpful Tools Before We Start
Before we dive in, here are two little things from my kitchen that make the process just a bit smoother.
My Trusted 8-inch Round Cake Pans
I find that using two round pans gives this cake such a classic, layered look that’s perfect for special occasions.
A Good Old Rubber Spatula
A good rubber spatula is my secret weapon for gently folding in the apples, ensuring they don’t get bruised.
Bringing This Apple Spice Cake to Life
Step 1: A Warm Oven and Ready Pans
First things first, let’s get the oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, take a moment to grease and line your pans. This little bit of prep ensures your beautiful cake layers will slide out without a fuss.
Step 2: Whisking the Spices and Flour
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. I love this step; the warm aroma of the spices starts to bloom, giving you a little preview of the deliciousness to come.
Step 3: Creating the Sweet, Golden Base
Now, in a larger bowl, whisk the melted butter, oil, and both sugars until everything is lovely and smooth. Then, add your eggs and vanilla, mixing until they’re fully combined. This mixture should look glossy and rich.
Step 4: Folding in All the Goodness
Gently stir the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, but be careful not to overmix—just until you no longer see streaks of flour. Now, fold in your finely chopped apples and nuts, if you’re using them. This is what makes it a true apple spice cake.
Step 5: Baking Until the House Smells Like Autumn
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans. Pop them into the oven and bake for about 30–35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The whole house will smell incredible!
Step 6: The Virtue of Patience (Cooling Time!)
This is perhaps the most important (and hardest) step, patience! Let the cakes cool in their pans for a few minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. A warm cake and frosting are a recipe for a sliding, melty mess.
Step 7: Whipping Up That Tangy, Dreamy Frosting
While the cake cools, let’s make that dreamy cream cheese frosting. In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until they’re smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until it’s all incorporated, then add the vanilla and beat until it’s light and fluffy.
Step 8: The Final, Beautiful Touches
Once the cake is completely cool, it’s time for the final touch. Frost your cake generously. If you made layers, place one layer on your serving plate, add a thick layer of frosting, then top with the second cake layer before frosting the top and sides. For the neatest slices, let the finished cake chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving.
A Quick Note on Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. It is calculated using a standard online nutrition calculator.
For a Lighter, Healthier Slice
- Reduce the Sugar: You can often reduce the sugar in the cake by about a quarter without drastically affecting the texture. The apples provide natural sweetness.
- Substitute with Whole Wheat: For a heartier crumb and extra fiber, try replacing half of the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour.
- Yogurt for Oil: To lower the fat content, you can substitute up to half of the oil with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce or plain Greek yogurt. This also keeps the apple cake recipe wonderfully moist.
My Favorite Ways to Serve a Slice
- A La Mode: A slice of this slightly warmed spiced apple cake is absolutely divine with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Caramel Drizzle: For an extra decadent touch, drizzle a little warm caramel sauce over the cream cheese frosting just before serving.
- With a Warm Drink: This cake is the perfect companion to a hot cup of tea, coffee, or even a spiced apple cider on a chilly afternoon.
A Little Baker’s Wisdom to Guide You
- Overmixing the Batter: Once you add the flour, mix only until it’s just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to a tough, dense cake instead of a light and tender one.
- Frosting a Warm Cake: Applying cream cheese frosting to a cake that is even slightly warm will cause it to melt and slide right off. Always ensure your cake layers are completely cool to the touch.
- Not Chopping Apples Finely Enough: Large chunks of apple can create pockets of moisture and cause the cake to be unevenly cooked. Chopping them finely ensures they soften perfectly and distribute evenly.
Keeping Your Cake Fresh and Delicious
Because of the cream cheese frosting, this cake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 4-5 days. For the best flavor and texture, I recommend letting it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
From My Family’s Kitchen to Yours
There is something so comforting about the smell of an apple spice cake baking in the oven. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a feeling of warmth, of home. I hope this recipe brings as much joy and as many sweet memories to your kitchen as it has to mine. Happy baking!
Just in Case You’re Wondering…
Can I use a different kind of frosting?
Absolutely! While the tangy cream cheese frosting is a classic pairing, this cake would also be delicious with a simple vanilla buttercream, a brown sugar frosting, or even a dusting of powdered sugar.
What are the best types of apples for this cake?
I recommend using a firm, crisp apple that holds its shape well during baking. Granny Smith is a wonderful choice for a tarter flavor, while Honeycrisp, Gala, or Braeburn offer a sweeter taste that complements the spices beautifully.
Can I make this apple cider cake ahead of time?
Yes, this is a great make-ahead cake. You can bake the cake layers a day in advance, let them cool completely, and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to store at room temperature. The frosting can also be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just let it soften slightly and give it a quick whip before frosting the cake.
Print
Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
A cozy, spiced apple cake filled with tender apple pieces and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting — the perfect autumn dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup neutral oil (canola or sunflower)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled, finely chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round pans or a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, whisk until combined.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Gently fold in chopped apples and nuts if using.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For frosting: beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Frost cooled cake. For layered cake, spread frosting between layers, on top, and around sides. Chill 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. For best flavor, bring to room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: apple cake, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, spiced cake