Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
With Thanksgiving this week, I wanted to give you one more AH-mazing option to bring. As if you needed any more options! This super moist Maple Apple Spice Cake is a favorite at our house. In fact, I told Patrick he could have a “little” because I hadn’t taken pictures yet, and I came back to the whole right side of the cake devoured — you can kind of see the jagged edge on the picture below. I totally understand, Patrick. I totally understand. This cake is irresistible warm, right out of the oven, frosting-less (seriously, grab your fork!) and irresistible dressed up with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting and a sprinkling of walnuts. What makes this cake so extra special is that I replaced half of the sugar with pure maple syrup and a couple splashes of molasses, so along with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice, this cake is oozing with flavor (just try to resist the batter!). Add in the sweeetly tart Granny Smith apples and the crunchy walnuts, smother with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting also infused with maple syrup, and you have an unbelievably moist, Fall apple cake lover’s dream OR any dessert lover’s dream. Super moist Maple Apple Spice Cake. Another reason to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Apple Spice Cake Ingredients
The ingredients list for this apple walnut cake looks lengthy, but that’s because I packed it with loads of fall spices! Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy apple cake:
Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cloves and salt deliver sensational flavorful. All-purpose flour: I have not experimented with gluten free flour, but I assume gluten-free 1 to 1 flour like Bob’s Red Mill would work great. I do not recommend cake flour or self-rising flour or you will need to change the baking powder/baking soda, etc.Baking powder and baking soda: Take care that both are fresh, (throw out after 6-12 months) so it works!Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake but doesn’t add flavor like the maple syrup does. Butter: You need 1 stick of butter for this recipe. Make sure it’s been softened to room temperature before starting the recipe. Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup and not imitation maple syrup (like what you pour on pancakes). Molasses: Use a mild molasses, not blackstrap molasses. Vanilla extract: Use quality vanilla for best results.Eggs: You will need 2 large eggs and 3 egg yolks at room temperature. They provide structure and binding properties. Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream will deliver the best results. Apples: I used Granny Smith apples, but any tart baking apple will work. Walnuts: Optional, but highly recommended! Cream cheese: Use brick-style cream cheese that’s been softened to room temperature. Powdered sugar: Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the cream cheese frosting to avoid lumps.
How to Make Apple Spice Cake
The fresh apple cake and spice cake frosting are both incredibly easy to make. Here’s an overview of the process:
Tips for Making Fresh Apple Cake
Use correct pan size. It is important that you use the correct pan size or the cake will not bake properly. Nonstick Cooking Spray: I always use nonstick cooking spray with flour and have never had a problem with any of my cakes sticking – super quick, easy and effective!Parchment Paper: Lining the cake pans with parchment paper ensures no sticking!Don’t pack flour: Whenever you measure flour, don’t scoop the flour directly from the container or else the flour will compress – and packed flour = more flour, which = denser, drier cakes. Instead, scoop flour into measuring cup and then level, without packing or tappingRoom temperature ingredients: It is essential to use room temperature sour cream, butter, cream cheese, and eggs. Room temperature ingredients whisk together more easily and are hard to over mix, resulting in a softer, fluffier, more tender cake. Cold eggs result in a dry, denser cake.
Recipe Variations to Try
Use different nuts: I love making this as an apple walnut cake, but pecans would also be delicious here. Enjoy unfrosted: I LOVE the maple cream cheese frosting, but you could also enjoy this fresh apple spice cake sans frosting. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy like you would a coffee cake! Experiment with maple extract: This easy apple cake is plenty maple-y enough for me, but if you have maple extract on hand you could add a small splash to the batter and / or frosting to take things up a notch.
Can I Prep This Apple Spice Cake in Advance?
Absolutely! This fresh apple cake tastes exponentially better after a few hours of assembling, so I highly recommend making ahead of time and covering with a cake cover. If the cake has been refrigerated, let it come to room temperature (about 1-2 hours) before serving. You can also bake the cake the day before you plan on frosting it. Let cake layers cool completely, then tightly wrap the layers individually in plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
How to Store Fresh Apple Cake
This apple spice cake with cream cheese frosting should be stored in an airtight container or well-covered with plastic wrap to protect it from drying out. It can be stored at room temperature (if less than 70 degrees F) for two days, or will last in the refrigerator for up to one week. Let cake (slices) come to room temperature before serving, or I like to microwave mine for 10-15 seconds.
Can I Freeze Apple Cake?
To freeze FROSTED Apple Spice Cake: To freeze UNFROSTED Apple Spice Cake:
Looking for More Apple Desserts?
Apple Pound CakeApple CrispCream Cheese Apple DipCaramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Apple DumplingsCaramel Apple Poke CakeCinnamon Apple CookiesSalted Caramel Apple Pie Blondies
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