Apple Spice Cake
Apple Spice Cake – This delicious apple spice cake has the perfect blend of warm spices and a gorgeous texture, thanks to a double-dose of apple goodness.
Every so often, I post a recipe here that I just can’t seem to find the words to describe.
This is one of those recipes.
Please, may I beg you, implore you, beseech you, dear reader, to try this apple spice cake!!!
This isn’t your average apple cake. It isn’t your average spice cake. It is the heavenly best of both worlds.
3 Reasons To Love This Cake Recipe:
- It’s Got THE BEST Texture. This is the most moist cake I have ever EVER made. Thanks to the applesauce, butter, and sugar, it’s got a gorgeous texture you’ll fall hard for.
- It’s Perfectly Spiced. The spice amounts may seem like a lot, but when you bake it, everything blends together in the most beautiful synergistic way, and the end flavor is incredible.
- It’s Got A Double Dose Of Apple. The combination of grated fresh apple and applesauce really help the apple flavor shine.
BONUS REASON: I may also point out, that this cake is the PERFECT pair with my buttermilk syrup or some easy caramel sauce. Caramel apple vibes, anyone? Just saying.
Tips & Tricks For This Apple Spice Cake Recipe:
The Best Apples For Apple Cake. Not all apples bake the same, and some hold their shape better than others. Our two favorite kinds of apples for apple spice cake are sweet, tart apples, like Honeycrisp apples and Granny Smith apples. Both have great balanced flavor that works well with the spices, and they won’t go totally mushy or mealy when baked. (Braeburn & Pink Lady are two other nice choices!)
Measure Your Flour Carefully! To avoid a dense or gummy cake, take care to measure the flour properly. I recommend weighing the flour when possible, but at least use the scoop and level method if you don’t have a scale!
Can I Make This As An Apple Bundt Cake? If you’d like to make this in a bundt pan, make sure you grease the bundt pan properly first, as it’s a very moist cake and is more likely to stick. (I recommend adding sugar to the pan after greasing, which can help the cake come out.) Also follow these guidelines for converting cake recipes to fit different cake pans. It’ll take 50-60 minutes or so in a 10-12 inch bundt pan.
Can I Make This Gluten-Free? Yes! It should work. Or, you can make this gluten-free apple spice bundt cake I shared over at Sweets & Thank You.
More Yummy Desserts To Love:
- Gluten-Free Apple Spice Bundt Cake – Sweets & Thank You (Our Sister Site!)
- Almond Flour Pumpkin Cake With Cinnamon Frosting
- Gluten-Free Lemon Cake
- Almond Flour Banana Cake With Chocolate Ganache
Apple Spice Cake
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 (9×13) cake 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delicious apple spice cake recipe has the perfect blend of warm spices and a gorgeous texture, thanks to a double-dose of apple goodness.
Ingredients
For The Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (8 Tablespoons)Â
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup applesauce (I prefer unsweetened)
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and grated (I like Honeycrisp or granny smith apples)
For The Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups (270 grams) flour
- 2–3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13″ metal pan with butter or spray. Â
- In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.Â
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer or spatula 2-3 minutes, until light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Mix in eggs, one at a time till well incorporated.
- Stir in applesauce and apples.
- Add the dry ingredients mixture and gently stir or mix till all dry ingredients are just mixed in. Don’t over-mix.
- Pour cake batter into the prepared baking dish..
- Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
- Serve with buttermilk syrup, caramel sauce, or vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cake, spice cake, apple spice cake
I’ve podted here b4 about how incredibly delishy this cake turns out, and always fab texture: I was gonna try and get creative, though, and add shredded carrots, maybe decreasing either the amount of apples or lessening the applesauce?? For balancing to get a good carrot flavor in as well..What do you think, is that going a tad too far from the recipe I love??
Hi Nina!
I love the idea of giving this a carrot twist, but I haven’t tested it yet. Apples typically have more moisture than carrots, so if you also reduce the applesauce, it might turn out on the dry side.
Again, since I haven’t tested this at all I can’t guarantee results, but if I were going to start with this, I might try using half apples/half carrots but keeping everything else the same. Or, you can try using all carrots instead of grated apples, but I’d keep the applesauce in for the first try! I’d love to know how it goes for you–happy experimenting!
I am going to make this cake on Saturday. Do you have any suggestions for baking at a high altitude (6200 ft.)? Usually it involves more flour & water.
Hi! I’m not at high altitude myself, but these high altitude baking tips are my favorite to recommend!
Will a cream cheese frosting go with this delicious looking apple spice cake, or is your buttermilk syrup better?
It’s totally a personal preference. I love the buttermilk syrup or caramel sauce, but if you’re a cream cheese frosting fan, you can absolutely use that!
Can this recipe be used for muffins?
Hi! I haven’t tried it but it’s quite moist, so it might just stick to the muffin liners. If it’s muffins you’re after, I’d recommend this recipe!
I made today and my family loves it. Was easy to make, very moist.
★★★★★
So glad you loved it Deb! It’s one of my favorites.
Hi. Just out of the oven and looks delicious!
I’ll repost after it’s devoured!
★★★★★
As promised, it’s as delicious as hoped. The texture and moisture is very good. I didn’t have applesauce or cloves, so added an additional egg and a blend of Asian Five Spice Powder and Pumpkin Pie Spice — and will next time add sliced apples. Oh, I served it with Eggnog Ice Cream. Delicious!
★★★★★
That sounds delicious! So glad it worked out for you! (That eggnog ice cream combo sounds fabulous!)
Can this be made in a bundt pan?
It’s quite moist, so it may stick to a bundt pan. If it’s a bundt you’re after, we love this recipe!