Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
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This Apple Spice Cake is super moist and flavorful thanks to the abundance of apples and richness of the sour cream, just like this cinnamon crumb cake, blueberry sour cream coffee cake, and this lemon poppyseed cake.
When the day starts off with that crisp early morning air, you know that Fall has arrived. People are apple picking, visiting the pumpkin patch, cozying up with blankets and movies and this Apple Spice Cake is the best addition to a fun Fall day.
Honey crisp apples are swirled throughout the cake batter that is filled with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves and the brown sugar icing on top is the perfect finishing touch! Now that I’ve made brown sugar icing, I want brown sugar icing on all the things. I think it would be totally delicious on my carrot cake bread and pumpkin banana bread, too!
The cake is great because it comes together quickly (in less than a hour), is delicious with a cup of coffee and is loaded with fresh apples that melt into the cake as it bakes! One of my other favorite apple desserts than comes together quickly is this Puff Pastry Apple Tart; everyone loves this one with ice cream on top!
4 Reasons to Love This Apple Spice Cake Recipe:
- No mixer required!! And so much easier than a layer cake.
- The brown sugar icing: I love pouring it on the cake when it’s still warm and it melts into the cake. Brown sugar has this molasses-like crave-able sweetness and it compliments the spices in the cake so well!
- Packed with fresh apples that require no chopping or peeling: just grate them using a box grater, skin on and all!
- Fluffy and moist: thanks to the sour cream, it adds moistures and richness to the cake batter that takes it to the next level.
What are the best apples to use for apple spice cake?
When you get to showcase apples in a delicious dessert, you want to make certain that you use the most flavorful variety.
- If there is one apple that is the perfect balance of sweet and tart it is the Honey crisp. I love working with Honey Crisp apples because they are known for their honey-sweet flavor and since they are so juicy they can’t help but make my Apple Spice Cake the most moist cake you will taste this fall.
- Granny smith apples are the classic go-to baking apple thanks to their yummy tart flavors.
- Braeburn apples are a delicious crisp apple that also works magnificently well in baked goods.
Ingredient Notes
For the ingredient measurements and entire recipe, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post where the recipe card is located.
- All purpose flour: spoon and level by using a spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup and use the back of a knife to level off the top of it. This helps prevent you from using too much flour than is necessary.
- Spices: you’ll need cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Be sure to check the expiration dates on your spices! You’ll want fresh for the best flavor.
- Apples: 2-3 large honey crisp apples will be plenty. You’ll grate them using the large holes on a box grater. I find this application of preparing the apple (as opposed to dicing into cubes or slicing) works best because the apples basically melt into the cake when it bakes.
- Vegetable oil: at the end of the day, vegetable oil is really great for keeping a cake supremely moist and tender. Olive oil may work, but note the flavor will be changed. This recipe hasn’t been tested with melted butter.
- Sour cream: another key contributor to the moist, tender crumb in this cake. Be sure it’s at room temperature.
- Eggs: use room temperature eggs so they mix better in the batter.
- Other ingredients needed: sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, salt, baking soda, vanilla extract, salted butter and heavy cream.
Step by Step Directions
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the bottom of the blog post to the recipe card.
- Grate the apples.
- Whisk dry ingredients together.
- Whisk wet ingredients together.
- Pour the wet into dry, fold.
- Fold in apples, then bake.
- Top with icing, slice & enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Spoon and level the flour. I know I mentioned this already above, but it’s important because too much flour will make your cake, dry and dense and too little flour the cake will be too soft with will not take shape.
- The best way to ensure your cake mixes up perfectly is to make sure the eggs and sour cream are at room temperature. Simply take them all out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you are ready to mix up this yummy, spice filled cake.
- Keep your spices fresh! Spices play a critical role in the flavors of your fall favorite recipes. So, it is important to check the expiration dates on all of your spices before you get into the baking mode. Expired spices are not dangerous for you, but as spices age over time, they will lose the intensity of their flavors and affect the overall tastiness of your baked treats. Make sure your spices are in non-porous containers and that you store them in a cool, dark, and dry pantry.
- Line the pan with parchment paper so it makes taking the cake out of the pan easy-peasy!
Variations and Substitutions
- Instead of the brown sugar icing (which I highly recommend but totally understand if you want something else), you can drizzle with caramel, spread with some apple butter or use the frosting from these banana chocolate chip bars.
- While I have not personally tested it yet, I bet this recipe can easily be made in different pans, such as a 9×13 cake pan, bundt pan or even a muffin tin. If making in a 9×13, you probably will need to double the recipes. Adjust the bake times as needed.
- If you don’t have sour cream you can always substitute full fat Greek yogurt for the sour cream at a 1 to 1 ratio. With this easy swap, you will have a similar flavor and texture.
- For some added crunch, top the cake with chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Don’t want to make with apples? Try it with grated carrots or even pears!
Can’t get enough Fall flavors?
Then you’re going to love my Fall Series. Featuring cozy and warming meals and delicious Fall-inspired desserts. We’re talking all things apple, pumpkin, maple and more!
Storage and Freezing
- My fresh Apple Cake will store for 2 to 3 days on the kitchen counter, and if wrapped in an air tight container, it will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- If you are going to freeze the cake before serving, then do not frost the cake. Bake the cake, and let it cool completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and storing in an air tight container.
- Freezer instructions: You can freeze the Apple Spice Cake for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bust into this delicious cake, thaw it over night in the refrigerator, and then frost it.
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Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cup 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
- 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, ~1 1/2 cups (can keep the skin 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
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch light colored nonstick pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.2 1/4 cup 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
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.2/3 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, room temperature, 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark), 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature, 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract, 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and fold just until combined.
- Fold in the grated apples.2-3 large honey crispy apples, grated using the large holes on a box grater, ~1 1/2 cups (can keep the skin on)
- Turn out the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack.
- To make the brown sugar icing, melt the butter, brown sugar and heavy cream in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until mixture is combined and comes to a gentle boil.1/4 cup salted butter, 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed, 2 Tbsp. heavy cream
- Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla and powdered sugar.1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- Pour the icing on top of cake. The cake doesn’t need to completely cool, when it's still a little warm, the icing melts into the cake.
- Slice and enjoy warm!
Video
Notes
- Storage: will keep 2 to 3 days on the kitchen counter, and if wrapped in an air tight container, it will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: Make the cake and allow to cool. Do not add the icing. Tightly wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then add the icing.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
This was a huge hit with my family and so easy to make! I made 1.5x the recipe and baked it in a 9″x13″ pan for 40 minutes to sheer perfection. Spices were adjusted for our preference and I used a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples. Next time I may finely dice the apples so their flavor comes through more as this one was more (delicious!) spice cake than apple spice. Great recipe and highly recommend!
Thank you so much, I am glad it was a hit! 🙂
I have made this cake multiple times and my family just loves it 😊
So glad it’s a hit with the family, thank you so much Kim!
Delicious! The frosting really made the cake. I added chopped walnuts to cake and frosting.
isn’t that icing so good?! thank you Lorri!
Fantastic recipe! The cake is so moist and flavorful and the icing was perfection. Everyone in my household loved the cake and deemed the recipe a repeater. We had it after dinner but I can’t wait to have it in the morning with a cup of coffee at breakfast. Thank you!
i am so glad it was a success! thank you soo much 🙂
Hey. Was just wondering, since I’m lazier. Lol. If I could use box cake mix, and add the sour cream to it? I plan on making the frosting though. Sounds really good. Thanks
haha I haven’t tried. but if you do lmk how it goes 🙂
I used a white box cake mix on this because my husband doesn’t like the boxed spice cake mix as it is too spicy. I cooked apples in the microwave for one minute as the cake mixes don’t take as long to cook as in this recipe; I followed this for the spices for the batter. It was really good!
Great recipe! Was a hit with the guests 😃
its so pretty! thank you!
Have you ever made it in a Bundt pan? Would the oven temperature be the same?
Oooo that would be yummy. I haven’t, but I would use the same oven temp I think that should be OK.
I made this yesterday for a dinner with friends. My dark brown sugar got a little clumpy, so for me, next time, I would use a hand blender. Loved shredding the apples on a box grater into a bowl. Removed the apples, and was left with a lot of wonderful apple juice that I happily drank! I posted a picture of the cake as it came out of the oven, it subsequently fell in the center. Maybe it wasn’t fully cooked? No matter, the brown sugar frosting will hide all imperfections! I’m not sure what I did with the frosting, but it wasn’t easy to spread after it was on the cake, so then it looked like I let my dog try to do it. Grrr…I roasted some pecans, chopped and salted them, put that on the top, and all evidence of a poor job, hidden! My husband said he was only going to have a taste to be polite (trying to lose a couple lbs), ended up eating 2 pieces 🙃
All in all, great flavor, just not sure what happened with the frosting!
Have you heard of anyone making it in a Bundt pan yet? If so, would the oven temperature still be 350?
oooo i havent. that’s a great idea. I will have to try it. 350F should be great!
Wow…this is amazing! Easy to make and love that the apples are grated (hid them from my daughter). Added bonus of having the house smell like fall. Huge hit in this house!
Yay! Such a great Fall recipe right? Thank you so much! Glad it was a hit!