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The Best Spiced Apple Cake

A moist and flavorful apple cake infused with warm spices and topped with creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

  • Total Time: 48 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1½ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 cups finely shredded apples (about two medium to large apples)
  • 1½ cups soft light brown sugar (firmly packed)
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup unflavored vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup whole milk (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp vanilla essence/extract
  • 1 cup finely shredded apple (about 1 medium to large apple)
  • ¼ cup soft light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 tsps cornstarch
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 tsps lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 4½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1½ cups cream cheese (cold, firm type)
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract/essence
  • 1½ tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 180 °C (350°F) for a standard oven. If you’re using a convection oven, adjust accordingly.
  2. Grease two 8-inch cake tins; parchment paper is optional for easier removal.
  3. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Grate two apples finely, ensuring you have about 2 cups of grated apple.
  5. In another large bowl, combine brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla essence, and the grated apple. Whisk until smooth.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined.
  7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake tins and bake for 30-33 minutes.
  8. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cakes are done.
  9. Let the cakes cool in the tins for 20 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For the apple filling, combine shredded apple, brown sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a saucepan on low heat. Stir until thickened.
  11. For the frosting, whip unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla extract, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
  12. Assemble the cake by layering the apple filling and frosting between the two cooled cake layers and frosting the outside.
  13. Slice and serve.

Notes

Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.

  • Author: miguel-santiago
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 33 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 56g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: apple, cake, dessert, spiced, cream cheese frosting