This apple spice cake with cream cheese frosting will give you all the fall vibes. Apples, cinnamon, cream cheese and caramel is what makes this cake an ideal fall dessert. It’s simple to make and is one delicious treat!
What better way to celebrate fall then by having a slice of this apple cake. Caramel, subtly spiced cake layers and apples is such a tasty combination for fall bakes. So kick off fall with this delicious apple spice cake with cream cheese frosting!
What is an Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
This moist cake is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. These three spices add the perfect hint of fall flavors. Grated apples are added into the cake to keep the cake moist. The cake is frosted with smooth and fluffy cream cheese frosting. The cream cheese has a hint of caramel added. Pour caramel sauce over the cake to give it that beautiful caramel drip and more caramel flavor.
Ingredients needed for apple cake
For the cake layers:
- Flour
- Eggs
- Sugar: We will be using a mixture of white and brown sugar. Brown sugar gives more flavor and makes the cake moist.
- Oil: Any neutral oil will work
- Applesauce: To keep the cake moist.
- Apple: One medium-large apple, grated
- Spices: A combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. This combination gives a subtle spice flavor to the cake.
- Leavening agents: A combination of baking powder and baking soda is used to ensure the cake rises.
- Vanilla extract
For the cream cheese caramel frosting:
- Cream cheese: Full fat cream cheese is used.
- Sugar
- Heavy whipping cream: To give the frosting a light and fluffy texture.
- Caramel: Feel free to make your own caramel or use store bought caramel.
Overview of making the apple spice cake
Cake Layers:
- Whisk dry ingredients: Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.
- Beat the rest of ingredients: Beat the eggs, sugar and oil in a mixing bowl until combined. Add the applesauce and vanilla extract and beat until just combined.
- Mix the two mixtures together: Add the flour mixture to the mixer and beat until incorporated. Then stir in grated apples. Evenly pour batter among three baking pans.
- Bake the cake until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in baking pans. Then cool completely on cooling rack.
Cream cheese frosting:
- Whisk heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form and set aside.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until fluffy. Add the caramel and beat until combined.
- Add the whipped heavy whipping cream and beat on low speed until just combined.
Assemble:
Place one cake layer on cake stand. Frost with generous amount of frosting. Repeat layers until all layers are frosted. Pour caramel over cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Optional: Drizzle caramel over the frosting in each cake layer. This gives a rich caramel flavor.
Tips for success
- Do not over mix the cake batter when you add the flour. Mix until the flour is incorporated. Then stir the apples with a spatula.
- Measure flour correctly by spooning flour into the cup and leveling with a butter knife.
- Lightly pack the brown sugar. This gives just the right amount of sweetness.
- This cake uses a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. These three spices give the cake a nice flavor. However, I do not use a lot of the spices. If you want the cake to have a deeper spice flavor add a bit more cinnamon or other spices. Feel free to use your favorite trio of spices or ratio that suits you.
What kind of apples should I use?
I prefer using honey crisp apples. They are crunchy, sweet and slightly tart. The balance of sweet and tart makes them the perfect addition to this cake. You can use any kind of apples that you like. However, I would only recommend that you use crunchy/crisp apples. I use one medium apple. A large apple will work as well. If you’re using a small apple, double or use 1 ½ of an apple.
More apple desserts you may like:
HAPPY FALL BAKING!
If you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you. Comment and rate below. I would also love to see your creation! Share your photo by tagging tasty_treat_pantry on Instagram.
PrintRecipe
Apple Spice Layer Cake
This apple spice cake will give you all the fall vibes. Apples, cinnamon, cream cheese and caramel is what makes this cake an ideal fall dessert. It’s simple to make and tastes amazing!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8–10 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
Cake
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup lightly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- â…” cups vegetable oil
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- â…“ cup applesauce
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ – 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- â…›–¼ teaspoon ginger
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored and grated
Frosting
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- â…“ granulated sugar
- Up to ¼ cup caramel
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Additional caramel for topping
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line three, 8 inch pans with parchment paper.
- Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.
- Beat eggs, oil, and sugars until combined.
- Add applesauce and vanilla extract. Beat until incorporated.
- Add the flour mixture and beat until flour is just incorporated.
- Stir in grated apples.
- Evenly divide the batter among the three cake pans.
- Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean and dry.
- Cool for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Frosting
- In a mixer, whisk heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
- Add the caramel and beat until combined.
- Add whipped heavy whipping cream and mix on low speed until just combined. If you see streaks of cream cheese or heavy whipping cream finish mixing with a spatula until the frosting is smooth.
Assemble
- Place one cake layer on cake stand. Add a generous amount of frosting. Repeat with all cake layers.
- Pour caramel over cake.
Notes
- Do not over mix the cake batter when you add the flour. Mix until the flour is incorporated. Then stir the apples with a spatula.
- Measure flour correctly by spooning flour into the cup and leveling with a butter knife.
- Lightly pack the brown sugar. This gives just the right amount of sweetness.
- This cake uses a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. These three spices give the cake a nice flavor. However, I do not use a lot of the spices. If you want the cake to have a deeper spice flavor add a bit more cinnamon or other spices. Feel free to use your favorite trio of spices or ratio that suits you.
Jackie
What is the best caramel to use?
nataliyadudley
Jackie,
Any caramel would work. I usually use Torani Caramel Sauce. You can slightly warm up the caramel in the microwave to make it more runny so it’s easier to add the drizzle.
Nataliya
Luba
Very,very good cake ! Thank you🙂
nataliyadudley
I’m gland you liked it!