There’s something magical about the combination of warm spices and fresh apples baked into a tender, moist cake. This Spiced Apple Cake is everything you love about fall and winter baking rolled into one spectacular dessert. With layers of cinnamon-spiced cake studded with grated apples, a sweet apple filling, and crowned with cream cheese buttercream, this recipe will become your go-to holiday dessert.
Whether you’re planning your Christmas baking menu, searching for the best holiday treats, or simply craving a cozy dessert that fills your home with irresistible aromas, this spiced apple cake checks all the boxes. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to create this showstopper!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Spiced Apple Cake
This isn’t just any apple cake. The secret lies in the perfectly balanced blend of spices – cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg – that create a warm, aromatic flavor profile. The finely grated apples keep the cake incredibly moist, while the homemade apple filling adds an extra burst of fruity sweetness between the layers.
The cinnamon cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch, offering a tangy-sweet contrast that complements the spiced cake beautifully. Plus, this recipe is straightforward enough for beginner bakers but impressive enough to wow your holiday guests.
Essential Ingredients for Spiced Apple Cake
For the Spice Cake
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2¼ cups (270g) | Plain flour in the UK |
| Cornstarch | ¼ cup (30g) | Keeps cake tender |
| Baking powder | 1½ tsp | For lift and structure |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp | Helps with browning |
| Salt | ½ tsp | Enhances flavors |
| Ground cinnamon | 2½ tsp | Main spice |
| Ground ginger | 1½ tsp | Powdered, not fresh |
| Ground cloves | ½ tsp | Adds warmth |
| Ground nutmeg | ½ tsp | Classic spice note |
| Shredded apples | 2 cups (300g) | About 2 medium-large apples |
| Light brown sugar | 1½ cups (300g) | Firmly packed |
| Large eggs | 3 | Room temperature |
| Vegetable oil | 1 cup (210g) | Canola works great |
| Whole milk | ¼ cup (60g) | Room temperature |
| Vanilla extract | 2 tsp | Pure is best |
For the Apple Filling
The homemade apple filling is what makes this cake extra special. You’ll need finely shredded apple, brown sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, fresh lemon juice, and butter. This filling cooks down into a thick, glossy mixture that stays perfectly in place between the cake layers.
For the Cream Cheese Buttercream
The frosting combines room-temperature butter, powdered sugar, cold firm cream cheese, vanilla extract, fresh lemon juice, and ground cinnamon. The key is using cold cream cheese to maintain the frosting’s stability and prevent it from becoming too soft.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Spiced Apple Cake
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and greasing two 8×3 inch cake pans. Sift together all the dry ingredients including flour, cornstarch, leavening agents, salt, and spices in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined to ensure even distribution of spices.
Finely grate your apples – you’ll need about two medium to large apples to get two cups of grated apple. Any red baking apple works beautifully, such as Royal Gala, Jazz, or Honey Crisp. Remove the cores before grating.
In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla, and grated apples. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The sugar should dissolve completely into the wet ingredients.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Mix just until combined – overmixing will result in a tough cake. The batter should be thick but pourable.
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans and bake for 30-33 minutes. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Making the Apple Filling
While the cakes cool, prepare your apple filling. Combine one cup of finely shredded apple, brown sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, lemon juice, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the butter and sugar melt completely.
Continue cooking for a few more minutes until the mixture thickens to a jam-like consistency. Transfer to a bowl to cool completely before assembly – warm filling will melt your frosting!
Creating the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the room-temperature butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the powdered sugar in three separate batches, mixing on low speed between each addition.
Add the cold cream cheese, vanilla, fresh lemon juice, and cinnamon. Mix on medium speed just until smooth. Be careful not to overmix – the more you mix, the softer the frosting becomes. If the frosting gets too soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes to firm up.
Assembly Tips
Level the tops of your cooled cake layers with a serrated knife for a professional look. Place the first layer on your cake stand and spread a generous amount of cream cheese buttercream on top.
Using a 1M piping tip, pipe a dam of frosting around the edge of the cake layer. This prevents the filling from leaking out the sides. Fill the center with the cooled apple filling, spreading it evenly within the frosting dam.
Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with the remaining buttercream. Use a cake scraper or offset spatula to smooth the sides. Finish by piping decorative swirls on top using the 1M tip.
Pro Tips for Perfect Spiced Apple Cake
Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures proper mixing and a smooth batter. Take your eggs and milk out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
Don’t overmix the batter: Mix just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a dense, tough cake.
Grate apples finely: Finely grated apples distribute more evenly throughout the batter and keep the cake extra moist.
Cool the apple filling completely: This is crucial! Warm filling will melt your frosting and create a mess during assembly.
Use cold cream cheese: Cold cream cheese helps maintain the frosting’s structure. If your frosting becomes too soft, refrigerate it before frosting the cake.
Store properly: This cake stays fresh at room temperature for one day, but refrigerate it for longer storage. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely! Any firm baking apple works well. Royal Gala, Jazz, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji apples are all excellent choices. Avoid soft apples that break down easily.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the cake layers up to two days in advance, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. You can also freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to three months. Make the filling and frosting the day of assembly for best results.
Why is my frosting too soft?
This usually happens from overmixing or using cream cheese that’s too warm. Use cold cream cheese straight from the refrigerator, and mix just until smooth. If the frosting becomes soft, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes.
Can I use a stand mixer instead of a hand mixer?
Yes! Use the paddle attachment and follow the same mixing instructions. Be extra careful not to overmix the frosting.
How do I store leftover cake?
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Can I make this as cupcakes instead?
Absolutely! This recipe makes about 24 cupcakes. Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes. Top with the cinnamon cream cheese frosting and a small dollop of apple filling.
Make This Spiced Apple Cake Your Holiday Tradition
This Spiced Apple Cake is everything a holiday dessert should be – impressive, delicious, and filled with warm, comforting flavors. The combination of moist spiced cake, sweet apple filling, and tangy cream cheese frosting creates a dessert that’s truly unforgettable.
Whether you’re adding it to your Christmas baking lineup, bringing it to a holiday party, or simply treating your family to something special, this spiced apple cake delivers on every level. The aroma of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg filling your kitchen is almost as delightful as that first bite!
Ready to create this stunning holiday dessert? Gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to bake the most delicious spiced apple cake you’ve ever tasted. Your friends and family will be asking for this recipe for years to come!
PrintSpiced Apple Cake Recipe : The Ultimate Holiday Dessert
This spectacular Spiced Apple Cake features moist, tender layers loaded with fresh grated apples and warm spices, filled with homemade apple filling, and topped with cinnamon cream cheese buttercream. Perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions!
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 33
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
2¼ cups (270 g) all purpose flour
¼ cup (30 g) 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 (300 g) finely shredded apples
1½ cups (300 g) soft light brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup (210 g) vegetable oil
¼ cup (60 g) whole milk, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (150 g) finely shredded apple (for filling)
¼ cup (50 g) soft light brown sugar (for filling)
2 tbsp water
2 tsp cornstarch (for filling)
½ tsp ground cinnamon (for filling)
3 tsp lemon juice
¼ cup (56 g) unsalted butter
1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
4½ cups (570 g) powdered sugar
1½ cups (335 g) cream cheese, cold
1½ tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
1½ tbsp lemon juice (for frosting)
½ tsp ground cinnamon (for frosting)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 8×3 inch cake tins.
2. Sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg in a bowl. Whisk until combined and set aside.
3. Finely grate 2 apples (minus cores) and measure out 2 cups (300g). Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla and shredded apple. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
5. Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Distribute batter evenly into two 8-inch cake tins and bake for 30-33 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Allow cakes to cool in tins for 20 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
8. For the apple filling: Add shredded apple, brown sugar, water, cornstarch, cinnamon, lemon juice and butter to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until butter and sugar melt.
9. Continue cooking until filling is thick, then transfer to a bowl to cool completely.
10. For the frosting: Beat room-temperature butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
11. Add powdered sugar in 3 batches, mixing on low speed between each addition.
12. Add cold cream cheese, vanilla, lemon juice and cinnamon. Mix on medium speed just until smooth. Avoid overmixing.
13. Level the tops of cooled cake layers with a serrated knife.
14. Place first cake layer on a cake stand and spread buttercream on top.
15. Using a 1M piping tip, pipe a dam of frosting around the edge. Fill center with cooled apple filling.
16. Place second cake layer on top and cover with remaining buttercream. Use a cake scraper to smooth the sides.
17. Pipe decorative swirls on top with the 1M tip.
Notes
Use room temperature eggs and milk for best results.
Any red baking apple works well – Royal Gala, Jazz, Honey Crisp, or Granny Smith.
Make sure apple filling is completely cool before assembly to prevent melting the frosting.
Use cold, firm cream cheese for stable frosting. If frosting becomes too soft, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.
If using a convection oven with a fan, reduce temperature to 160°C (320°F).
Cake can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.