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Apple Spice Cake Recipe

Apple Spice Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 7 reviews

A moist and flavorful Apple Spice Cake featuring warm spices and fresh grated apple, topped with a smooth cinnamon glaze. Perfect for cozy autumn days or any time you crave a comforting homemade cake.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 1/3 cup fresh apple, peeled and grated (excess moisture removed with paper towels)

Cinnamon Glaze

  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy cake removal. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl sides as needed.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then add vanilla extract and mix to combine.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly mixed.
  5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the apple cider in two additions. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Fold in Grated Apple: Using a large spatula, gently fold in the grated and well-drained fresh apple. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  7. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake on the center rack for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the cake begins to brown too fast, tent it with foil.
  8. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully lift the cake out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
  9. Prepare Cinnamon Glaze: In a medium bowl, sift powdered sugar. Add heavy cream or whole milk and ground cinnamon, whisking until smooth and lump-free. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or more cream/milk to thin.
  10. Glaze the Cake: Drizzle the cinnamon glaze evenly over the cooled cake. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Make sure the grated apple is well-drained using paper towels to prevent excess moisture and sogginess in the cake.
  • Using fresh apple cider (not apple juice) adds depth and a slight tartness to the cake batter.
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer, use a hand mixer or mix by hand vigorously for creaming butter and sugars.
  • The cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and use a non-dairy milk alternative in the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple spice cake, cinnamon cake, apple cake recipe, homemade cake, fall dessert, spiced cake with glaze

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/apple-spice-cake-recipe/