Apple Spice Cake Recipe
This Apple Spice Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert that combines the warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with fresh chopped apples and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for autumn gatherings or an everyday treat, it’s finished with optional crunchy walnuts or pecans for added texture and taste.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (about 2 large apples)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Set aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Incorporate Sour Cream: Gradually add the sour cream to the wet mixture, mixing just until it is combined to maintain moisture.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just blended to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cake.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Carefully fold in the chopped apples and nuts, if using, to distribute them evenly throughout the batter without breaking the fruit down too much.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the prepared batter into the greased baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula for an even bake.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing. This ensures it sets well for easier serving.
Notes
- For extra moistness, make sure not to overmix the batter once the flour is added.
- Apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well because they hold their shape and add a nice tartness.
- Walnuts or pecans add a pleasant crunch, but you can omit them for a nut-free version.
- Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang; if unavailable, plain yogurt can be substituted.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: apple cake, spice cake, autumn dessert, baked apple cake, cinnamon cake, apple dessert recipe