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Why I Love This Apple Cake
Nothing says fall quite like apples, and this spiced apple cake is one of my all-time favorites. I use a mix of homegrown apples from my orchard, often whatever variety is ripe and ready to go. The combination of butter and oil makes for an incredibly moist crumb, while the generous amount of cinnamon and a hint of allspice give it that warm, spicy depth that you want in a fall dessert.
This cake makes enough to serve a crowd, whether you’re hosting brunch, planning a cozy dinner, or just need something sweet with your afternoon coffee. And the glaze is a quick caramel-style finish that soaks into the cake and makes every bite better than the last.
Here’s why you’ll love to make this cake, too:
- Filled with real apple flavor and perfectly spiced
- Extra moist thanks to a combination of both oil and butter in the batter
- Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead baking
- Bakes beautifully in a tube pan for easy slicing and serving
Spiced Apple Cake Ingredients
Each ingredient in this cake is included for a reason, so you end up with the most delicious dessert:
- Neutral oil and butter – Keep the cake moist while adding some flavor and richness.
- Sugar – Sweetens and balances the spice.
- Eggs, all-purpose flour, and baking powder – Provide structure and richness.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warm, aromatic flavor.
- Kosher salt – Enhances and balances all the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon and ground allspice – These two spices add that classic fall warmth!
- Apples – The heart of the cake; make sure to choose apples that bake well.
- Brown sugar, milk, and powdered sugar – All form the base of the glaze that gets drizzled over the top of the cake once baked.
- Calvados (apple brandy) – An apple-flavored brandy that helps to add even more seasonal flavor to the glaze. Because it’s alcohol, this is an optional addition, but I really do feel like it adds so much!
- Walnuts – These are also an optional addition, but they do add crunch and some nuttiness.
The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make Spiced Apple Cake
This spiced apple cake is the perfect weekend recipe to make, but it’s also easy enough to make on a weeknight, too! Here’s how to make it:
Mix the wet ingredients – Cream the oil, butter, and sugar together until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients – Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and allspice. Mix just until combined. Fold in chopped apples, being careful not to overmix.
Bake the cake – Pour the cake into a tube pan greased with nonstick spray and smooth the top. Place into the preheated 350°F oven for 70-80 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes, then invert and remove.
Make the frosting – While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring consistently. Take it off the heat, then add milk and Calvados. Stir in powdered sugar and salt until smooth.
Frost – Immediately drizzle the frosting over the cooled cake and let it set before slicing and serving.
Recipe Tips
- Use a tube pan with a removable bottom for easy release.
- Fold in the apples gently to avoid breaking them down. You want some pieces of the apples in this cake, so you know what you’re eating!
- Sift your powdered sugar to prevent lumps in the glaze.
- Cool the cake before glazing so it soaks in but won’t melt off.
- Use a piece of parchment under the cake when drizzling on the frosting. The glaze will drip down the sides of the cake, so a piece of parchment keeps things clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course! The cake will still bake beautifully without the walnuts. It will just be a little softer in texture and slightly less crunchy. If you’d like, you can swap out the walnuts for a different nut of your choice, or sprinkle some on top.
Yes! The liquor adds some additional apple flavor to the glaze, but it’s still delicious without it. You can replace the liquid with milk or cream, but it’s not necessary.
You definitely can, but the baking time will be different. I would suggest baking for 25-30 minutes to see if they’re done. You’ll want a skewer inserted into the middle to come out mostly clean.
Follow These Tips
Serving
Once the cake has been frosted with the glaze, it’s ready to serve! It’s perfect when paired with coffee or tea, or you can make it even better with whipped cream or ice cream. It makes a lovely centerpiece for fall brunch or dessert tables, and works great as a breakfast or end to an evening meal.
Storage
- Room temperature – Place in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate – Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze – Freeze whole or in slices for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. When ready to use, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour to thaw.
More Fall Dessert Recipes
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Spiced Apple Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 cup neutral oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- 3 cups peeled and sliced apples
- 1 cup toasted walnuts
For the frosting
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp Calvados (apple brandy) (optional)
- ¾ cups powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 10-inch tube pan (angel food cake pan) with nonstick baking spray and set it aside.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the oil, butter, and granulated sugar, and beat until well combined, 2-4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, making sure they are well incorporated before adding the next. Add the vanilla extract, and mix until incorporated.1 cup neutral oil, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and allspice. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just incorporated, and only a few dry streaks remain. Fold the prepared apples and cooled walnuts into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp kosher salt, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp allspice, 3 cups peeled and sliced apples, 1 cup toasted walnuts
- Bake in the preheated 350°F oven until the cake is brown on top and an inserted skewer comes out clean with only a few crumbs attached, 70-80 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Then, turn out onto a cake plate and make the frosting.
- Prepare the frosting: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the brown sugar and butter. Stir to dissolve sugar and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes and remove from heat. Add the milk, vanilla extract, and Calvados (if using). Whisk, add the powdered sugar, and whisk again until smooth.½ cup light brown sugar, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 tbsp whole milk, 2 tbsp Calvados (apple brandy) (optional), 1 tsp vanilla extract, ¾ cups powdered sugar
- Frost: Immediately drizzle the frosting over the cooled cake. Slice and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Styling: Addelyn Evans | Photography: Dera Burreson
This recipe was easy to put together and flipping delicious 😋 yes it’s April but I had so many apples 🍎 that were absolutely not going to waste! So delicious 😋 I wish I could share a picture.
Delicious! I made into cupcakes and they worked great. I think my bake time was around 25-30 minutes because its a dense batter and they turned out very tender with a wonderful apple flavor. The icing is so easy and tasty. I could just eat that with a spoon. Thanks!
Can you leave out the pecans cuz I don’t have them. The cake sounds good and going to try this for church on Sunday and don’t have liquor or nuts
This cake is absolutely delicious!! Loved it! I’ve made a lot of cakes, this one is now one of my favorites!!
I just watched your video on how to make this cake and I’m now obsessed with your channel! I’ve learned so many great little tips already. Your holiday decor and gardening content is fabulous as well. So inspiring!
xo,
Laine
The Apple Cake looks amazing! I’m going to have to try this love the extra touch of brandy in the frosting…????