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Apple Spice Cake Recipe

Apple Spice Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 18 reviews

This Apple Spice Cake is a moist, flavorful loaf cake infused with warm autumn spices and fresh grated apple, balanced with apple cider to add moisture and tang. Topped with a smooth cinnamon glaze, this cake makes a perfect sweet treat for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings.

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 (pressed between paper towels to remove excess moisture)

Cinnamon Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1/2 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, allowing the edges to hang over the sides for easy removal. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl sides to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Scrape the bowl sides as needed to maintain a uniform batter.
  4. Add Vanilla: Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg until evenly blended.
  6. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and the apple cider to the butter and egg mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  7. Fold in Grated Apple: Remove the bowl from the mixer and gently fold in the grated apple using a spatula to preserve texture and moisture without overmixing.
  8. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and place it on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the cake begins to brown excessively toward the end, tent loosely with aluminum foil.
  9. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and cool it in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper edges, lift the cake out and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
  10. Make Cinnamon Glaze: Sift powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk and the ground cinnamon. Whisk until smooth and free of lumps. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar if too thin, or more cream/milk if too thick.
  11. Glaze the Cake: Drizzle the cinnamon glaze evenly over the cooled cake before serving.

Notes

  • Press grated apples between paper towels before folding into batter to reduce excess moisture and prevent soggy cake.
  • Use apple cider rather than apple juice to add depth of flavor and slight acidity.
  • If the cake browns too fast during baking, tent with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
  • This cake is best enjoyed the day after baking when flavors have melded, but can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with vegan margarine and use a plant-based milk for the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple spice cake, fall dessert, cinnamon cake, apple cake, loaf cake, spiced cake, autumn baking

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