✨This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Fresh apples, warm cinnamon spices, and a thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting? Yep, we’re doing fall baking right! This homemade apple spice cake brings all those cozy fall flavours together in one soft, tender, apple-packed cake.
Made from scratch with real diced apples, a cinnamon-forward blend of ginger, nutmeg, and allspice, and a little sour cream for extra richness, this cake keeps things wonderfully uncomplicated. It’s all baked in one square pan, then finished with creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting that balances out all that sweet, spiced goodness. Nothing fancy, no layers to fuss with, just good old-fashioned cake with plenty of apple in every bite.
And since we’re fully embracing apple season over here, you might as well add my apple cranberry crisp and cinnamon and apple rolls to your baking list. Or, for something a little less dessert-y, try these air fryer sliced apples. Because apparently, once the apples come out, there’s no stopping us!
We’re keeping the fall flavours rolling! This spiced apple cake is recipe #6 in my Fall Recipe Series, and trust me, there’s a whole lot more autumn goodness to dig into!
✳︎ Why You’ll Love This Apple Spice Cake
- Real apples in every bite. No applesauce or artificial apple flavour here! Just fresh, finely diced apples scattered throughout the cake.
- Warm spices that know their place. Cinnamon takes the lead, while ginger, nutmeg, and allspice bring a little extra cozy without stealing the show.
- Soft, tender, and full of flavour. Oil and sour cream help create a moist crumb that lets those juicy apple pieces shine.
- That cream cheese frosting, though. Rich, creamy, slightly tangy, and just the right contrast to the sweet apples and warm spices.
- One pan, zero fuss. No stacking layers or fancy decorating required. Just bake, frost, slice, and enjoy!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Nothing too fancy happening here! Just a handful of baking staples, a few warm spices, and plenty of fresh apples. Here’s what you should know about the ingredients that really make this apple spice cake shine.
Fresh Apples
We’re using 2 cups of peeled, finely diced fresh apples for plenty of real apple flavour in every bite. Aim for pieces about ¼-inch in size so they distribute evenly throughout the batter and soften as the cake bakes without leaving big, soggy pockets. The apples also add natural moisture, so don’t be tempted to toss in extra without adjusting the recipe.
The Spices
This isn’t just an apple cake with a sprinkle of cinnamon! We’re using 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ginger, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of allspice for that cozy, unmistakable spice cake flavour. Cinnamon takes centre stage, while the other spices add warmth and depth without overpowering the fresh apples. No cloves needed here!
Out of cinnamon? Check out my guide to cinnamon substitutes for a few alternatives, although I definitely recommend sticking with cinnamon for the best flavour in this cake!
Cream Cheese Frosting
Because what’s a warm, spiced apple cake without a little cream cheese frosting on top? The combination of full-fat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla creates a rich, creamy frosting with just enough tang to balance the sweet apples and warm spices. It’s a little indulgent, sure, but we’re baking cake here!
Find the full ingredient list and exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Andrea’s Tips for a Moist Apple Spice Cake
A few little baking tricks can make all the difference between a soft, tender apple cake and one that’s a little too dense or gummy. Here’s what to keep in mind!
- Don’t overmix the batter. Once the dry ingredients go in, use a gentle hand! Fold everything together until just a few streaks of flour remain, then add the apples and finish mixing. Too much stirring can make the cake tough instead of tender.
- Keep those apple pieces small. Aim for roughly ¼-inch pieces so the apples are evenly distributed throughout the cake. Bigger chunks can release too much moisture in one spot, leaving you with soggy pockets instead of a nice, even crumb.
- Keep an eye on the oven. Every oven is a little different, so start checking toward the earlier end of the baking time. The centre should spring back lightly when touched, and a toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. Just make sure you haven’t poked straight into a juicy apple piece!
- Let it cool completely before frosting. I know, waiting is the hardest part! But spreading cream cheese frosting over a warm cake is a one way ticket to a melty mess. Give it time to cool so that frosting stays thick, creamy, and right where it belongs.
What Apples Are Best for Apple Spice Cake?
For the best flavour and texture, I recommend using firm, sweet-tart apples that hold their shape while baking. You want those little apple pieces to soften into the cake without completely disappearing or turning into mush. Here are my top picks:
- Honeycrisp: My top choice! They’re naturally sweet with just enough tartness, and they hold up beautifully in the oven while keeping that fresh apple flavour front and centre.
- Pink Lady: Another fantastic option with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. They have a bold apple flavour that pairs especially well with all those warm spices.
- Granny Smith: Love a little extra tartness? These are your apples! Their tangy flavour provides a nice contrast to the sweet cake and cream cheese frosting.
- Gala: A good option if that’s what you’ve got on hand. They’re sweeter and milder than the others and tend to soften a little more during baking, but they’ll still do the trick!
My advice? Go with Honeycrisp or Pink Lady if you can, but don’t let a different apple variety stop you from baking this cake. As long as your apples are fresh and reasonably firm, you’re off to a good start!
NEW! NEW! NEW!
Fall Recipe Series
Check out my new series featuring easy and delicious fall recipes! You’ll find everything from cozy comfort food to seasonal favourites made for soaking up every last bit of fall.
How to Store Apple Spice Cake
Since this apple snack cake is topped with cream cheese frosting, it’s best stored in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container or cover it tightly to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any funky fridge smells. Nobody wants onion-flavoured cake!
For the best flavour and texture, let your slice sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before digging in. This gives the frosting a chance to soften and brings back some of that lovely, tender cake texture. Trust me, it’s worth the little wait!
Apple Spice Cake FAQs
more from my fall recipe series
Can’t get enough of those cozy fall flavours? You’re in luck! This apple spice cake is part of my Fall Recipe Series, and there are plenty more seasonal goodies where this came from. From comforting dinners to sweet little snacks, here’s what else is cooking!
- Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi. Rich, creamy, and full of pumpkin goodness.
- Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Soup. A cozy bowl of fall comfort.
- Maple Pecans. Sweet, crunchy, and seriously snackable.
- Butternut Squash Mushroom Risotto. Creamy, cozy, and worth every stir.
- Pumpkin Turkey Meatballs. A savoury little twist on pumpkin season.
Made this recipe? ⭐️ If you tried it, leave a star rating in the recipe card! It helps other home cooks know it’s worth making (and makes my day, too!).
Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Video
Ingredients
For the Apple Spice Cake
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ¾ cup (150 g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup neutral oil (such as avocado or vegetable oil)
- ½ cup full-fat sour cream (room temperature)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled apples (about 2 medium apples) (diced into small pieces )
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz (226 g) full-fat block cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1.5 cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon (optional, for finishing)
Instructions
Make the Apple Spice Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract, whisking until fully combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold until just a few streaks of flour remain. Avoid overmixing.
- Add the diced apples and gently fold until evenly distributed and no dry flour remains. Stop mixing as soon as everything comes together.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 38–45 minutes, checking toward the earlier end of the range. The centre should spring back lightly when touched, and a toothpick inserted into the middle should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift it out, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with an electric hand mixer until completely smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until creamy, smooth, and fluffy.
Frost and Serve
- Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using a spatula. Finish with a light dusting of cinnamon, if desired. Cut into 9 large or 12 smaller squares and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Don’t skip the good stuff —
scroll up above the recipe card for ingredient notes, tips & tricks, and easy swaps/variations.Made it? Tell me everything.
I LOVE seeing what you made! Tag @hiphipgourmet on Instagram (or use #hiphipgourmet) so I can see it — then rate it + upload your photo below. 💖
Now go grab those apples and get baking! If you make this fresh apple cake with cream cheese frosting, I’d love to see how yours turns out, so snap a pic and tag @HipHipGourmet on social media!
Save this one for later?
