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Apple Spice Cake Recipe

Apple Spice Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 14 reviews

This Apple Spice Cake is a moist, flavorful loaf cake infused with warm cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg spices, featuring fresh grated apple and a splash of apple cider for extra moisture and tartness. Finished with a smooth cinnamon glaze, it’s perfect for cozy fall breakfasts or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 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 (moisture absorbed between 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 (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, letting it extend over the edges for easy cake removal later.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the room temperature 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 the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract until combined, scraping down the sides as necessary.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the apple cider. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until incorporated.
  6. Fold in Grated Apple: Remove the bowl from the mixer and gently fold in the grated apple using a large spatula, taking care not to overmix to maintain airiness.
  7. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake on the center oven rack for 55 to 60 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too fast near the end, tent it with foil.
  8. Cool the Cake: Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the cake out of the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before glazing.
  9. Make Cinnamon Glaze: In a medium bowl, sift the powdered sugar. Add the heavy cream or milk and cinnamon, whisking until smooth and lump-free. Adjust thickness by adding more powdered sugar or cream as needed.
  10. Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle the cinnamon glaze evenly over the top of the cake. Let set before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Store this cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
  • This cake can be frozen. Wrap it well in plastic and foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before glazing.
  • Place grated apples between paper towels to absorb excess moisture, preventing a soggy cake.
  • If you prefer a thinner or thicker glaze, adjust the amount of liquid or powdered sugar accordingly.
  • Tag @brownedbutterblondie on Instagram if you try this recipe!

Nutrition

Keywords: apple spice cake, apple cake, cinnamon cake, fall dessert, loaf cake, moist cake, homemade cake, spice cake with glaze

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