Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Introduction

Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, spiced dessert that celebrates the natural sweetness and tartness of apples. The cake itself is packed with grated fresh apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and often a hint of vanilla, making it soft, tender, and flavorful. What takes it to the next level is the silky, tangy cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cake.

This dessert is especially popular in the fall, but its comforting flavors make it a year-round favorite. It works equally well as a casual family dessert, a coffee-time treat, or the star of a festive table.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it blends the hominess of apple cake with the indulgence of cream cheese frosting. The cake alone is delicious—moist, spiced, and full of apple flavor—but when paired with the smooth, tangy frosting, it becomes unforgettable. It’s simple enough to make on a weekday but also elegant enough to serve at a holiday gathering.

The aroma that fills the kitchen while baking this cake is reason enough to love it. Plus, it’s versatile—you can bake it in a 9×13 pan, as a layer cake, or even as cupcakes.

Why This is a Must-Try Dish

• Perfect flavor balance – sweet apples, warm spices, and tangy frosting.
• Moist & tender texture – thanks to fresh apples.
• Crowd-pleasing – ideal for gatherings, holidays, or potlucks.
• Customizable – works with nuts, raisins, or caramel drizzle.
• Comforting & festive – a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40–45 minutes
• Cooling & Frosting Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling)
• Servings: 12 slices
• Calories: ~420 kcal per slice

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: American
• Course: Dessert / Cake

Ingredients

For the Apple Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground allspice (optional)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
• 2 cups peeled and grated apples (about 2 medium apples, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3–3 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tbsp milk or cream (if needed for consistency)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Prepare cake batter with apples and spices.
2. Bake in a greased pan until golden and cooked through.
3. Cool completely.
4. Beat cream cheese frosting until smooth.
5. Spread over cooled cake and serve.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1 – Prepare the Pan & Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan (or line with parchment paper).

Step 2 – Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Step 3 – Cream Butter & Sugars

• In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
• Stir in vanilla and sour cream.

Step 4 – Combine Batter

• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
• Fold in grated apples and nuts (if using).
• Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Step 5 – Bake

• Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6 – Make Frosting

• Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing until creamy.
• Stir in vanilla. Add milk/cream if needed for spreadable consistency.

Step 7 – Frost & Serve

• Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake.
• Slice into squares or rectangles.

How to Serve

• Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Sprinkle with extra cinnamon or chopped nuts for garnish.
• Pair with a hot drink like coffee, tea, or cider.
• For a festive touch, drizzle with caramel sauce.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Use tart apples (like Granny Smith) for balance, or Honeycrisp for natural sweetness.
• Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting, or the frosting will melt.
• Sift powdered sugar before adding to frosting for smooth texture.
• If baking in round pans, you can turn this into a layer cake.

Variations

• Apple Spice Cupcakes – bake in a muffin tin and top each with frosting.
• Caramel Apple Cake – drizzle caramel sauce over frosting.
• Apple Raisin Cake – fold ½ cup raisins into the batter.
• Gluten-Free Version – substitute with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting – add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the frosting.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigeration: Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing (unfrosted cake): Freeze cooled cake (without frosting) for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw before frosting.
• Freezing (frosted cake): Freeze slices on a tray until solid, then wrap individually and freeze for up to 1 month.

Special Equipment Needed

• 9×13-inch baking pan (or two 9-inch round pans for layers)
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or hand mixer
• Spatula
• Cooling rack

Conclusion

Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a dessert that combines homestyle comfort with bakery-worthy indulgence. The moist, spiced apple cake paired with tangy, creamy frosting makes it an unforgettable treat perfect for any season, especially fall. Whether you serve it for a holiday gathering, birthday, or cozy family dessert, this cake is a must-try that will win hearts with every bite.

Print Recipe

Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Author: Emily Clark Cuisine: American Courses: Deserts

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 45 mins Rest Time 60 mins Total Time 2 hrs 5 mins

Servings: 12 Calories: 420 kcal per slice

Description

Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, spiced dessert that celebrates the natural sweetness and tartness of apples. The cake itself is packed with grated fresh apples, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and often a hint of vanilla, making it soft, tender, and flavorful.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Apple Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground allspice (optional)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
• 2 cups peeled and grated apples (about 2 medium apples, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz (225 g)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 ½ 3–3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp 1–2 milk or cream (if needed for consistency)

Instructions

1. Step 1 – Prepare the Pan & Oven : Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan (or line with parchment paper).
2. Step 2 – Mix Dry Ingredients : In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
3. Step 3 – Cream Butter & Sugars : In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Stir in vanilla and sour cream.
4. Step 4 – Combine Batter : Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Fold in grated apples and nuts (if using). Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
5. Step 5 – Bake : Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Step 6 – Make Frosting : Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing until creamy. Stir in vanilla. Add milk/cream if needed for spreadable consistency.
7. Step 7 – Frost & Serve : Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Slice into squares or rectangles.

Keywords: Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting