Apple Spice Cake Recipe
This apple spice cake is everything I love about fall. Aromatic, spiced, and deliciously sweet, this easy apple spice cake with caramel sauce is the perfect way to welcome in the fall season.
Apple Spice Cake Recipe
This apple cake recipe is my way of introducing fall into my home. While I may not get the best fall foliage or coolest of weather here in Southern California, I do have access to some amazing produce, including beautiful apples.
This apple spice cake isn’t your usual apple bundt cake nor is it your typical apple spice cake with cream cheese frosting. Heck, this isn’t even a classic French recipe.
Instead, this apple spice cake embraces the simplicity and effortless approach of a French home baker. This apple spice cake will bring you comfort and pleasure with minimal prep.
No fancy bundt pan for you to grease like crazy out of fear your cake won’t flip out, nor is there any need to frost this beauty as a simple scoop of ice cream and/or caramel sauce on top will do just fine.
Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Sauce
This scrumptious cake is made with fresh apples for a tender and moist crumb. The recipe for this chunky apple spice cake is from one of my favorites on TV, Ina Garten a.k.a. the Barefoot Contessa.
I personally love her recipes because
- They always turn out fantastic.
- The recipes are typically a wonderful combination of casual and sophisticated.
- Most of the recipes are fuss-free.
This moist spiced apple cake is the kind of cake that can be made in one bowl with ease. The cake batter can be mixed in no particular order, baked in a large pan, and then stored at room temperature.
No decorating, no frosting, no whisking egg whites; basically, there’s no fuss! All you need to complete a slice of this fresh apple cake is a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Spice Cake Mix
While you may be tempted to make a Betty Crocker apple spice cake using spice cake mix, I really recommend you try this cake recipe from scratch. As I mentioned, this apple spice cake recipe is super easy to make.
More than its simplicity, this apple spice cake shines in its flavors and sensational fragrance. When I was mixing the batter for this cake, adding in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, I just knew that this cake would taste like the epitome of fall.
With all those warm spices, how could it taste like anything else?
And then as the cake was baking, the aroma started wafting through my apartment, overwhelming my senses each time I opened the oven door to check on the cake.
The cake itself is incredibly moist and littered with rum-soaked, golden raisins, tart apples, and toasted pecans. Each bite of this apple spice cake delivers the blissful notes of the fall season, with the warmth of nutmeg and cinnamon enveloping you in a comforting embrace.
The diced apples and plump raisins are a mixed burst of sweetness and tartness, and work to further moisten this apple spice cake. With a cool scoop of rich vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, all I want to do is snuggle under a blanket and give in to the tantalizing spell of fall’s irresistible harvest.
Apple Spice Cake Recipe
A moist and delicately spiced apple cake recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/2 cup rum
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp grated orange zest
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 3-4 granny smith apples, large, small, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/4 inch cubes
- Vanilla ice cream, to garnish
- Caramel Sauce, to drizzle on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13x2 inch baking pan. Toast the pecans on a baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes; set aside.
- Add the rum and raisins to a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a sheet of plastic wrap; microwave for 1 minute, then set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and orange zest on medium speed. Once combined, add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves; mix until smooth. The batter will be very thick.
- Drain the raisins before adding them to the batter. Add the apples and pecans too, then use a rubber spatula to fold them all into the batter. Spread this batter in your prepared pan, smoothing it out.
- Bake the cake for 35 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool until it’s barely warm or room temperature before cutting into squares. Serve with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Notes
adapted from Barefoot Contessa
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 12 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 569
Ina can do no wrong! And I’m the same way when it starts getting the teensiest cold 🙂 this is the perfect cake for fall!
Seriously, she is so awesome! Thanks so much Amy <3
With you there.. with all this autumnal talk of pumpkins and apples, I have an overwhelming urge to get baking with all those lovely spices, pears and warm caramel sauce – even though we are coming into spring and warmer days! This cake looks absolutely gorgeous – I love how you added raisins and pecans, and that melting vanilla ice cream makes me just want to grab a spoon and dig straight in. X
Thanks so much, Claudia! I always crave autumn and its baked good deliciousness, no matter the time of year, so I don’t blame you for craving it. 🙂 And the melting vanilla ice cream on top of the cake is just the best finishing touch – you’ll love it! Thanks so much for stopping by XO
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try this. I’m a little jealous of your California weather though. I’m in Dubai where it hasn’t been below 105 in months!
Wow! 105….I would melt! I have been to Dubai before…it was late July many years ago, and I still remember how humid and hot it was so I totally know what kind of heat you are talking about. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such kind words!
Well, I feel ya girlfriend! I’m not sure what my perfect temperature is but Im a total weakling when it comes to weather. I’m still trying to figure it out here in NC… we were in the 50s in the morning and 70s in the afternoon- so jeans and boots? I mean I am a FL girl, to me these Temps justify a light sweater! But it is back to 80s today and then cold again tomorrow. I can’t keep up! Anyways, apple spice cake can be eaten anytime- hot or cold- just hand me a spoon the size of a shovel! And back away! 😉 Ina does make some great food, but with the Beeta touch? Watch out world! This apple spice cake is where it is at! This looks terrifically moist and super flavorful! Absolute perfection, my dear! Love love looooove! Cheers, doll face- to a day as lovely as a slice of this cake!
Oooh that’s the worst when weather keeps changing like that – it’s so hard to dress for it! And you’re too kind! I will grab a shovel and join you because when there’s cake and friends…why not!? :p Thank you so much for your sweet sweet words. I hope you are enjoying your break and I can’t wait to see what you whip up when you’re back in the kitchen! <3
This cake is gorgeous Beeta! I would just love a slice, especially that one right there topped with ice cream. I love nutmeg and cinnamon flavours in baked goods – it warms the soul!
Thank you, Jess! I’m such a fan of fall spices too – they make everything that much better! :p
No doubt Ina knows how to do simple elegance. I adore her recipes too, Beeta. And this cake is no exception. The plump, rum-soaked raisins, fresh Fall spices and apples have me absolutely drooling here! Your photographs capture all that and more. Indeed, it has started to cool here.. yet I too, am still in a tank, but with cooler breezes coming through the opened door, I can feel Fall on the way. Looking forward to cozy sweaters, wool socks and cups of hot cocoa for sure. Wishing you cooler weather, my dear!
Thank you, Traci! Exactly, Ina is the queen of simple elegance! I am looking forward to the cozy sweaters and hot cocoa too – I’ll be looking out for it with you! XO
Mmmm, I love apple cake so much! This looks beautiful Beeta, and the ice cream on top adds the perfect final touch. This looks like the ultimate comforting cake filled with deliciousness! Another amazing creation! <3
Thank you, Harriet! The ice cream is such a great contrasting component – really round outs the cake. XO
Oh I love Ina Garten as well. One of my favorites to watch on Food Network. This spice cake looks fantastic and so easy to whip up!
Thanks so much, Kelley! Ina is fantastic <3
Love Ina. My favorite chef
Great recipes!
I agree, Ina rocks! 🙂