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Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A warm and inviting Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, perfect for fall gatherings and home celebrations.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ⅔ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 ½ cups grated apple (about 2 medium apples)
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, brick-style
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream (as needed)
Optional
  • Chopped walnuts for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  3. In another bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, both sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Stir in the applesauce, grated apple, and sour cream to the wet mixture until just blended.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, gently mixing on low speed until just combined.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Make the Frosting
  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the cream cheese and mix until creamy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to beat until fluffy. Add heavy cream as needed to achieve your desired frosting consistency.
Frosting the Cake
  1. Once the cake has cooled, frost generously with the cream cheese frosting.
  2. Sprinkle chopped walnuts on top for an extra crunch, if desired.
Serve
  1. Slice, serve, and enjoy the comforting flavors of this Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Notes

Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for depth of flavor. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.