There’s something almost magical about the smell of autumn baking, isn’t there? That cozy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and warm apples just instantly makes you feel like curling up with a good book. And my absolute favorite way to capture that feeling? This incredible Apple Spice Cake. Trust me, it’s ridiculously moist, bursting with flavor, and so easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight. I remember my first fall in this house, the leaves were just starting to turn those brilliant reds and golds, and all I wanted was a slice of pure comfort. I threw this cake together without even really looking at a recipe, just following my nose and my taste buds, and it turned out to be pure perfection. It’s become my go to every single year!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Spice Cake
Okay, let me tell you why this Apple Spice Cake is just the best! It’s not just me being biased, it’s genuinely fantastic. You’ll see!
- Super Easy to Make: Seriously, you don’t need to be a master baker for this one. It comes together in minutes with just a couple of bowls.
- Packed with Flavor: That perfect mix of warm spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – with sweet, tender apples is just heavenly. It’s pure comfort food in cake form!
- Incredibly Moist Texture: Thanks to the apples and the oil, this cake stays wonderfully moist for days. It’s the kind of cake that just gets better and better.
- Perfect for Fall (and Anytime!): It’s the ultimate taste of autumn, but honestly, I bake it all year round when I need a cozy treat. It’s always a hit!
- Uses Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need in your pantry right now, making it perfect for a spontaneous baking session.
- Smells AMAZING: Your whole house will smell like a cozy autumn dream while this bakes. It’s seriously one of the best kitchen aromas there is.
- Versatile Serving: Enjoy it plain, with a dusting of powdered sugar, maybe a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce – it’s delicious any way you slice it.
Gather Your Ingredients for Apple Spice Cake
Alrighty, let’s get our shopping lists sorted! To bake the most amazing Apple Spice Cake, you’ll need these goodies. Just a heads-up, making sure your apples are peeled and diced means they’ll bake down perfectly into wonderfully tender bites throughout the cake. And using packed brown sugar? That’s key for that extra soft texture and lovely caramel-y depth. Remember, good ingredients make a good cake!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples
Essential Equipment for Baking Your Apple Spice Cake
To whip up this delightful Apple Spice Cake, you won’t need a whole lot of fancy gadgets. Just a few trusty kitchen staples will do the trick:
- A good old 9×13 inch baking pan – this is perfect for getting that nice, even bake.
- A couple of mixing bowls, one for your dry ingredients and one for the wet.
- A sturdy whisk for getting those dry ingredients nice and combined.
- And a trusty spatula for scraping every last bit of batter into the pan!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Apple Spice Cake
Alright, let’s get this delicious Apple Spice Cake in the oven! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a warm, fragrant, and unbelievably moist cake in no time. It’s truly a straightforward process, perfect for anyone who wants that homemade goodness without a fuss.
Prepping Your Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get our oven nice and hot! Go ahead and preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab your 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a good grease and flour. This step is so important to make sure your beautiful cake doesn’t stick!
Combining the Dry Ingredients for Your Apple Spice Cake
In a large bowl, grab your whisk and combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisking them all together now means all those lovely spices and the baking soda are evenly spread out. You want every bite to have that perfect spice mix, and this is how you get it!
Mixing the Wet Ingredients
Now, for the wet stuff! In a separate bowl, dump in your granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Give it a good mix until everything looks happy and combined. You want it smooth and ready to party with the dry ingredients!
Bringing the Batter Together
Here comes the magic! Pour those wet ingredients into the big bowl with your dry stuff. Now, mix them together until they’re *just* combined. Seriously, no need to go crazy here. Overmixing can make your cake a little tough, and we want tender goodness, right?
Adding the Apples and Finishing the Batter
Almost there! Gently stir in your milk, making sure it’s incorporated, and then fold in those lovely diced apples. Give it a final gentle stir to make sure those apples are distributed throughout. You want little bursts of apple goodness in every single slice!
Baking Your Delicious Apple Spice Cake
Pour all that yummy batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Now it’s time for the oven! Bake for about 40 to 50 minutes. The best way to know it’s done is to gently insert a wooden skewer or a little knife into the center. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready to go!
Cooling and Serving Your Apple Spice Cake
Once it’s baked perfectly, let your cake hang out in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it set up a bit. After that, carefully flip it onto a wire rack to cool completely. We like to serve it just like this, or with a light dusting of powdered sugar. It’s pure deliciousness!
Tips for the Best Apple Spice Cake
Want to make sure your Apple Spice Cake is absolutely perfect? I’ve baked this thing so many times, and a few little tricks really make all the difference. Don’t skip these, trust me!
First off, the apples! Use a firm apple that holds its shape, like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala. Mushy apples will just turn to applesauce in the cake – and while tasty, it’s not the texture we want here. Also, remember that ‘don’t overmix’ rule? It’s super important for keeping this cake tender and light. Just mix until everything is *barely* combined. Overworking the flour can lead to a tough cake, and nobody wants that! For more fall baking inspiration, check out my pumpkin bread recipe too!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Apple Spice Cake
Let’s talk ingredients for our Apple Spice Cake! Most of this is pretty standard pantry stuff, but a couple of things are worth chatting about.
For the apples, like I mentioned, firm varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala are your best bet. They bake up lovely and tender without turning to mush. If you’re all out of vegetable oil, a neutral-flavored oil like canola or even melted unsalted butter (about 3/4 cup) works in a pinch. It might change the texture just a tiny bit, but it’ll still be delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Spice Cake
Got questions about my famous Apple Spice Cake? I’ve got answers! Baking should be fun, not frustrating, so let’s clear up any little things you might be wondering about.
Can I make this Apple Spice Cake ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! This cake actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors really meld together. Just make sure it’s completely cooled, then wrap it up snugly. It’s perfect for prepping before a busy day!
What are the best apples for this Apple Spice Cake?
You’ll want to use apples that are a bit firm and hold their shape when baked, honestly! Think Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples. They give you that lovely tender apple bite without turning into mush, which means more delicious apple flavor in every slice.
How should I store leftover Apple Spice Cake?
Storing is a breeze! Once your cake is completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep beautifully at room temperature for a couple of days, or you can pop it in the fridge if you want it to last even longer. Any leftovers from my pumpkin bread also store well this way!
Nutritional Information
Just a little note from my kitchen to yours the nutritional info below is an estimate, of course! Things can vary based on the exact brands you use and, well, exactly how much you sneak from the pan (we won’t tell!). This Apple Spice Cake is a treat, so enjoy it!
Share Your Apple Spice Cake Creations!
I just LOVE hearing from you all! If you make this Apple Spice Cake, please, please let me know how it turned out. Drop a comment below, give it a star rating, or share your baking triumphs! Your feedback means the world and helps other home bakers too. Happy baking!
Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the milk and diced apples until evenly distributed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.