Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting

 

Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting – A Slice of Autumn Comfort

When the leaves start to fall and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing more comforting than the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and baked apples filling your kitchen. This Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting is the ultimate cozy dessert — moist, fluffy, and full of seasonal flavors. The tender cake gets its richness from fresh apples and warm spices, while the brown sugar frosting adds a caramel-like sweetness that takes it over the top.

It’s a beautiful dessert for autumn gatherings, holiday tables, or simply treating yourself to a slice of pure comfort with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

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🍎 Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp ground allspice

• 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups apples, peeled and finely chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)

For the Brown Sugar Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed

• ¼ cup milk

• 2–2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

   • Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan (or two 8-inch round pans if you want a layer cake).

2. Prepare the Cake Batter

   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

   • In a large mixing bowl, beat together oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.

   • Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

   • Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined.

   • Fold in chopped apples.

3. Bake the Cake

   • Pour batter into prepared pan(s).

   • Bake for 35–40 minutes (for 9×13) or 25–30 minutes (for 8-inch pans), until a toothpick comes out clean.

   • Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.

4. Make the Brown Sugar Frosting

   • In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

   • Stir in brown sugar and cook for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly caramelized.

   • Add milk, bring to a boil, then remove from heat.

   • Cool slightly, then gradually beat in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.

5. Frost & Serve

   • Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake.

   • Slice and enjoy with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, if desired.

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Tips for a Perfect Apple Spice Cake

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance, or sweet Honeycrisp for a richer flavor.

• Chop apples finely so they distribute evenly throughout the cake.

• If the frosting thickens too much, add a splash more milk to loosen it.

• For extra crunch, fold in chopped walnuts or pecans with the apples.