Why does this cake call for butter and oil?

While the butter is browned in this recipe to add a deep flavor and richness to the cake, oil is traditionally added to fruit-based cakes to aid in a moist crumb that holds up well to refrigeration.

Can I substitute the pecans for another type of nut?

If you aren't a fan of pecans, walnuts or almonds complement apples nicely. You can also skip the nuts entirely, and garnish with apple chips or a drizzle of caramel .

Can I top this cake with a different type of frosting?

Apple spice cake pairs well with a variety of frostings, including vanilla buttercream , orange buttercream , bourbon buttercream , and more.

Apple Spice Cake Recipe

Apple Spice Cake cut into squares — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:

50 mins

Total Time:

3 hrs 40 mins

Servings:

This apple spice cake is fall embodied in a dessert. The crumb is ultra-moist and tender, thanks to grated apple (which is well worth the effort!) and is punctuated by the nutty crunch of toasted pecans throughout. It has an underlying caramel flavor from browned butter and brown sugar, and warm notes from clove and nutmeg in the batter.

Often added to spice mixes, including pumpkin pie spice, cloves get a chance to shine as the prominent spice in this cake. Cloves are actually dried flower buds and contain eugenol, a powerful aromatic oil that gives them an intense, bittersweet heat. So, while you may be tempted to eyeball the half teaspoon of it in the batter, too much will easily overwhelm this dessert.

As far as cream cheese frostings go, the one we finish this cake with is super light and fluffy. The orange zest beaten in also adds a bit of brightness that complements the cozy cake.

The Best Apples for Baking

When it comes to baking, different apples have wildly different results. Before you grab your next batch of apples for baking, consider some key points:

Talk to your grocer: They know which apples perform best when baked, and can make recommendations for local varieties you may not have tried.
Go for classics: Honeycrisp apples are crisp, sweet, and hold their shape when baked, whether whole or sliced for a pie. Granny Smith apples are also wonderful for incorporating into pies and other baked goods, adding a tart bite that softens gently in the heat of the oven.
Taste before choosing: When possible, taste your apples to know the level of sweetness and the texture. Certain sweet varieties, like McIntosh, Jonagold, and Golden Delicious, are delicious to snack on, but break down easily, making them ideal for preparations like homemade applesauce.

For this spice cake recipe, we recommend using Fuji apples. These sweet, juicy apples are great for snacking, but also hold up well when grated into the cake. If you're working quickly, their rosy red skin can be left on while grating to incorporate a little color into the mix.

Ingredients for Apple Spice Cake

The ingredient list for this apple cake might look long, but most are pantry staples you probably already have on hand. To make this cake, you'll need:

For the cake:

Unsalted butter: Browned to give the cake a deep, nutty flavor.
All-purpose flour: The base of the apple cake, the medium protein content of all-purpose flour makes for a soft, but hearty cake.
Baking powder: Leavens the cake.
Baking soda: Adds lift and aids with browning.
Ground cloves: Adds a subtle spicy note to the cake batter; can be substituted with ground cinnamon.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a nutty, warm spice to the cake.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavor of the cake.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter.
Light brown sugar: Adds a hint of molasses for extra depth.
Orange zest: Adds a bright, citrusy note to the cake that balances the spice.
Large eggs: Adds volume to the batter.
Vegetable oil: Makes for a tender, moist crumb.
Fuji apples (peeled and grated): Adds fresh apple flavor to each bite.
Toasted pecan pieces: For a nutty crunch. Can be left out if needed, or swapped for dried fruit.

For the frosting:

Cream cheese: Tanginess that balances the sweetness of the apple cake.
Unsalted butter: Pairs with cream cheese as the base of the frosting.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Orange zest: Adds even more citrusy punch to the cake.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle vanilla flavor to bring depth to the frosting.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.

ingredients for apple spice cake — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Apple Spice Cake

Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with spray; line with parchment, letting excess extend over sides of pan.
Step 2. Melt butter and cook, stirring occasionally, until light brown in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool 30 to 35 minutes.
Step 3. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, and salt to combine; set aside. Stir together sugars and orange zest; whisk in eggs. Whisk in oil and brown butter. Whisk in flour mixture just until combined. Fold in apples and pecans.
Step 4. Spread batter into pan; bake 35 to 38 minutes, loosely covering with foil at the end of baking to prevent excessive browning, if needed. Cool 15 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely.
Step 5. Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Add zest, vanilla, and salt; beat to incorporate.
Step 6. Frost cake and garnish with pecans and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

How To Prepare Apple Spice Cake in Advance

To prepare this cake in advance, bake the cake as directed. Cool completely, then wrap and freeze for up to three months. Defrost at least two hours or overnight; frost the day before or day of serving and refrigerate until ready to serve.

How To Store Apple Spice Cake

Refrigerate leftover apple cake wrapped or in an airtight container for up to five days. Freeze for longer storage (up to three months).

More Apple Dessert Recipes You'll Love

Fall might be pumpkin season, but apple-based desserts are crowd-pleasers that will never go out of style. Check out some of our favorite recipes for using up that bounty of fresh fall apples:

Southern Living Apple Spice Cake cut into 9 pieces to serve — Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

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Ingredients

Cake:

3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg, plus more for garnish
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. grated orange zest
3 large eggs, at room temperature
6 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups peeled, grated Fuji apples (from 3 apples)
1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces, plus more for garnish

Frosting:

1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 1/2 tsp. grated orange zest
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

Prepare oven and pan:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray; line with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pan.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Brown the butter:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until light brown in color and has a nutty aroma, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour brown butter into a medium bowl. Let stand until barely warm to the touch, 30 to 35 minutes.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make batter:

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Stir together sugars and orange zest in a large bowl until combined; whisk eggs into sugar mixture until combined. Gradually whisk in vegetable oil and brown butter. Gradually whisk in flour mixture just until combined. Fold in apples and pecans.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Add batter to pan:

Spread batter into prepared pan; tap pan on counter a few times to release any air bubbles.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Bake cake:

Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 35 to 38 minutes, loosely covering with aluminum foil during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Using excess parchment paper as handles, remove cake from pan, and let cool completely, about 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Prepare the frosting:

Add cream cheese and butter to bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating on low speed until all sugar is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl between additions. Increase speed to medium-high; beat until frosting is fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add orange zest, vanilla, and salt; beat on low speed just until incorporated, about 30 seconds.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Assemble the cake:

Place Cake on a plate or cake stand, and spread frosting over top. Garnish with additional toasted pecans and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this cake call for butter and oil?

While the butter is browned in this recipe to add a deep flavor and richness to the cake, oil is traditionally added to fruit-based cakes to aid in a moist crumb that holds up well to refrigeration.
Can I substitute the pecans for another type of nut?

If you aren't a fan of pecans, walnuts or almonds complement apples nicely. You can also skip the nuts entirely, and garnish with apple chips or a drizzle of caramel.
Can I top this cake with a different type of frosting?

Apple spice cake pairs well with a variety of frostings, including vanilla buttercream, orange buttercream, bourbon buttercream, and more.