Name: Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened (113 grams/8 Tablespoons); 1 3/4 cups sugar (350 grams); 2 large eggs (room temperature); 1 cup applesauce (preferably unsweetened); 2 cups peeled & grated or finely diced apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith); 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour or gluten-free flour* (270 grams); 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon cloves; 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; Buttermilk syrup; Whipped cream; Vanilla ice cream

There’s something wonderfully cozy about biting into a warm, tender slice of this Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of sweet spices and juicy apples that makes it stand out on any dessert table or afternoon snack. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep it in your regular rotation.

A white round plate holds a piece of brown cake with a moist, crumbly texture, covered with a shiny, thick caramel sauce flowing slightly over the edges. A silver fork is breaking a small bite from the cake, showing a soft, dense inside soaked with the caramel sauce. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a green apple and a white pitcher visible nearby. Another plate with a similar cake piece and caramel sauce is partially seen in the background. A white cloth is casually placed near the front edge of the frame. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this cake — the house smelled like fall in every corner, and the texture was just perfect. It’s moist but not too dense, and those warm spices with fresh apples make it so comforting. You really can’t go wrong with this classic.

Double Apple Satisfaction: This cake uses both applesauce and fresh apples for an extra moist and flavorful result.
Warm Spice Blend: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves combine to create that quintessential autumn taste you’ll adore.
Simple Ingredients & Steps: No fancy or hard-to-find ingredients, making this approachable for any home baker.
Versatility: Great served plain, with a drizzle of syrup, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a special treat.

A single square piece of brown cake with a moist texture sits in the center of a small white plate, topped with a thick layer of shiny caramel sauce that drips down the sides onto the plate. The background shows two apples, one green and one red, slightly out of focus, and a glass bottle of milk. A silver fork is placed on a white cloth napkin in the foreground on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe plays a key role in bringing out flavors and textures that are simply irresistible. Using fresh apples and applesauce together balances moisture with the fresh, tart bite of apples, while the warm spices give the cake its signature comforting aroma.

Flat lay of a small slab of pale yellow softened butter on a simple white ceramic plate, a mound of white granulated sugar in a small white ceramic bowl, two whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells resting next to a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth pale beige applesauce, a neat pile of peeled and finely diced green Granny Smith apple pieces on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl holding fine all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon of warm brown color, another small white bowl containing finely ground nutmeg with a sandy texture, a small white bowl filled with dark brown ground cloves, a small heap of fine white baking soda powder close by, a quarter teaspoon mound of baking powder in a tiny white bowl, and a small pinch of fine white salt all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps create a light, fluffy cake texture when creamed with sugar.
Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with browning during baking.
Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the cake together; room temperature eggs blend better.
Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture without extra sweetness, keeping the cake tender.
Fresh Apples: Peeled and grated or diced, they add natural sweetness, texture, and bursts of fresh flavor.
All-Purpose Flour (or gluten-free alternative): The base of the cake, handling the structure and crumb.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Cloves: Classic warm spices that bring out the apple’s flavor and create that cozy vibe.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the cake rise just right.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this cake a little depending on the season or who I’m baking for. The base is perfect as is, but you can easily make it your own and have fun with add-ins or serving style.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with great success — just make sure your blend has xanthan gum if it doesn’t contain it already.
Spice Boost: For an extra warm kick, I add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom. It’s subtle but really elevates the flavor.
Nutty Crunch: Toasted walnuts or pecans mixed into the batter or sprinkled on top add a delightful texture contrast.
Frosting Option: While the cake is wonderful on its own, cream cheese frosting makes it a perfect cake for celebrations and adds a creamy tang.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

First things first, get your oven heating to 375°F. I like to grease my 9x13-inch metal pan with butter—it gives a subtle richness to the edges—or use a nonstick spray. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier cleanup and to help you lift the cake out if you want to slice it more neatly.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk your flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures your spices and leaveners are evenly distributed so every bite has that perfect flavor and rise. Set this aside for now.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

This part takes a little time—2 to 3 minutes of creaming butter and sugar together with a mixer until it’s light and fluffy is totally worth it. It traps air that helps your cake rise and creates that lovely tender crumb. Don’t rush it here if you can help it.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Applesauce

Beat in your eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This keeps your batter from breaking or separating. Then stir in the applesauce; I always use unsweetened to control the sweetness level better.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Fresh Apples

Now, gently mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture—don’t overmix here, just combine until you see no streaks of flour. Then add your peeled and grated or finely diced apples. I recommend Honeycrisp or Granny Smith because they hold up well and have a nice tartness to balance the sweetness.

Step 6: Bake

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out evenly. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. The cake will have a deep, golden brown color—that’s a good sign! If you notice it browning too fast towards the end, tent it loosely with foil to prevent burning.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cake cool on a wire rack before cutting into slices. This helps it set up and prevents crumbs. My favorite way to serve is with a drizzle of buttermilk syrup or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but you can also frost it if you’d like. Store leftovers in the fridge wrapped well for 2-3 days, and it keeps its moisture beautifully.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found these tips really help you nail the perfect Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples every time. Pay attention to these little details and your cake will be the star of your next gathering!

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensuring your eggs and butter are room temp allows for better mixing and a smoother batter.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, stir just enough to combine; overmixing develops gluten and can toughen up the cake.
Use Fresh, Crisp Apples: Fresh apples that are firm keep the texture interesting inside the soft cake rather than turning mushy.
Watch Your Bake Time: Since ovens vary, start checking your cake around 30 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying it out.

How to Serve Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of serving this cake simply topped with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of homemade buttermilk syrup. On special occasions, I add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—both bring that lovely creaminess to balance the spices and apple sweetness.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee, making it perfect for brunch or afternoon tea. If you’re serving it as dessert, a small scoop of tart sorbet or a fresh fruit salad complements it nicely without overpowering the flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, try serving the cake in individual ramekins topped with a cinnamon stick, fresh apple slices, and a sprig of mint. It adds charm and a splash of color to the table, great for holiday gatherings or dinner parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the cake moist and flavorful for up to three days. It’s perfect for snack time or an easy dessert on busy evenings.

Freezing

You can freeze this cake either whole or in individual slices. I wrap it well in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. It holds up surprisingly well and thaws overnight in the fridge, ready to enjoy the next day.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I usually pop a slice in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds or reheat gently in a low oven just until warm. This revives the spices’ aroma and soft texture without drying the cake out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of apples in the Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe?

Absolutely! While I prefer Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for their balance of sweetness and tartness, Fuji, Braeburn, or Pink Lady apples will also work nicely. Just pick a variety that’s crisp and not too soft.

Can I make this Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum or another binder. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.

How do I keep the apples from turning brown before baking?

You can toss the peeled and grated or diced apples in a little lemon juice before adding them to the batter. This helps slow down browning and keeps the flavors fresh.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Definitely! The cake actually tastes great a day after baking since the flavors have time to meld. Just store it covered tightly at room temperature or in the fridge, depending on your kitchen’s temperature, and bring to room temp before serving.

Final Thoughts

Sharing this Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe feels like giving you a hug in cake form. It’s reliable, comforting, and packed with that warm, nostalgic flavor we all crave sometimes. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do—and maybe it’ll become your go-to recipe when you want something that feels like home.