Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing Recipe
This Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing is a moist and flavorful dessert perfect for autumn. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and featuring tender chunks of fresh apples, this cake offers a delightful balance of sweetness and spice. Topped with a rich and creamy brown sugar icing, it’s an irresistible treat for gatherings or cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup peeled and diced apples
Brown Sugar Icing
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan to ensure the cake does not stick.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly mixed and set aside.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the batter.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually blend in the dry ingredient mixture alternately with the applesauce, mixing just until combined to maintain tenderness. Fold in the diced apples gently to distribute them evenly.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Prepare the icing: While the cake cools, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture reaches a bubbling point.
- Finish the icing: Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar until the icing is smooth and creamy.
- Ice the cake: Once the cake is completely cool, pour the brown sugar icing over the top, allowing it to set and create a flavorful glaze.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is fully cooled before icing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- You can substitute diced pears for apples if desired for a different fruit flavor.
- Use unsweetened applesauce to avoid adding extra sugar to the cake batter.
- For a more intense spice flavor, increase cinnamon to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: apple spice cake, brown sugar icing, autumn dessert, spiced cake, moist cake recipe
