When I think about the perfect fall day, I envision crimson leaves against icy blue skies, backyard football games, and piping hot mugs of cider. Of course, my perfect fall day also necessitates a big, warm slice of one of my freshly-baked healthy apple recipes. Something frosted. Or glazed. Or ice creamed. Or frosted AND ice-creamed. Fresh apple cake with cream cheese frosting, you are that apple something of my eye! This fresh apple cake is a moist, rich spice cake studded with hunks of tart apple and bits of toasted walnuts. It is scented with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice and is the kind of homey, comforting dessert we all need right now. The frosting is something special too. Thanks to a shortcut ingredient, it tastes like it’s made with caramel sauce, a perfect pairing with apple cake, BUT no making of actual caramel is required. My trick? Brown sugar. Its warm notes make the cream cheese frosting taste like caramel, but it comes together far more quickly and easily. Translation: easy apple cake = apple cake you are eating sooner rather than later. YES.
What Are the Best Apples to Use in a Fresh Apple Cake?
For the best fresh apple cake, use firm, flavorful apples like Granny Smith, Cortland, Honeycrisp, or McIntosh. These more firm varieties will hold up well during baking, and their more pronounced flavor will ensure the cake lives up to its apple-icious name.As with my Baked Apple Slices, I love using a combination of two kinds of apples for a slight variation in texture and flavor.As with this Gluten Free Apple Crisp, I do suggest that you peel apples for apple cake, because it will help create a better, smoother texture. (Apples used for a more rustic recipe, like these Hasselback Apples don’t need peeling.)
How to Make Fresh Apple Cake
Behold, a perfect and reliable apple cake recipe! It’s scratch-made and ready to be slathered in cream cheese frosting. This cake is supremely moist and apple packed. Once you try it, you will never be tempted to make a fresh apple cake with cake mix.
The Ingredients
Apples. Sweet, juicy, and beloved by all. Their flavor blends beautifully with the warm spices, brown sugar, and vanilla. Plus, apples are packed with fiber and Vitamin-C, making them a healthy addition to this cake recipe (see more health benefits here).White Whole Wheat Flour. I used white whole wheat flour in this cake for a wholesome, whole grain twist.Walnuts. For a toasty, nutty crunch.Spices. Cinnamon + nutmeg + allspice = the trifecta of cozy, fall goodness.Brown Sugar + Granulated Sugar. A combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar provides the ideal amount of sweetness and the right texture.Eggs + Greek Yogurt. Critical components for moisture and fluffy cake texture.Vanilla. The perfect complement to the warm spices and apples.Cream Cheese Frosting. But not just any cream cheese frosting. CARAMEL cream cheese frosting. This fresh apple cake is special, and it deserves a special topping to match. This delicious frosting is made from reduced-fat cream cheese, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar.
The Directions
Recipe Variations
Apple Cake with Coconut and Pecans. Swap pecans in place of walnuts, and add a sprinkle of both pecans and toasted coconut on top. New topping, same warm, happy fall feeling.Fresh Apple Cake without Walnuts. Simply omit the walnuts. You could also swap in 1/3 cup of dried cranberries.Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze. Swap the cream cheese frosting for a simple caramel glaze. Whisk together 3 cups brown sugar, 1 cup light cream, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, stir in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce. Skip the cream cheese frosting, and top your cake with this Apple Cider Caramel Sauce. (I also used it on this Gooey Caramel Apple Cake.)Fresh Apple Cake with Vegan Caramel Sauce. Looking for a vegan caramel sauce instead? Top this cake with my No Cream {Vegan} Caramel Sauce.
Or give this delicious Applesauce Cake a try!
How to Store Fresh Apple Cake
I’ve found that fresh apple cake does need to be refrigerated for freshness, particularly with the addition of the cream cheese frosting.To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 5 days. Let come close to room temperature prior to serving. (I find it tastes even better and more moist on day two!)To Freeze. Apple cake is freezer-friendly. Freeze (frosted or unfrosted) cake for up to 1 month in an airtight freezer-safe storage container. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw at room temperature or the cake may become soggy.
More Recipes to Use Fresh Apples
Slow Cooker Apple ButterCrockpot ApplesauceApple BreadVegan Apple CrispApple Chips
Recommended Tools to Make this Cake
Baking Pan. Perfect for making this moist fresh apple cake recipeBaking Sheet. The ideal tool for toasting nuts and roasting vegetables.Stand Mixer. If you plan to make cakes often, a stand mixer is a wonderful investment.
Every fall, I like to treat myself to at least one indulgent apple dessert, and this apple cake is a favorite. It’s my grown-up way of experiencing the same unabridged autumn bliss I did as a kid diving into a pile of leaves (but less itchy). I hope you love it as much as we do!
