Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing Recipe
This Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing is a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for autumn or any cozy occasion. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, tender apples, and a delightful applesauce base, it is topped with a rich, buttery brown sugar icing that adds the perfect sweet finish.
- 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 Ingredients
- 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 Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes a few minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture to ensure smooth integration, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually blend in the dry ingredients alternating with the applesauce, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, then gently fold in the peeled and diced apples.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Brown Sugar Icing: While the cake cools, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture begins to bubble, indicating it has heated through.
- Finish the Icing: Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar until the icing is smooth and creamy.
- Ice the Cake: Once the cake has cooled completely, pour the brown sugar icing evenly over the top. Allow the icing to set before serving for the best texture.
Notes
- Use unsweetened applesauce to control the sweetness of the cake.
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before applying the icing to avoid melting it.
- You can substitute diced pears for apples for a variation.
- The cake can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger.
Keywords: apple cake, spice cake, brown sugar icing, fall dessert, cinnamon cake, homemade cake
