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 preferred); 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 teaspoons baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; Buttermilk syrup; Whipped cream; Vanilla ice cream

There's something truly comforting about a slice of homemade cake filled with the fresh, natural sweetness of apples and a touch of warming spices. This Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe is one of those recipes that makes your kitchen smell like fall all year round—moist, fragrant, and downright cozy.

A piece of brown cake sits on a small white round plate on a white marbled surface. The cake has a rough texture and is topped with a thick, dark caramel sauce covering the top and partially dripping down the sides. In front of the cake on the plate, a small piece is cut and a silver fork is stuck into it, showing the moist inside of the cake with caramel sauce pooling underneath. In the background, a green apple and a white pitcher are slightly blurred, along with another plate with cake on the same white marbled surface. A white cloth is partly visible in the lower frame, adding softness to the scene. 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 can’t overstate how this cake quickly became a favorite in my house—there’s an unbeatable comfort in the blend of spice and fresh apples that makes it feel both indulgent and wholesome. Plus, it's forgiving enough that even if you’re not a pro baker, you’ll nail it.

Double Apple Delight: It uses both applesauce and fresh apples to keep every bite moist and bursting with apple flavor.
Spice Harmony: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves blend perfectly to create that classic warm spice cake aroma and taste.
Easy Prep: Simple mixing steps make it a great weekend baking project without stressing you out.
Versatile Serving: Delicious on its own or with buttermilk syrup, vanilla ice cream, or a whipped cream dollop—making everyone happy at the table.

A square piece of brown cake with a rough, crumbly texture sits on a small white plate. The cake is topped with a thick layer of smooth, shiny caramel sauce that flows over the edges and drips down onto the plate. In the background, there is a glass jug of milk and two apples, one green and one red. A fork lies on a white marbled surface in the front right corner of the image, and a white cloth is slightly visible at the bottom. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays an important role here, balancing moisture, sweetness, and flavor for that perfect apple spice experience. I recommend using fresh apples with a bit of tartness, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, to keep the cake bright and not overly sweet.

Flat lay of a large square of unsalted pale yellow butter, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white granulated sugar, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth pale applesauce, a small white ceramic bowl with peeled and finely diced green Granny Smith apples, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing ground cinnamon powder in warm brown tones, a small white ceramic bowl of nutmeg powder with a light beige color, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cloves in dark brown, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of white salt crystals, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy white buttermilk syrup, a small white ceramic bowl with fluffy white whipped cream, and a small white ceramic bowl holding a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream — all ingredients fresh and natural, 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 creates a tender crumb and adds richness.
Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning to get that beautiful crust.
Eggs: Add structure and help bind everything together smoothly.
Applesauce: I prefer unsweetened to control sweetness and add moisture naturally.
Fresh Apples: Peeled and grated or finely diced apples give texture and fresh apple bursts.
Flour: All-purpose works fine, but gluten-free flour is a great substitute for those who need it.
Cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and depth.
Nutmeg: Adds a subtle earthy sweetness that complements cinnamon perfectly.
Cloves: Just a pinch enhances the spice profile without overpowering.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Balance leavening to give the cake a nice rise and light texture.
Salt: Essential for balancing all the sweet and spice notes.

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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

One of the things I love about this Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or your preference. I often swap out the spices depending on my mood or add nuts for texture variation—feel free to get creative!

Variation: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans is a fantastic way to sneak in some crunch—I do this when I want a little nutty contrast that pairs beautifully with the soft apples.
Dietary Swap: I’ve made this cake completely gluten-free with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and it turned out just as moist and flavorful.
Sweetness Level: If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar by about ¼ cup; the apples still keep it deliciously moist.
Spice Punch: For a bolder spice flavor, bump up the cinnamon by ½ teaspoon or add a dash of ground ginger for a zingy surprise.

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

Step 1: Preheat and Prep with Care

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. I like to use a 9x13” metal pan for even baking and either grease it well with butter or line it with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Pro tip: Parchment paper makes cleanup super easy and helps your cake slide right out when cool.

Step 2: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients upfront ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout the cake, so you don’t end up with any spice pockets.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar Till Fluffy

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter with sugar for 2-3 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step traps air, which helps give the cake a lovely, tender crumb. I always make sure my butter is just soft and not melted—it makes a big difference in texture.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Applesauce

Beat in the eggs one at a time to keep the mixture smooth and emulsified. Then stir in the applesauce—I prefer unsweetened so I can control the overall sweetness in the cake. The applesauce adds moisture without needing extra oil or butter.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Apples

Gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet batter, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing—which can toughen the cake. Finally, fold in the grated or finely diced fresh apples evenly. Those fresh apple bits add wonderful bursts of flavor and texture.

Step 6: Bake and Check

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, testing with a toothpick near the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If your cake starts to brown too deeply before it’s fully cooked, tent it lightly with aluminum foil for protection.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack. This keeps it moist and lets the flavors settle. Slice and top each piece with buttermilk syrup, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible finish. (And if you’re a frosting fan, cream cheese frosting is dreamy here!)

Top Tip

From my years of baking this Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe, getting the moisture right is everything. I’ve learned some tricks to keep this cake tender and flavorful every time.

Don’t Skip the Applesauce: It’s the secret ingredient that keeps this cake moist, especially if you accidentally overmix the batter a bit.
Fresh Apples Matter: I always select crisp, tart apples to balance the sweetness. Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are my go-tos.
Watch the Bake Time: Ovens vary; checking your cake a few minutes before the timer ends helps avoid drying out the edges.
Cooling Is Key: Let the cake cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling and to help the flavors meld beautifully.

How to Serve Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe

Garnishes

I generally keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar or a generous spoonful of whipped cream. But on special occasions, a drizzle of warm buttermilk syrup or caramel sauce takes it to another level. Sometimes I even add a sprinkle of toasted pecans for a little crunch and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of chai tea or coffee, making it perfect for brunch or an afternoon treat. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside a warm bowl of spiced apples or roasted nuts to stay in the autumnal mood.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve tried layering slices with homemade whipped cream and spiced apples between for a quick trifle-style dessert that's always a hit at potlucks. Another favorite is cutting the cake into small squares, topping with a dollop of cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for elegant mini bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. I find it stays moist and fresh for 2-3 days this way. At room temperature, it’s best enjoyed within a day or two before it starts to dry out.

Freezing

I often wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. When wrapped well, it freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and you’ll hardly tell it was frozen.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm them gently in a low oven. Adding a little whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top after reheating really revives that fresh-baked feeling.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any type of apples for this Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe?

You can, but I recommend tart or firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they hold their texture and balance the cake's sweetness nicely. Softer apples might turn mushy and affect the cake texture.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well in this recipe. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or another binder to mimic the texture of wheat flour. The cake remains moist and delightful.

What is the best way to store leftover Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days to keep the cake moist. Wrapping well if freezing is recommended to preserve freshness and flavor.

Can I bake this cake in different size pans?

Yes! You can use square pans or even muffin tins. Just adjust baking time accordingly—smaller pans bake faster, so start checking at around 20 minutes. For thicker cakes, baking a bit longer might be necessary. Use a toothpick test to confirm doneness.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Spice Cake with Fresh Apples Recipe always brings back memories of cozy afternoons and family gatherings for me. It’s a humble cake that feels special because of its warming spices and fresh apple goodness. If you try it just once, I bet it’ll become one of your go-to recipes, especially when you want comfort food that’s a little bit fancy in the best way possible.