Oh, you know those days when you just crave something warm, comforting, and bursting with that cozy autumn feeling? That’s exactly when I pull out my recipe for this amazing Apple Cake with Cream Cheese frosting. It’s seriously my go-to when I want a taste of home, and trust me, it never fails to impress! I remember baking this for the first time on a chilly Sunday afternoon, and the whole house filled with the most incredible cinnamon-apple scent. It’s simple, but that rich cream cheese topping just takes it over the top. Get ready for your new favorite fall treat!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cake with Cream Cheese
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this cake? It’s:
- Super Easy to Whip Up: Even if you’re new to baking, you can totally nail this.
- Packed with Flavor: Those warm spices and sweet apples are just heaven.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for dessert, brunch, or just a cozy afternoon treat.
- Pure Comfort Food: It tastes like a warm hug in cake form!
Ingredients for the Perfect Apple Cake with Cream Cheese
Okay, let’s talk about what makes this apple cake so darn good. It’s all about the ingredients, and thankfully, they’re pretty standard kitchen staples!
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (don’t skimp on this!)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples (I like Honeycrisp or Gala best!)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, make sure it’s nice and soft
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, also softened (this is key for smooth frosting!)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment Needed for Your Apple Cake
Alright, you don’t need a fancy professional kitchen for this one! Just a few basics will do the trick. You’ll want a good 9×13 inch baking pan to get that perfect sliceable size. Grab a couple of mixing bowls for dry and wet ingredients, and then your trusty electric mixer or even just a good old whisk will do the job for the batter and frosting. Oh, and a spatula is always handy for scraping down those bowls!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Apple Cake with Cream Cheese
Alright, let’s get this apple cake party started! It’s really not complicated, and the results are so, so worth it. Grab your apron, and let’s do this! If you’re looking for other easy fruit bakes, you might like this apple pie with cinnamon tortillas, or for something totally different but just as good, check out these almond zucchini muffins.
Preparing the Cake Batter
First things first, get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, go ahead and grease and flour your 9×13 inch baking pan. You want to do this now so everything is ready to go. In a big bowl, give your flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg a good whisk together. This just makes sure all those dry ingredients are evenly distributed. In another bowl, whisk up your eggs, then stir in the oil, milk, and vanilla. Now, pour those wet ingredients into your dry ones. Mix them until they’re *just* combined – seriously, don’t go crazy overmixing, or your cake will get tough! Finally, gently fold in those lovely chopped apples. You can even toss them with a tiny bit of the flour mixture beforehand if you want to make sure they don’t all sink to the bottom, but usually, it’s fine just folding them right in.
Baking and Cooling Your Apple Cake
Once your batter is all mixed with those yummy apples, pour it into your prepared pan and spread it out nice and even. Pop it into that preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick you stick right into the center comes out clean. No wet batter clinging to it! Let the cake hang out in the pan for about 15 minutes to cool down a bit. Then, carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This is super important – you *cannot* frost a warm cake, or you’ll have a melty mess on your hands!
Crafting the Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cake is doing its cooling thing, let’s whip up that dreamy cream cheese frosting. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are nice and soft – I usually leave them on the counter for about an hour before I start. In a medium bowl, beat them together with your mixer until they’re totally smooth and there are no lumps. This super smooth base is crucial! Then, gradually add in the powdered sugar, a little at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for that extra pop of flavor. Keep beating until it’s light, fluffy, and absolutely luscious.
Assembling Your Apple Cake with Cream Cheese
Okay, the moment of truth! Once your cake is completely cool – and I mean *completely* cool, guys – it’s time for the grand finale. Take your glorious cream cheese frosting and spread it evenly over the top of the cake. You can use an offset spatula or even just a regular butter knife. Just get it all covered so every slice has that amazing creamy goodness. It looks so pretty, doesn’t it?
Tips for the Best Apple Cake with Cream Cheese
Want to make this already amazing cake even more spectacular? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way. First, apple choice is HUGE! I swear by Honeycrisp or Gala apples because they hold their shape beautifully and have just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. If you can, use fresh apples – those pre-cut ones just don’t have the same punch. Oh, and remember that bit about not overmixing the batter? It’s so important for keeping the cake tender and moist. Trust me on this one! And if you’re an apple pie lover, you might also adore my cottage cheese apple pie recipe; it’s surprisingly delicious!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s chat about a couple of ingredients that can make a big difference in this apple cake. For the apples, I really, really love using Honeycrisp or Gala because they’re sweet and hold their shape so well when baked. Granny Smith works really nicely too if you like a bit more tartness! You can totally use other apples, just try to avoid ones that get super mushy. And for the oil? Vegetable oil is my go-to because it’s neutral, but you could also use canola oil or even a light olive oil if you don’t mind a subtle hint of its flavor. If you’re fresh out of milk, a bit of buttermilk or even plain yogurt thinned with a splash of water can work in a pinch!
Storing and Reheating Your Apple Cake
Got leftovers of this amazing apple cake with cream cheese? Lucky you! I usually just pop on some plastic wrap or pop it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. The cream cheese frosting is best chilled, anyway. If you need to reheat a slice, just pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds – just enough to take the chill off. It stays delicious for about 3-4 days!
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Cake
Got questions about this glorious apple cake? I’m here to help! Let’s dive into some of the things you might be wondering about.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Oh absolutely! This apple cake is actually one of those wonderful things that tastes even better the next day. I usually bake it the day before a gathering, let it cool completely, then frost it and keep it covered in the fridge. It’s perfect for when you want to get a head start on dessert!
What kind of apples are best for baking in this cake?
This is a great question! I really love using apples that hold their shape well and have a nice balance of sweet and tart. Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji are usually my top picks because they give you that perfect tender bite without turning into applesauce. Granny Smith is also a fantastic choice if you like a little more tang in your cake!
Do I have to use cream cheese frosting?
You know, the cream cheese frosting is what truly makes this apple cake special in my book, but if you’re not a fan, you absolutely don’t have to use it! You could just dust it with a little powdered sugar for a simpler finish, or even make a brown butter glaze. If you want another fun apple treat, though, check out these apple brownies!
How do I make sure the cake is perfectly moist?
The secret to a super moist apple cake is using fresh apples that haven’t been sitting around too long—they have the best moisture content! Also, resist the urge to overmix the batter once you add the wet ingredients to the dry; overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the cake tough and dry. Trust the process, and you’ll have a wonderfully moist cake!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so I know some of you like to keep an eye on the numbers, and that’s totally fine! This apple cake with cream cheese frosting is a treat, for sure. Here’s a rough estimate per slice: we’re looking at around 350 calories, with about 17 grams of fat (8 of those are saturated), 45 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of protein. Remember, this can totally change depending on the exact brands you use and how big your slices are – use this as a general guide!
Apple Cake with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then whisk in the vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chopped apples.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.