Print

Apple Spice Cake with Cinnamon-Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

Apple Spice Cake with Cinnamon-Vanilla Buttercream Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 11 reviews

This moist and flavorful Apple Spice Cake is infused with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, perfectly complemented by a luscious cinnamon-vanilla buttercream. Made with unsweetened applesauce to keep it tender and naturally sweetened, this cake is ideal for fall gatherings or any time you crave a cozy dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 Cups (332g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1 Cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 Cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 Cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 1/2 Cups (605g) unsweetened applesauce

Buttercream Ingredients

  • 2 Cups (452g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 7 Cups (840g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 Tbsp (45ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Garnish

  • 3 apple slices
  • 1 Biscoff cookie, ground into crumbs

Instructions

  1. Make the Apple Spice Cake: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and prepare your cake pans by spraying with cooking spray and lining the bottoms with wax or parchment paper circles.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer with paddle attachment or using a hand mixer, beat the butter on high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add brown and white sugars and beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Lower mixer speed to low and add vanilla and egg, then beat on medium speed for 1 minute.
  5. Combine Flour and Applesauce: On low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts alternated with applesauce, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined, then finish mixing by hand to ensure thorough incorporation. Batter will be thick.
  6. Bake the Cake: Divide batter evenly between pans, filling no more than two-thirds full. Smooth tops and bake 36-42 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
  7. Make the Cinnamon-Vanilla Buttercream: Whisk powdered sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl.
  8. Cream Butter: Beat butter on medium-high speed until light and creamy, about 5 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
  9. Add Powdered Sugar Mixture: Gradually add powdered sugar and cinnamon mixture to butter, mixing on medium speed until fully combined.
  10. Finish Buttercream: Reduce mixer speed to low and add vanilla, milk, and salt. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.
  11. Assemble the Cake: Level cooled cake layers. Spread buttercream between layers and stack. Apply a crumb coat of buttercream to the outside and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
  12. Decorate: Smooth the top and sides with remaining frosting. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes to firm up. Use a piping bag fitted with Wilton Tip 4B to create a shell border along the bottom and a braided border on top. Garnish with apple slices and Biscoff cookie crumbs.

Notes

  • Make sure all ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for best mixing results.
  • Use unsweetened applesauce to control the sweetness and moisture of the cake.
  • When leveling cake layers, use a serrated knife or cake leveler for even stacking.
  • Refrigerate the crumb coat to prevent crumbs from mixing into the final layer of frosting.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives but note that flavor and texture might vary.
  • Use fresh spices for the best aroma and flavor.
  • The crumb and apple slice garnish add a lovely texture and visual interest to the cake.

Nutrition

Keywords: Apple spice cake, cinnamon buttercream, fall cake recipe, apple cake, spiced cake, homemade cake

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/apple-spice-cake-with-cinnamon-vanilla-buttercream-recipe/