Introduction to Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
As the leaves turn and the air gets crisper, there’s nothing quite like the warming aroma of a freshly baked cake. Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing is perfect for cozy gatherings or even a simple afternoon treat. This delightful cake combines the natural sweetness of honey crisp apples with a blend of warm spices, wrapped in a moist texture that feels just like a hug on a plate.
Why you’ll love this cake
One of the standout features of this cake is its versatility. Whether you’re impressing friends at a dinner party or simply indulging on a quiet weekend, this recipe radiates comfort. The cake is easy to whip up, making it a fantastic option for both experienced bakers and kitchen novices alike. The inclusion of brown sugar icing elevates the flavor, providing a beautiful contrast to the spice-laden cake.
Moreover, apples aren’t just delicious; they’re packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Swapping in some healthier ingredients gives a subtle nod to healthy eating without sacrificing flavor. If you’re looking for inspiration throughout the fall season, this cake is a delicious way to celebrate the bounty of autumn. For tips on apple varieties, consider checking this resource. Why not get started today and relish the festivities with every bite?
Ingredients for Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Essential Dry Ingredients
To create the perfect Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing, we begin with the essential dry ingredients. You'll need:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- A delightful mix of spices: 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon allspice, and a pinch of ground cloves (⅛ tsp)
These components not only provide the right texture but also infuse the cake with warmth and depth, making it truly irresistible.
Key Wet Ingredients
Moving on to the wet ingredients, these are crucial for binding everything together:
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (be sure they're at room temperature for best results)
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup sour cream (also at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
These elements help create a moist cake that complements the spices perfectly.
Unique Flavoring Elements
No Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing would be complete without the final touch—our unique flavoring element:
- 2-3 large honey crisp apples, grated, yielding about 1 ½ cups
Including apples retains the natural sweetness and brings a deliciously fresh contrast to the spiced flavors. Make sure to keep the skin on for extra nutrients and texture!
For more culinary inspiration, consider checking out Baking Basics for tips!
Preparing Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Creating the perfect Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing is easier than you might think! Follow these friendly steps to bring your baking skills to the next level and impress everyone with your delicious creation.
Prepping Your Baking Essentials
Before diving into the mixing and baking, make sure you have all your baking essentials within reach. Gather the following items:
- Measuring cups and spoons: For precise ingredients.
- Mixing bowls: At least two, one for dry and one for wet ingredients.
- Whisk and spatula: For thorough mixing.
- 9x9-inch baking pan: Lined with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Oven thermometer: To ensure your oven is properly calibrated.
Once you have everything prepped, preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s hot and ready when your batter is mixed.
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, it's time to whisk together your dry ingredients. Combine the following:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon each of ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ⅛ teaspoon of ground cloves
Give them a good whisk until they are evenly blended. The spices in this mix are what elevate your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing, making it cozy and aromatic.
Combining the Wet Ingredients
In another mixing bowl, combine your wet ingredients:
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs (make sure they’re room temperature)
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup sour cream (also at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy, creating a delightful base for the cake.
Folding in Grated Apples
Now for the star of the show—happy grated apples! You’ll need 2-3 large honeycrisp apples, grated using the large holes on a box grater. If you love the added texture and flavor, keep the skin on! Gently fold the grated apples into your wet mixture and watch as the batter transforms into a deliciously moist treat.
Baking the Cake to Perfection
Pour the cake batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This step is crucial; you want a perfectly fluffy cake without dry edges. Allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Irresistible Brown Sugar Icing
While your cake cools, let’s whip up that decadent brown sugar icing! In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt together:
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
Whisk until it’s well mixed and reaches a gentle boil. Remove from the heat, then whisk in ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar. Pour the warm icing over your slightly cooled cake for a luscious finish.
Slice, serve, and enjoy the warm flavors of your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing with friends or indulge all by yourself—no judgment here! Enjoy this sweet delight with a cup of coffee or tea, making it the perfect treat for any occasion.
Variations on Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Adding nuts for crunch
For those who enjoy a bit of texture, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans to your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing. Just fold in a cup of your favorite nuts into the batter before baking. This variation not only enhances flavor but also brings a delightful crunch that pairs beautifully with the moist cake.
Incorporating different spices
Want to tweak the flavor profile? You can experiment with spices like cardamom or allspice in your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing. Start by replacing half a teaspoon of nutmeg or ginger with these spices to create a unique twist. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Each addition can give your cake a whole new character, making it perfect for any season.
For more baking inspiration, you can check out Baker's Journal or America’s Test Kitchen.
Baking Notes for Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Tips for a Moist Cake
To ensure your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing turns out moist and flavorful, use room temperature ingredients, especially the eggs and sour cream. This helps create a well-emulsified batter. Also, avoid overmixing after you combine the wet and dry ingredients; a few lumps are okay. For even more moisture, consider adding extra grated apples or a dash of applesauce.
Storage Tips for Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which may be a challenge!), store your cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy, simply thaw and enjoy it at room temperature or warm it up slightly for a cozy treat.
For more baking tips, check out resources like King Arthur Baking and The Kitchn.
Serving suggestions for Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Pairing with beverages
For a cozy pairing, enjoy your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing with a warm cup of chai or spiced cider. The aromatic spices in the beverage will beautifully complement the flavors of the cake. If you're looking for something refreshing, an iced herbal tea with hints of cinnamon can make a delightful contrast as well.
Creative plating ideas
Elevate your dessert presentation by serving slices of Apple Spice Cake on a decorative plate, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Adding a few thin apple slices or toasted nuts beside the cake can enhance visual appeal and provide additional texture. For a rustic touch, consider placing the cake on a wooden board accompanied by fresh apple halves or a few sprigs of rosemary.
These thoughtful touches make for an inviting dessert experience, perfect for gatherings or a simple evening treat!
Time Details for Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Preparation time
This delightful Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing requires approximately 15 minutes for preparation. Gather your ingredients and enjoy the process as you mix, measure, and prepare the batter!
Baking time
Bake your cake for about 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye on it—your kitchen will start smelling incredible when it’s almost ready!
Cooling time
After baking, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. But don’t worry if it’s still warm when you add the icing; it will melt beautifully into the cake for a delicious finish!
For handy tips on how to optimize your baking process, feel free to check out these expert baking guides for more insights!
Nutritional Information for Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Calories
Each slice of Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing contains approximately 386 calories. This makes it a hearty dessert, perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
Sugar Content
With 34 grams of sugar per slice, the combination of brown sugar icing and the natural sweetness from apples packs a flavorful punch.
Fiber Content
This cake provides about 1 gram of fiber, helping to contribute to your daily intake. While it may not be a super food, it's a delightful treat you can indulge in without too much guilt!
For more information on the nutritional benefits of baking with apples, check out this article on healthline.com. Incorporating fresh ingredients like apples is a great way to bring some nutritional value to your desserts!
FAQs about Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Can I substitute the apples?
Absolutely! While honey crisp apples bring a wonderful sweetness, you can use other varieties like Fuji or Granny Smith. Just keep in mind that the flavor and moisture content can vary. For a fun twist, you might even consider using pears!
What can I do with leftover icing?
Leftover brown sugar icing can be quite versatile! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Use it as a topping for other baked goods, such as cookies or muffins, or drizzle it over pancakes for a delightful breakfast treat.
How to tell if the cake is done?
To ensure your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing is perfectly baked, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready! A few minutes in the oven can make a big difference, so keep an eye on it.
For more baking tips, you can explore resources from King Arthur Baking or America's Test Kitchen.
Conclusion on Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
As you savor your Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing, remember it’s more than just a dessert—it's a warm embrace of flavors. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy evening, this cake will surely impress. Don’t forget to share your baking tales and let us know how much you loved it!
Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Icing
Equipment
- 9x9-inch nonstick pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- saucepan
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- ⅔ cups vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ¾ cups brown sugar packed (light or dark)
- ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cups sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2-3 large honey crispy apples grated, using the large holes on a box grater, ~1 ½ cups (can keep the skin on)
Brown Sugar Icing
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ½ cup dark brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
Instructions
Cake Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch light colored nonstick pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and fold just until combined.
- Fold in the grated apples.
- Turn out the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack.
- To make the brown sugar icing, melt the butter, brown sugar and heavy cream in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until mixture is combined and comes to a gentle boil.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla and powdered sugar.
- Pour the icing on top of cake. The cake doesn’t need to completely cool, when it's still a little warm, the icing melts into the cake.
- Slice and enjoy warm!
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