A cozy dessert packed with autumn warmth
There is nothing quite like the scent of warm cinnamon and fresh apples wafting through your home to make it feel instantly cozy. This Apple Spice Cake is the ultimate comfort dessert, perfect for fall gatherings, a Sunday afternoon treat, or even a delightful brunch addition. Whether you are looking for an easy fall dessert idea or a crowd-pleasing snack, this recipe is designed for busy bakers who don’t want to sacrifice flavor. With moist, tender crumbs and juicy apple bites in every single mouthful, you will find yourself coming back for a second slice every time! 🍎✨
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 10–12 servings
📝 Ingredients List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cups peeled and diced Gala or Honeycrisp apples
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Peeler
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- 9×13 inch baking pan
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your baking pan lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until well combined.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla to the dry mixture. Stir with a spatula until just combined; the batter will be quite thick.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold the diced apples into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Bake: Spread the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy! 🍰
💡 Pro Tips Section
- Storage: Keep this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days.
- Apple Variety: Use crisp, tart-sweet apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to ensure they hold their shape during baking.
- Moisture Hack: If you prefer an extra-moist cake, you can substitute half of the vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce.
Variations
- Add Crunch: Fold in ½ cup of toasted walnuts or pecans for a delightful texture.
- Glaze It: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar and milk glaze once the cake has cooled completely.
FAQ
- Can I make this in a round pan? Yes, you can use two 8-inch round cake pans; just reduce the baking time by about 5–8 minutes.
- Is there a substitute for eggs? You can use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax meal mixed with 3 tbsp water) for an egg-free version.

Apple Spice Cake
- Total Time: 60
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Apple Spice Cake is the ultimate cozy comfort dessert, perfect for fall gatherings or a casual Sunday treat. Featuring moist, tender crumbs infused with warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, it is packed with juicy bites of fresh Gala or Honeycrisp apples. This beginner-friendly recipe is designed to be simple, stress-free, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone reaching for a second slice.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
3 cups peeled and diced Gala or Honeycrisp apples
1 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your baking pan lightly with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until well combined.
Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla to the dry mixture and stir with a spatula until just combined.
Gently fold the diced apples into the batter until evenly distributed.
Spread the batter into your prepared pan.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for 5 days. For the best texture, use crisp, tart-sweet apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. For an extra-moist cake, you can substitute half of the vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
