Apple Season
This easy apple spice layer cake has moist layers of spice cake, cinnamon apples, cream cheese cinnamon frosting, and a spice drizzle on top. The fall season will be well represented and well on its way with this cake. Trust me you are going to want to keep this one.
Apple season has started and there are many apple orchards within a thirty minute drive from my house. This means the choices are bountiful. What could be better than a layer cake with fall’s favorites. Apples, spices, and pecans.
Apple spice layer cake is an easy cake to make for the holidays, special occasion, or as a family favorite. Don’t let the thoughts of making a layer cake intimidate you. The difficulty is deciding which recipe to use. After my extensive search for an easy recipe, I actually found two. These two recipes fit just right. After reviewing both recipes they each had elements that I wanted. Making my final decision to combine what I like about each of them. The verdict was the filling and frosting would be the focus for this delicious delight.
After determining the frosting and layer filling was going to be the stars. I needed the actual cake to be an easy one. However, I needed this cake to also be beautiful and delicious. I decided to use a box mix (no shamming please). There are many box mixes on the market today that have a really nice flavor and texture when baked.
Time To Bake
For the frosting I used the recipe from The Domestic Rebel’s. The cinnamon apple recipe was from Life Love and Sugar. Don’t get me wrong these recipes are wonderful on their own. However, I like to mix and match portions of recipes to get the best of both (my opinion only). This option may not work for everyone.
Ingredients
- o Spice Cake
- o 2 boxes of brand name spice cake mix (your choice on brand)
- o Cinnamon Apples
- o 5-6 large apples, sliced (I used Macintosh)
- o 2 tsp lemon juice
- o 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- o 3 tsp cinnamon
- o 1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
- o 2-3 Tsp butter
- o Frosting
- o 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
- o 6 Tbsp butter, softened
- o ½ cup brown sugar
- o 1 tsp vanilla extract
- o ½-3/4 cup sauce reserved from cinnamon apples
- o 4-5 cups confectioners' sugar
- o **1 package pecans (chopped or halves)
Instructions
Prepare cake as directed on box.
• While cake is cooling prepare the frosting and cinnamon apples.
• In a bowl or stand mixer combine cream cheese and butter until fluffy approximately 1 minute.
• Add brown sugar, vanilla, and mix well.
• Add one cup of sugar at at a time slowly (adjust the amount of sugar based on your families taste).
• Mix well after add each cup.
• Add in a few tablespoons of reserved sauce from the cinnamon apples. One tablespoon at a time, until desired color and flavor are achieved.
• Combine sliced and cored apples in a medium pan with lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
• Toss mixture, making sure all apples are coated.
• Add butter and cook apples 20-30 minutes or until preferred softness.
• Remove from heat and place into separate bowl to stop cooking process and allow to cool approximately 30-45 minutes.
• Once apples are cooled it is time for assembly.
• Slice tops of cake layers off with a serrated knife. (This creates even layers for stacking)
• Place 2-3 tablespoons of frosting in the center of your cake plate and place first layer on top of the frosting. (This will keep you cake from sliding on the cake plate)
• Spread enough frosting on the cake layer to spread to the edges and create a good spacing layer. However, do not add so much that the frosting spills out when the next layer is added.
• Spread evenly approximately a 1/4 of the apples on top of the frosting.
• Add next layer and repeat process.
• After layers are complete begin frosting.
• Begin with 1-2 cups of frosting on the top layer.
• Spread frosting completely over the top of cake and then spread of the sides of cake. (Frosting can be as thick or thin as you desire. Thinner was my choice for this cake).
• Add chopped or pecan halves to top of cake.
• Use the remaining sauce from the cinnamon apples to drizzle over the top and sides
This cake was even better than I anticipated. The cake layers were moist and the apples were tendered with loads of flavor. Cream cheese was just the right choice for the frosting. It was light, fluffy, and the spices gave just the right amount of fall flavor. I am looking forward to its grand debut at my next family gathering or holiday meal.
Don’t keep this gem hidden until fall arrives each year. Feel free to bake this delicious cake for an event any time of the year. Maybe even for a special family weekend treat.
Does your family have a favorite cake that can be enjoyed year round?
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