This cake feels made for a quiet fall afternoon — a slice on a plate, a warm drink nearby, and the kitchen smelling like apples and spice. It’s a rich, easy cake that fits right into the rhythm of fall baking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cake is rich and softly spiced, with grated apples that keep it moist without making it heavy. It bakes up in a simple 9×13 pan and fills the house with the kind of fall smell that makes you want to slow down a little. It’s easy enough for an ordinary afternoon, but special in that quiet way that makes a slice with tea feel like a small moment worth keeping.
Ingredients Needed
Apple Cake
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Apple pie spice
- Salt
- Cane sugar
- Brown sugar
- Apples
- Buttermilk
- Butter
- Oil
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Vanilla
Cream Cheese Icing
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Box grater
- Spoon or spatula
- 9×13 baking pan
- Parchment paper
Instructions
Apple Cake
Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×13 pan with parchment.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, salt, cane sugar, and brown sugar.
Add the grated apples and stir until they’re coated in the dry mixture.
Pour in the buttermilk, melted butter, oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla. Stir just until everything is combined.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cream Cheese Icing
Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until creamy.
Spread evenly over the cooled cake.
Tips & Tricks
Any apple works here; use what you have.
Let the cake cool fully before icing so it doesn’t melt.
It will continue to set once it has cooled, but be sure a toothpick pulls out mostly clean.
Storage & Leftovers
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Bring to room temperature before serving, or warm slices gently if you like it soft.
Once fall baking gets going, this is a recipe you’ll be glad to have. Perfect for cool fall afternoons with a warm drink nearby, it’s exactly the kind of simple comfort that feels right.
Watch me make this recipe here:
Spiced Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
This is an easy, everyday apple cake with warm spice and a tender crumb, finished with a simple cream cheese icing. It will make your home smell heavenly and leave your tummy extra happy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 9×13 cake (approx. 15 slices) 1x
Ingredients
- 3 2/3 cups flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon apple pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 apples, grated
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Apple Cake
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×13 pan with parchment.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, salt, cane sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add the grated apples and stir until they’re coated in the dry mixture.
- Pour in the buttermilk, melted butter, oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla. Stir just until everything is combined.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cream Cheese Icing
- Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until creamy.
- Spread evenly over the cooled cake.
