Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
This cozy Apple Spice Cake fills your kitchen with warm fall aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and is topped with a rich brown sugar frosting that will leave everyone asking for seconds! 🍏🍰✨
Equipment
- 9-inch Round Cake Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups apples peeled, cored, and chopped (about 2 medium apples)
Brown Sugar Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream to butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in chopped apples.
- Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth top, and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- For frosting: In a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat, cool slightly, then gradually beat in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and spreadable.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake and enjoy!
Notes
For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped walnuts or raisins to the batter. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.