German Spiced Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is definitely one cake you will want to be snacking on over and over again and it’s absolutely perfect for the Autumn season.
It’s a moist, delicious spice cake accompanied with warm, cozy spices of cinnamon and nutmeg, and has a bountiful abundance of mini chunks of apples and pecans baked right in.
Am I drawing you in?
But let’s not forget…There’s an adequate, layer of enticing cream cheese frosting on top, which just makes it even more mouth-watering and do I dare-say addicting? Or should we just not go there?
I say we go there!
Regardless, you can enjoy it with no frosting, but I prefer to have the frosting. It has buttery tones, which bring out all those spices and flavors of the cake even more. Dreamy Apple Cake Love!
If you want to toast the pecans or walnuts, to give it even more intense flavor and crunchiness. The simplest way to toast nuts is in a medium oven (325°F). Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet with a rim and toast 5 – 10 minutes. When they’re lightly browned and that comforting, smell of the nuts roasting in the air hits your schnoz, you’ll know they are done and ready. YUM! Let cool before adding to your cake.
This cake is great for a fall picnic, snacking (which is what I do) tailgating or taking to a friend, neighbor or family just because.
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup oil I used olive oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour I used 1/2 whole wheat flour and 1/2 all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups tart apples peeled and very finely chopped or grated (I used Granny Smith)
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts toasted if preferred
- 1 package 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons butter softened
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.
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In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce and vanilla extract until completely combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
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Add dry ingredients to wet and stir to combine.
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Fold in apples and pecans or walnuts. Spread very thick batter into prepared pan.
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Bake 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Let cool.
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Place cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.
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Add vanilla extract, salt and confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth and creamy.
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Spread on top of cake. Add more pecans or walnuts if you want extra.
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Store leftovers in refrigerator or serve room temperature.
If you don't want to frost, you can dust with powdered sugar to give it a nice look.
Apple cake is my new favorite and this one looks TO DIE FOR! Just give me a fork and I’ll eat the whole thing myself!
Aww thank you Kelsie! It’s hard to stop eating it, I’ll tell you that! 😀
OH I absolutely love apple cake and this looks so amazingly delicious. And definitely adding the frosting…it really will add to the deliciousness. So pinning, saving and baking!!!!!🙂
Thank you Ashika! I love this recipe because it’s so versatile! You can make it healthier and change out so many ingredients to your liking. Thank you for pinning and I hope you enjoy it!
It looks so moist Kim! And it’s jam packed with those apples!! There’s nothing as comforting as a perfectly spiced apple cake :). Even more perfect with that buttery cream cheese frosting!
It definitely is comforting Deepika. Thank you so much! 🙂
I love how moist this looks!! All of those spices too…apple cake is one of my favourites!!
Looks wonderful, Kim.
Thank you Teresa! I barely got any of it, thankfully I got what I did. LOL!:D
This cake sounds so perfect for fall! Love the look of those apples in the cake. And the cream cheese frosting looks so good!
Thank you so much Leanne!
Mmmm. Looks so yummy! Loving the chunks of apples and the spices! I want a slice of this now 🙂
Thank you Kelly! It is sooo yummy! 😀
Perfect combination. I’m in ! Thank you so much !
Awww thank you so much 2pots2cook! It really is the perfect combination!
you don’t even have to draw me in: i see apple cake and i’m there (: the apple cake of my childhood didn’t have cream cheese frosting but dang, it really should have! sounds super decadent and tangy and fantastic with it :3
Heather, I had the apple cake without the cream cheese frosting too, but now I wonder why? I don’t remember my mom making cream cheese frosting ever!
This cake looks heavenly, Kim!! One of my favorite flavor combinations from childhood. And that cream cheese frosting has me sold! 😀
Aww thank you Catherine! That is so sweet of you! xoxo