German Spiced Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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.

Print Recipe

German Spiced Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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 and an awesome cream cheese frosting to make it complete!

Servings: 12

Author: Kim Lange

Ingredients

German Spiced Apple Cake

• 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

FROSTING

• 1 package 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons butter softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.

German Spiced Apple Cake

• In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce and vanilla extract until completely combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
• Add dry ingredients to wet and stir to combine.
• Fold in apples and pecans or walnuts. Spread very thick batter into prepared pan.
• Bake 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Place cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.
• Add vanilla extract, salt and confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth and creamy.
• Spread on top of cake. Add more pecans or walnuts if you want extra.
• Store leftovers in refrigerator or serve room temperature.

Notes

If you don't want to frost, you can dust with powdered sugar to give it a nice look.