The Ultimate Apple Pie Cake Recipe: A Moist, Spiced Delight for Fall & Holidays
Indulge in the best of both worlds with this incredibly soft, moist, and easy apple pie cake recipe, made from scratch with simple, wholesome ingredients. This delightful dessert perfectly captures the essence of autumn, making it an ideal centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast or any fall gathering. Each bite is a symphony of flavors, richly packed with aromatic cinnamon, luscious apple pie filling, and a dreamy frosting that brings everything together.
As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, it’s officially apple season! And let’s be honest, for many, apple desserts often take precedence over pumpkin creations. We’ve already been enjoying the comforting flavors of this season, having made our Easy Applesauce Cake (With Cake Mix) twice recently, and our friends are already requesting the Easy Apple Cake With Cake Mix for next week. However, today’s cake offers a uniquely different experience. This is not just a cake; it’s a beautifully spiced layer cake, generously filled with creamy buttercream icing and a generous layer of classic apple pie filling. For its presentation, we’ve embraced a simple, rustic charm, garnishing it with delicate shredded white chocolate and fragrant cinnamon sticks, truly embodying the spirit of homemade goodness.
When we first embarked on developing this recipe, our initial attempts began with a basic vanilla cake. However, we quickly discovered that the subtle flavors of the buttercream and the robust apple pie filling weren’t truly complemented by the vanilla base. A quick call to Mom provided the perfect solution: a simple cinnamon-spiced cake. This proved to be the ideal foundation, allowing the apple and spice notes to shine harmoniously. This cake is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile, making it a fantastic choice to serve at your cozy Fall gatherings and festive Thanksgiving parties.
Table of contents
- Key ingredients for spiced apple pie cake
- Variations & Customization Tips
- How to Make this Easy Apple Pie Cake Recipe with Pie Filling
- Creative Frosting and Filling Ideas
- Expert Tips and Techniques for Success
- Recipe FAQs
- Storage of Homemade Apple Pie Cake
- More Delicious Apple Desserts
Key Ingredients for Spiced Apple Pie Cake
Crafting the perfect apple pie cake starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:
- All-Purpose Flour: Simple and versatile, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure for our cake. Ensure you measure it correctly, either by weight or by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off, to avoid a dense cake.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the exact amount of salt in your recipe. Make sure it’s at room temperature for optimal creaming with sugar, which incorporates air and contributes to a lighter texture.
- Granulated Sugar: This provides sweetness and also plays a crucial role in tenderizing the cake crumb. Granulated sugar creates a different texture than brown sugar, which would result in a denser cake.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk adds richness and moisture to the batter, resulting in a more tender and flavorful cake. While other types of milk can be used, whole milk delivers the best results.
- Egg Whites: Separating egg whites from yolks and using only the whites contributes to a lighter, airier cake texture and a slightly brighter color. They provide structure without adding the richness or density that yolks would.
- Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer, good quality vanilla extract beautifully complements the apple and spice flavors, adding depth and warmth to the cake.
- Apple Pie Spice: This pre-mixed blend is your secret weapon for instant fall flavor. It typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cardamom, creating a complex and comforting spice profile. If you don’t have it, a homemade blend works wonderfully (see tips below).
- Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise, creating a fluffy and tender crumb. It reacts during mixing and again in the oven.
- Baking Soda: Another crucial leavening agent. Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients (if any, or simply provides a boost to the baking powder) to help the cake expand and rise beautifully. Ensure both baking powder and soda are fresh for best results.
- Apple Pie Filling: This is the heart of our “pie cake.” While a high-quality store-bought filling is convenient, making your own homemade apple pie filling will elevate the flavor significantly, allowing you to control sweetness and spice levels.
Variations & Customization Tips
This apple pie cake recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for numerous modifications to suit your taste and time constraints. Here are some popular variations:
- Utilize a Cake Mix: For a quicker preparation, opt for a spiced cake mix from your local grocery store. Simply follow the package instructions for baking the cake layers, then proceed with assembling the cake as outlined in our recipe, adding the apple pie filling and frosting.
- Adjust Spice Levels: The beauty of baking at home is customizing flavors. Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of apple pie spice according to your preference. You can also experiment by adding a pinch of ground cloves or a dash of black pepper for an extra layer of warmth.
- Rectangle Sheet Cake: If you prefer a simpler presentation or are feeding a crowd, pour the batter into a greased and floured 9×13 inch rectangle pan. Once cooled, you can easily top it with your desired frosting and/or filling, then slice it into squares.
- Incorporate Nuts: For added texture and a nutty flavor, fold in about ½ to 1 cup of chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the batter. To prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking, toss them lightly with 1 tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter.
- Different Apple Varieties: While the filling itself is key, you can influence its flavor by choosing different apples for your homemade filling. For a tarter cake, use Granny Smith. For sweeter, try Gala or Fuji. A blend of varieties offers the best balance of flavor and texture.
How to Make this Easy Apple Pie Cake Recipe with Pie Filling
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping apple pie cake:
- Cream Together: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which contributes to a tender cake.
- Beat in: Add the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until just combined. Don’t overmix at this stage.
- Whisk Together Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and apple pie spice. Ensuring these dry ingredients are well combined prevents pockets of leavening agents in the final cake.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually beat the dry mixture into the wet mixture, alternating with additions of whole milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined – overmixing can develop gluten, leading to a tough cake. The batter will be thick.
- Pour: Divide the batter evenly among your prepared (greased and floured) round cake pans (8×2 inches is recommended for two or three layers).
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10-15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling completely is essential before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Trim and Layer (First Layer): Once cooled, carefully trim any domed tops from the cakes to create flat layers. Place one trimmed cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand.
- Frost (First Layer): Apply an even layer of your chosen buttercream frosting over the top of the first cake layer using an offset spatula.
- Spread Filling (First Layer): Gently spread a generous amount of your apple pie filling over the frosting layer. Leave a small border around the edge to prevent it from oozing out.
- Repeat for Second Layer: Place the second trimmed cake layer on top of the apple pie filling. Repeat the frosting and filling steps as for the first layer. If you are using three layers, repeat one more time.
- Decorate and Enjoy: Once all layers are assembled and filled, apply a final layer of frosting to the top of the cake. Decorate as desired – we love shredded white chocolate and cinnamon sticks for a rustic touch. Slice and serve!
Creative Frosting and Filling Ideas
While a classic American buttercream frosting was used for this cake, the possibilities for enhancing its flavor with different frostings and fillings are endless. Here are some fantastic suggestions:
- Easy Caramel Frosting: A perfect match for apples, this frosting adds a rich, buttery sweetness that complements the spiced cake beautifully.
- Maple Frosting: The warm, earthy notes of maple perfectly harmonize with the autumnal flavors of this apple pie cake, enhancing its fall appeal.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: For those who enjoy a slight tang to balance the sweetness, a creamy cream cheese frosting is an exquisite choice that pairs wonderfully with spiced cakes.
- Chantilly Cream: This lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a touch of elegance and a delicate, indulgent texture, perfect for a lighter finish.
- Stabilized Whipped Cream: A classic and versatile option that can be used both as a light topping or a creamy filling. Stabilized whipped cream holds its shape longer, making it ideal for layered cakes.
- Brown Sugar Frosting: Simple yet incredibly effective, the deep, molasses notes of brown sugar frosting add a comforting warmth that pairs naturally with apples and cinnamon.
- Marshmallow Frosting: This buttercream-based frosting with a fluffy marshmallow texture adds a unique sweetness and lightness that surprisingly complements many desserts, including spiced apple cakes.
- Homemade Dulce De Leche: Imagine a thick, caramelized milk sauce, rich and decadent. This makes for an incredible filling or a drizzle over the top, reminiscent of gourmet caramel apples.
- Slow Cooker Fried Apples: As a filling or a topping, these tender, spiced apples will make your kitchen smell heavenly and your cake taste even more divine.
- Sautéed Cinnamon Apples: A quick and easy-to-make topping that provides a burst of fresh apple flavor and a pleasant texture contrast.
- Homemade Vanilla Custard: A simple, no-bake recipe for a rich, decadent filling that adds a creamy, luscious layer to your cake.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle this homemade caramel sauce over each layer or on top of the finished cake for an extra layer of sweetness that naturally pairs with apples.
- Apple Butter: This concentrated apple spread can be used as a flavorful filling between layers or as a spread on top for a less sweet, more intensely apple-flavored option.
Expert Tips and Techniques for Success
Achieving a perfect apple pie cake requires attention to a few key details. Here are some expert tips to ensure your baking success:
- Use Unsalted Butter: Always opt for unsalted butter in baking recipes. This gives you complete control over the total sodium content, preventing your cake from becoming too salty or unbalanced in flavor.
- Granulated vs. Brown Sugar: Stick to granulated sugar as specified in the recipe. Substituting brown sugar can significantly alter the cake’s texture, often resulting in a much denser crumb due to its higher moisture content and molasses.
- Avoid Over-Mixing the Batter: This is a golden rule in cake baking. Over-mixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, chewy cake rather than a tender, soft one. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined and no streaks of flour remain.
- Freeze Cake Layers for Easy Handling: For exceptionally neat layers, once your baked cakes have cooled completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them overnight. Frozen cakes are much firmer, making them easier to trim and stack with minimal crumbling, which is especially helpful for beginners.
- Cake Yield and Layer Options: This recipe is designed to yield three round (8×2 inch) cake layers. While you can certainly create a taller, more dramatic three-layer cake, we typically use two layers for this spiced apple pie cake, freezing the third for future use. This provides a substantial yet manageable cake.
- Homemade Apple Pie Spice Mix: If you don’t have a store-bought blend, it’s incredibly easy to make your own. Simply mix together 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1½ teaspoons ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1½ teaspoons ground cardamom. Store in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to two months. Feel free to adjust the quantities to match your preferred spice intensity.
- Distinguish from a “Dump Cake”: It’s important to clarify that this is a meticulously crafted layer cake, not a “dump cake.” Dump cakes are typically much simpler, often resembling a cobbler, and involve literally “dumping” a cake mix and a fruit filling into a pan. Our version requires careful assembly of distinct layers for a more refined dessert.
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought Pie Filling: While a good quality canned apple pie filling is a convenient time-saver, a homemade filling truly offers superior freshness, flavor, and texture. If time allows, making your own is highly recommended for an unparalleled taste experience.
- Don’t Rush the Process: Layer cakes can be time-consuming, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. To simplify the process, consider dividing the tasks over several days. For instance:
- Day One: Prepare your frosting.
- Day Two: Make the apple pie filling.
- Day Three: Bake the cake layers.
- Day Four: Assemble and decorate the entire cake.
This staged approach helps prevent stress and makes the baking experience much more enjoyable.
Recipe FAQs
While both are beloved desserts, pies and cakes differ primarily in their structure and composition. Cakes are typically light, fluffy, and risen, often leavened with baking powder or soda, and lack a pastry crust base or topping. They are made from a batter that bakes into a soft crumb. Pies, on the other hand, are characterized by their pastry crust (top, bottom, or both) and a fruit or savory filling, with the crust forming the primary structure.
For the best apple pie cake, consider using a variety of apples to achieve a balanced combination of texture and flavor. Honeycrisp apples are a popular choice in baking due to their firm texture and sweet-tart flavor that holds up well. If you prefer a more tart cake, Granny Smith apples are an excellent option. For a sweeter profile, opt for Gala or Fuji. Combining one tart apple with a sweeter, firmer apple often yields the most complex and satisfying filling.
Several factors can cause a cake to collapse. The most common reason is that it was not baked long enough, meaning the internal structure wasn’t fully set before being removed from the oven. Another potential cause could be an imbalance in the recipe, such as too much liquid or leavening agents. Additionally, opening and closing the oven door frequently during baking can lead to dramatic temperature shifts, causing the delicate cake structure to fall.
A dry cake is typically a result of over-baking. Baking for too long at too high a temperature evaporates too much moisture from the cake. Other contributing factors can include using too much flour, too little fat, or insufficient liquid in the recipe. Always follow baking times closely and check for doneness using a toothpick test.
Storage of Homemade Apple Pie Cake
Proper storage ensures your apple pie cake remains fresh and delicious for as long as possible:
- Room Temperature: If your cake is frosted with a stable buttercream that does not contain dairy products like whipped cream or cream cheese, it can typically be left at room temperature (in a cool, dry place) for up to 1 day. However, due to the fruit filling and potential dairy in frosting, refrigeration is generally recommended for extended freshness.
- Fridge: Leftover slices or the entire cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure it’s well-sealed to prevent it from absorbing other food odors and to maintain moisture.
- Freezer: For longer storage, individual slices or unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil, and stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
More Delicious Apple Desserts to Try
If you’re an apple enthusiast, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic apple-based desserts:
- Chocolate Caramel Apples
- No Bake Caramel Apple Pie
- Easy Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
- Apple Strudel
- Apple Cranberry Crisp (Cranberry Crumble)
- Apple Nachos
- Easy Apple Cobbler
- Easy Apple Crisp (1 Hour)
- Baked Apple Cider Donuts
- Apple Fritters (30 Mins)
- Apple Crumble Pie
- Easy Apple Turnover (With Puff Pastry)
Recipe
Apple Pie Cake
Abeer Rizvi
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Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1½ cups Butter Unsalted, Room temperature
- 2¼ cups Sugar Granulated
- 1½ cups Milk Whole
- 4 Egg whites
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2.5 teaspoon Apple pie spice
- 2½ teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking soda
- 2 cups Homemade apple pie filling
- 2 cups Classic American buttercream frosting
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add the egg whites,
vanilla extract and mix (I usually beat for 1 minute).
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.
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Beat the dry mixture into the wet mixture, alternating with milk, until just combined. The batter will be thick but DO NOT OVER-MIX!
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Pour the batter into three round greased/floured cake pans (Dimension: 8×2).
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Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 minutes on until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. The tops will be brown.
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Allow the cakes to cool completely.
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Trim the brown top and edges of one cake and place it on a cake stand.
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Use a spatula to frost the top of this cake with buttercream and gently, spread some apple pie filling on top of the frosting.
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Trim the brown top and edges of another cake and place it on top of the apple pie filling.
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Use a spatula to frost the top of this cake with buttercream and gently, spread some apple pie filling on top of the frosting.
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Decorate the top of the cake with a few cinnamon sticks.
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Toss some white chocolate shreds around the cake and on top of the cake. Enjoy.
Notes
- Always refer to the detailed tips and techniques provided above for best results.
- This cake recipe typically yields three round (8×2 inch) cake layers. For this particular spiced apple pie cake, we generally use two layers to achieve a balanced height and flavor profile, freezing the third layer for future use. However, you are welcome to use all three layers for a taller, more dramatic presentation if preferred.
- Freezing the cooled cake layers overnight before assembly is highly recommended. This practice significantly firms up the cake, making it much easier to trim the tops and edges cleanly with minimal crumbling, leading to a much neater finished cake.
- For storing leftovers, place any remaining cake in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain its freshness and moisture.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.