Irresistible Fresh Apple Cake with Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This Fresh Apple Cake features a moist, tender crumb filled with grated apples and a hint of cinnamon, topped with a luscious and creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for autumn gatherings or a delightful dessert any time of year.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated apples
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Frosting Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Incorporate Apples and Walnuts: Fold in the grated apples and optional chopped walnuts evenly throughout the batter to add moisture and crunch.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Then, allow the cake to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is fluffy and easy to spread.
- Frost the Cake: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake using a spatula or knife.
- Serve: Slice the cake into pieces and serve as a delicious dessert or snack.
Notes
- Using fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Fuji will provide the best texture and flavor.
- Chilling the cream cheese and butter before beating helps to achieve a smooth frosting.
- If desired, walnuts can be omitted or substituted with pecans for a different nutty flavor.
- Store the frosted cake in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Keywords: apple cake, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert, autumn dessert, walnut apple cake, moist cake
