Name: Recipe "Apple Spice Cake with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting"
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2.5 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 0.5 tsp salt; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp ground ginger; 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg; 0.5 tsp ground cloves; 1.75 cup packed brown sugar; 1 cup unsweetened applesauce; 0.75 cup avocado oil or vegetable oil; 0.5 cup buttermilk; 4 large eggs (at room temperature); 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract; 1 cup grated apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith); 8 oz full-fat brick cream cheese (softened to room temperature); 0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature); 3.25 cup confectioners’ sugar; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 0.33 cup salted caramel sauce

Keep exploring with Pumpkin Cake, Chewy Molasses Cookies, or Oatmeal Cake.

Why This Apple Spice Cake Deserves a Spot on Your Fall Table

This apple spice cake combines a tender, moist crumb with warm cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, then tops it all with a salted caramel cream cheese frosting that’s swirled with ribbons of caramel. Applesauce and freshly grated apple keep the cake incredibly soft without being heavy. I have brought this cake to countless fall gatherings and it always disappears quickly. The best part? It tastes even better the next day, so you can bake it ahead for Thanksgiving or a weekend get-together.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Spice Cake

Baked in a 9×13 pan, so it’s easy to make and serve a crowd.
The cream cheese frosting is perfectly balanced with salted caramel, not too sweet.
You can use homemade or store-bought caramel sauce, whatever you have on hand.

Key Ingredients for Apple Spice Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

Applesauce (1 cup, unsweetened): Keeps the cake moist without adding extra fat. Don’t use sweetened applesauce, as it will alter the sugar balance.
Fresh apple (1 cup grated, Honeycrisp or Granny Smith): Adds natural sweetness and subtle tartness. No need to peel the apple; the skin disappears into the batter.
Cream cheese (8 oz, full-fat brick style): Provides structure for the frosting and a tangy counterpoint to the sweet caramel. Low-fat or spreadable cream cheese will make the frosting too soft.

Kitchen Tools for This Apple Spice Cake

9×13-inch baking pan
Box grater for shredding the apple
Electric hand mixer or stand mixer for the frosting
Butter knife or offset spatula for swirling caramel

Expert Tips for the Best Apple Spice Cake

Bring your eggs, buttermilk, and cream cheese to room temperature before starting. Cold ingredients don’t emulsify as well, leaving you with a denser cake or lumpy frosting. Grate your apple on a box grater instead of chopping it; the fine shreds melt into the batter and add moisture without chunky bits. When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir only until you no longer see flour streaks. Overmixing develops gluten and makes the cake tough. Start checking for doneness at 35 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is done. Let it cool completely before frosting, otherwise the cream cheese layer will melt and slide off. For the caramel swirls, drizzle the caramel over the frosting in lines, then use a butter knife or offset spatula to gently drag it through. A few passes is enough; too much will blend the caramel in completely.

Choosing the Right Apple for Apple Spice Cake

The apple you choose affects both flavor and texture. Honeycrisp apples are sweet and stay firm during baking, providing little pockets of tenderness. Granny Smith apples add a pleasant tartness that balances the sweet caramel and brown sugar. Whichever you pick, there’s no need to peel the apple; the skin softens as the cake bakes and blends right in. Grate the apple on the large holes of a box grater for the best dispersal throughout the batter.

Apple Spice Cake Variations to Try

If you prefer a milder spice, reduce the cloves to 1/4 teaspoon or omit them altogether. For a nutty crunch, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts along with the grated apple. To make this cake gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of a good 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend. You can also bake this batter as cupcakes; fill lined muffin tins about two-thirds full and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. Frost as directed.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Spice Cake

Serve this cake at room temperature. A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully with the spiced cake and caramel. For extra indulgence, drizzle additional warm caramel sauce over each slice. This cake also goes well with hot coffee or apple cider on a crisp fall day.

How to Store Leftover Apple Spice Cake

Because of the cream cheese frosting, store the cake in the refrigerator in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days. Let the cake sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving so the frosting softens slightly.

Can You Freeze Apple Spice Cake?

Yes, you can freeze this cake. For best results, bake and cool the cake completely without frosting. Wrap the cake tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before frosting and adding the caramel swirls. If the cake is already frosted, freeze it unwrapped until the frosting is firm, then wrap and freeze as above; thaw in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before serving.

How to Reheat Apple Spice Cake

This cake is best enjoyed at room temperature or slightly warm. To warm individual slices, microwave them on a microwave-safe plate for 10 to 15 seconds. If you prefer a larger portion, place slices on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for about 5 to 8 minutes. Be careful not to overheat, or the cream cheese frosting will melt.

Apple Spice Cake FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Absolutely. Honeycrisp adds sweetness, Granny Smith adds tartness. Any firm, crisp apple like Fuji, Braeburn, or Pink Lady will work well.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

You can substitute the buttermilk with a dairy-free milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon vinegar, and use vegan cream cheese and butter for the frosting. Keep in mind the texture and flavor will be slightly different.

Can I reduce the amount of sugar?

The brown sugar is essential for moisture and flavor. Reducing it may result in a drier cake. For the frosting, you can decrease the confectioners’ sugar by 1/4 cup, but the frosting will be less stiff.

How far ahead can I make this cake?

You can bake the cake a day ahead and store it unfrosted at room temperature, wrapped tightly. Frost and add the caramel swirls the day you plan to serve it.

Recipe

Apple Spice Cake with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

This cozy apple spice cake is soft, moist, and full of fall flavor. Topped with a rich salted caramel cream cheese frosting (with dreamy caramel swirls!), it's an easy dessert that’s sure to impress.

mediumVegetarian

15 min

Prep Time

35 min

Cook Time

50 min

Total Time

Servings

Dessert

Course

American

Cuisine

674 kcal

Calories

Ingredients

Servings

2.5 cup all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
0.5 tsp ground cloves
1.75 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
0.75 cup avocado oil or vegetable oil

0.5 cup buttermilk
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup grated apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
8 oz full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3.25 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
0.33 cup salted caramel sauce

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch pan and set aside.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
3
In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, applesauce, oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
4
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in the grated apple.

5
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely.
6
Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely.
7
To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and salt; mix to combine. Add the confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time, beating well between each addition. Mix until smooth.
8
With a spatula, spread cream cheese frosting evenly on cooled cake. Spoon caramel over the cake, then use a butter knife to gently swirl it into the frosting, creating large, ribbon-like swirls. Cut into pieces and serve.

Nutrition (per serving)

674kcal

Calorie breakdown

Protein5%33 kcal

Fat30%204 kcal

Carbohydrates65%443 kcal

How this was calculated — 21 of 21 ingredients matched

all-purpose flourFlour, wheat, all-purpose, enriched, bleached2196 kcal

baking powderLeavening agents, baking powder, low-sodium10 kcal

baking sodaLeavening agents, baking soda0 kcal

saltSalt, table0 kcal

ground cinnamonCinnamon buns, frosted (includes honey buns)45 kcal

ground gingerGinger root, raw4 kcal

ground nutmegOil, nutmeg butter22 kcal

ground clovesSpices, cloves, ground7 kcal

packed brown sugarSugars, brown1596 kcal

unsweetened applesauceApplesauce, canned, unsweetened, with added ascorbic acid101 kcal

avocado oil or vegetable oilOil, oat1591 kcal

buttermilkMilk, buttermilk, fluid, whole74 kcal

large eggsEgg, whole, raw, fresh6 kcal

pure vanilla extractVanilla extract43 kcal

grated apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)Apples, raw, without skin115 kcal

full-fat brick cream cheeseCheese, caraway853 kcal

unsalted butterButter, salted860 kcal

confectioners’ sugarSugar, turbinado3112 kcal

pure vanilla extractVanilla extract14 kcal

saltSalt, table0 kcal

salted caramel sauceSauce, barbecue136 kcal

Serving size ≈ 192 g · 16 servings

Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.

Open in analyzer

Keyword: apple, caramel, cream cheese, dessert, fall, Oven Baked, vegetarian

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.