Irresistibly Delicious Fresh Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Introduction

There’s no better way to celebrate apple season—or satisfy a craving for cozy fall flavors—than with a slice of Fresh Apple Cake topped with smooth cream cheese frosting. This cake packs every bite with juicy apple pieces, warm spices, and a moist crumb, all balanced by a tangy, luscious frosting. It’s a showstopper for potlucks, family gatherings, or when you want to treat yourself to something truly special without a lot of fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Irresistibly Delicious Fresh Apple Cake

What makes this fresh apple cake irresistible is its perfect harmony of flavors and textures. The sweet-tart apples keep the cake super moist, while cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg bring comforting aroma. The rich, velvety cream cheese frosting offers a tangy contrast, making each bite unforgettable. It’s a dessert that feels like a hug — easy to make, universally loved, and perfect for both everyday treats and festive occasions.

Choosing and Preparing the Best Apples

Firm, flavorful apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best for this cake. Peel, core, and dice the apples to evenly distribute their juicy bursts throughout the batter. Tossing the apple pieces with a bit of lemon juice keeps them bright and prevents browning before baking.

Crafting the Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

A classic cream cheese frosting transforms this humble cake into a decadent dessert. For a smooth and fluffy topping, use room temperature cream cheese and butter. Mix in sifted powdered sugar and a touch of vanilla extract, beating until light and creamy. This simple frosting strikes the ideal balance with the spiced apple cake, wrapping everything in sweet tanginess.

Baking and Assembly Tips

Pour the batter into a greased baking pan, spreading apples evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—the cake should spring back when lightly pressed. Let it cool completely before slathering on the cream cheese frosting to prevent melting. For extra flair, sprinkle with toasted walnuts, a pinch of cinnamon, or thin apple slices before serving.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 12 generous slices. Each serving provides approximately 375-420 calories, depending on your choice of apples and nuts. It’s a sweet treat perfect for sharing—or savoring all to yourself!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—making weekly grocery trips faster and ensuring you never forget an item!

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla.
4. Add wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring until just combined (do not overmix).
5. Toss diced apples with lemon juice, then fold them gently into the batter.
6. Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 40–45 minutes (for 9×13 pan) or 28–32 minutes (round pans), until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. For the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until light, fluffy, and smooth.
9. Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Garnish with nuts or a dusting of cinnamon if desired. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This Fresh Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting fits beautifully into any weekly meal plan—work it in as a make-ahead dessert for busy nights, weekend celebrations, or even to pack in lunchboxes. Save and schedule this recipe for the week, and CookifyAI will automatically combine your ingredients across all planned meals into a single, organized shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

• Efficiently calculates total ingredient needs for all scheduled recipes
• Keeps your shopping list organized by grocery department
• Reduces food waste through smarter planning and consolidated purchasing
• Streamlines weekly preparation—know exactly what to make and when

Pro tip: When prepping for the week, schedule other recipes that use similar ingredients like apples or butter, and CookifyAI will sum your needs for you—so you buy exactly what you need, not a bit more or less.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus cooling and frosting time)