Apple Spice Cake with Apple Pie Filling Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Apple spiced cake with apple pie filling and caramelized walnuts between each layer; on top cream cheese frosting and apple rosettes for garnish. This cake was everything I hoped for, and more!

Prep Time1

Cook Time35

Total Time1 35

Servings: 10 people

Author: Maria

Equipment

1 Electric mixer
3 8-inch cake pans
2 mixing bowls

Ingredients

Apple spiced Cake:

4 large eggs room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups Apple purée unsweetened
1 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Cream cheese frosting:

20 ounces cream cheese room temperature
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar measured then sifted

Assembly

1 can apple pie filling (21oz)
caramel sauce store-bought, for topping
apple slices for topping

Instructions

Apple Spiced Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your three 8-inch cake pans with oil and flour, then line the bottoms with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple puree, vegetable oil, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
4 large eggs, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 2 cups (510 g) Apple purée, 1 cup (236.6 ml) vegetable oil, 3 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon allspice, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3/4 cup (165 g) brown sugar
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula, mixing just until no flour streaks remain.
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 30–40 minutes, checking at 30 minutes with a toothpick - it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10–15 minutes, then carefully run a knife around the edges and flip each onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

For the frosting, beat the butter and vanilla extract on medium speed until light and fluffy.
1 1/2 cups (340.5 g) unsalted butter, 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add the cream cheese and lemon juice, mixing just until combined.
20 ounces (567 g) cream cheese
Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar

Assembly

To assemble, level the cake layers if needed.
Place the first layer on your cake stand, spread a thin layer of frosting, then pipe a small frosting border around the edges.
Spoon half of the apple pie filling inside the border. Repeat with the second layer and remaining apple pie filling, then top with the final layer.
1 can (6 large) apple pie filling (21oz)
Crumb-coat the cake with a thin layer of frosting and chill for 30 minutes.
Finish frosting the entire cake and decorate with caramel sauce and apple slices.
(709.8 ml) caramel sauce, apple slices

Notes

Add-Ons & Substitutions

There are several ways to customize this apple spice cake for your tastes or dietary needs.

Substitute honeycrisp or gala apples in homemade apple pie filling for a different apple texture
Add a few tablespoons of sour cream to the batter for extra moist cake
Swap part of the vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a subtle nutty flavor
Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans between the layers or on the top of the cake for added crunch

Expert Tips

Make sure your eggs and other dairy are at room temperature for even mixing
Don’t overmix the batter; this keeps the cake tender and moist
Use a serrated knife to level domed cake layers for stable stacking
Chill the crumb coat before final frosting to avoid mixing crumbs into your frosting
"Warm" spices like cinnamon and allspice really shine when added to wet ingredients first

Nutrition