This simple Apple Cake recipe is filled with an entire cup of tart, fall apples and a hint of apple pie spices! A creamy Maple Buttercream Frosting and a sprinkling of cinnamon allspice sugar top off this fall cake!

Warm, cozy spices combined with fresh, tart apples and a hint of maple make this Apple Cake with Maple Frosting shine. It’s like having all of the best scents of fall wrapped up into one dessert!

Apple season is here! That means having pounds of apples in our house at all times.

And since we can’t possibly eat them all before they go bad, that also means lots of baked goods that incorporate apples.

One recipe that I turn to to use up our overabundance of apples is this fresh apple cake with maple buttercream frosting.

This cake is filled with chopped apples and warm hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. A combination that makes the house smell amazing, by the way!

Yogurt and applesauce are used in the cake to keep it tender and moist. You can use white whole wheat flour to add a boost of whole grains or stick to all-purpose flour.

Because it’s reasonably healthy, this apple cake would make a great breakfast or snack if you leave off the frosting.

Of course, there would be no judgement if you don’t leave the frosting off! The maple frosting is just sweet enough to add flavor without being overpowering.

A sprinkle of cinnamon allspice over the top ties the flavors of the cake to the frosting to create a new fall favorite cake!

How to Make Maple Frosted Apple Cake

Making this cake is simple. You whisk together your dry ingredients in one bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and maple syrup until well-combined Beat in the rest of your wet ingredients.

Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in your chopped apples, and the base of your cake is done!

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and then remove to a wire rack to cool.

While the cake is cooling, beat together the confectioner’s sugar and butter. Add in extracts and milk, and beat until smooth and creamy.

Spread the buttercream frosting over the top of the cooled cake.

If you’d like an added pop of flavor, stir together sugar, cinnamon, and allspice. Sprinkle over the frosting.

Serve! For best results, this cake will stay the freshest if kept covered in the refrigerator.

Tips for Making Fresh Apple Cake with Maple Frosting

• Don’t like the maple flavor? Swap out the maple syrup in the cake for honey, and leave the maple extract out of the frosting. The cake will still taste great!
• For a slight variation and a bit of crunch, stir in a 1/2 cup chopped walnuts into the batter when stirring in the chopped apples.
• Use a flavorful baking apple to get the best results in texture and flavor.

Love baking with apples? Try these apple recipes!

• Baked Apple Fritters
• Apple Peanut Butter Crisp
• Apple Cream Cheese Danishes

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Apple Cake with Maple Frosting

Yield: 9 pieces

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

This is Apple Cake recipe is filled with an entire cup of tart, fall apples and a hint of apple pie spice! A creamy Maple Buttercream Frosting and a sprinkling of cinnamon allspice sugar tops of this fall cake!

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Ingredients

For the Cake

• 1/4 Cup butter, softened
• 1/2 Cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 Cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 Cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 Cups white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 Cup finely chopped apples

For the Frosting

• 2 1/2 - 3 Cups confectioner's sugar
• 1/2 Cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
• 2 - 4 teaspoons milk

For the Cinnamon Allspice Sugar, optional

• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a stand mixer, or with an electric hand mixer, beat together butter and honey (or maple syrup) until creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add in yogurt, applesauce, and vanilla extract and beat until thoroughly combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat until combined. Gently fold in apples.
4. Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
5. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool.
6. While cake is cooling, prepare frosting. Beat together butter and 2 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar. Add in extracts and 2 teaspoons milk. Beat until smooth. If more confectioner’s sugar is needed, add 2 tablespoons at a time up to another 1/2 cup. If more liquid is needed, add up to another 2 teaspoons milk Spread over cooled cake.
7. Stir together sugar, cinnamon, and allspice in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the top of the frosting.
8. Cut into pieces and serve. Best eaten in 2-3 days. This cake will stay freshest if kept in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 306Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 301mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 2gSugar: 34gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and may not always be accurate. Nutrition values can vary greatly based on brand used. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.

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