If this Apple Spice Ale Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting doesn’t scream fall then I don’t know what does. Make this quickly as a sheet cake or dolled up as a layer cake. The batter is easy to make and is filled with beautiful spices. The cream cheese frosting is not too sweet and makes the perfect companion for this apple spice cake.
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I love the versatility and simplicity of this apple spice cake. The cake requires only one bowl and takes just minutes to prepare. Simply pour the batter into a baking pan or evenly divide it amongst 3 cake pans for a more elegant presentation. However you decide to make this cake, I can guarantee it will taste delicious. This moist, spongy cake is topped with a light and fluffy spiced cream cheese frosting that is finger-lickin’ good.
Ingredients for Apple Spice Ale Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Beer in cake? I know what you’re thinking, but trust me, it takes this cake to the next level. The beer adds a more complex depth of flavor and enhances the apple and spices. The beer also helps add some extra moisture to the cake and makes it feel lighter. The cake itself isn’t too sweet, the apples provide that element of sweetness while the spices add some vibrancy to every bite.
Apple Spice Ale Cake
- dark brown sugar – You can use coconut sugar for a slightly healthier substitute to dark brown sugar. You won’t be able to tell the difference.
- eggs
- unsweetened applesauce
- amber ale or pumpkin ale – use your favorite fall-inspired beer!
- neutral oil
- maple syrup
- ground cinnamon
- ground cardamom
- ground ginger
- ground cloves
- fine sea salt
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- baking powder
Cream Cheese Frosting
- cream cheese
- unsalted butter
- confectioner’s sugar
- maple syrup
- ground cinnamon
Here’s what else you’ll need:
- large mixing bowl
- whisk
- rubber spatula
- 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan or 3 6-inch round baking pans
- stand mixer or electric hand mixer
- measuring cups and spoons
How to Make Apple Spice Ale Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This one-bowl cake could not be easier to make! Combine all of the cake ingredients in one bowl, pour the batter into the baking pan, then bake to perfection! Once the cake is cooled to room temperature, you can go ahead and prepare the frosting (which is magical).
Apple Spice Ale Cake
- Whisk together the eggs and brown sugar in a large bowl until foamy. Add the applesauce, beer, maple syrup, oil and all of the spices and whisk to combine.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk to combine. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan (see notes below for layer cake instructions). Bake until cake is nicely browned. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon and cardamom and mix until smooth. Add the confectioners sugar and mix until well combined and smooth. Spread the frosting on the cake once it has cooled and serve.
More Holiday Baking Recipes
- Apple and Brie Galette with Pretzel Walnut Crust
- Baked Pumpkin Pudding Cups
- Chai Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes
- Apple Cider Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Cream Cheese Butter
- Mexican Hot Cocoa Pudding (Vegan)
View all holiday baking recipes here
Please let me know how your Apple Spice Ale Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting turns out in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Make sure to checkout the Spotify playlists I’ve paired with this recipe below!
Apple Spice Ale Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
If this Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting doesn't scream fall then I don't know what does. Make this quickly as a sheet cake or dolled up as a layer cake. The batter is easy to make and is filled with beautiful spices. The cream cheese frosting is not too sweet and makes the perfect companion for this apple spice cake.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together the eggs and brown sugar in a large bowl until foamy. Add the applesauce, beer, oil, maple syrup and all of the spices and whisk to combine.
To the same bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk to combine. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan (see notes below for layer cake instructions). Bake for 30 minutes or when cake is nicely browned. Use a toothpick to test doneness of cake. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or handheld mixer if you don't have one), add the cream cheese and butter to a bowl and mix on medium until smooth. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon and cardamom and mix on medium until smooth. Finally, add the confectioner's sugar and mix until well combined and smooth. Spread the frosting on the cake once it has cooled and serve. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk together the eggs and brown sugar in a large bowl until foamy. Add the applesauce, beer, oil, maple syrup and all of the spices and whisk to combine.
To the same bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk to combine. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan (see notes below for layer cake instructions). Bake for 30 minutes or when cake is nicely browned. Use a toothpick to test doneness of cake. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or handheld mixer if you don't have one), add the cream cheese and butter to a bowl and mix on medium until smooth. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon and cardamom and mix on medium until smooth. Finally, add the confectioner's sugar and mix until well combined and smooth. Spread the frosting on the cake once it has cooled and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
LAYER CAKE INSTRUCTIONS:
For the cake, pour the batter evenly into 3 greased 6-inch round cake pans. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a toothpick to test doneness of cake. Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting, divide the frosting into 4 equal parts. Spread a layer of frosting in between each layer of cake including the top. Using a piping bag, pipe small swirls on the top of the cake. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks.
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