I'm kicking off the fall season with an apple recipe. Okay I know it's not technically fall yet, and won't be for a few weeks, but to me September is fall and apples especially are fall.
This is a simple apple spice sheet cake with cream cheese frosting. I have no idea how it tastes because I don't eat cake but Rick assures me it is good, although maybe could have been a bit apple-ier.
I will say the whole house smells fabulous. Since I've been eating low carb I rarely bake. I am starting to slowly add carbs back into my diet and while I don't think I'll be binging on baked goods anytime soon I think the occasional small treat won't derail my efforts.
I may or may not have eaten a spoonful of cream cheese frosting while making this cake…
Apple Spice Cake (adapted from The Baker Chick which is adapted from Martha Stewart)
- 2 large Granny Smith (or other tart apple) apples peeled and cut into small pieces (about 3 cups)
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1⅓ cups vegetable oil
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat over to 350F. Oil and flour a quarter sheet pan and set aside. If you don't have a sheet pan use 13 x 9 baking pan.
- In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add the apples, 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tablespoon of white sugar. Saute for 3-5 minutes, until the apples are slightly soft.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine vegetable oil, sugar, and eggs; mix on high speed until the mixture is fluffy and light. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients while mixing on low speed until just combined. Add in the apples and gently incorporate.
- Spread batter in the sheet pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool before frosting.
- Cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time until creamy. Add the vanilla extract.
- Frost cake in the pan and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.
