Easy Apple Cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream

If you’re craving a cozy fall dessert that tastes like a hug in every bite, this from-scratch Apple Spice Cake is exactly what you need. Packed with juicy apples, warm cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, plus a pop of sweetness from dried cranberries, this moist and flavorful cake is perfect for chilly days, family gatherings, or holiday dessert tables.

Topped with a cloud of homemade vanilla whipped cream, this easy-to-make cake brings together the comforting flavors of autumn in one delicious slice. Whether you’re baking for a fall brunch, Thanksgiving, or just because—this cake is sure to become a seasonal favorite.

Easy Apple Cake

Serves 9

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cardamon
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 7 TBS unsalted butter at room temperature
• 3 apples of assorted varieties (organic if possible)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 TBS sugar in the raw (turbinado sugar)

Vanilla Whipped Cream

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1  tsp vanilla extract
• 1 TBS confectioner’s sugar
• pinch of salt

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Line an 8″ square pan with parchment paper and grease the paper. Or alternatively, use an 8″ round pan
• Peel, core and slice the apples thinly. Set aside

• Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamon in a large bowl and set aside.
• Add the milk to the eggs and beat lightly
• Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour. Using your hands press the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
• Add the sugar

• Add the apples, dried cranberries and the milk/egg mixture to the flour and butter and gently mix until combined.

• Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Smooth the top then sprinkle the sugar in the raw (turbinado sugar) across the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 55 – 60 minutes until a tester comes out clean.
• Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes then remove on the pan to cool completely.
• While the cake is cooling make the Vanilla Whipped Cream
• Add the heavy cream, vanilla and salt to a bowl. You can either hand whisk or use a handheld mixer to beat the cream to soft peaks.
• Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Cut the cooled cake into 9 pieces.

• Serve the cake with a dollop of vanilla cream on top

How Was the Moist Apple Cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream?

This was the first time I tried this easy apple cake recipe. I felt that it needed a little bit more in the spice category than the original recipe listed. Dried cranberries were also added for that little hit of tart. To me they just belong with apples in cakes and pies. Others may disagree. They can easily be left out. That little hit of tart is such a delight.

This is a moist apple cake as you might expect from a recipe that puts 3 apples with less than 2 cups of flour. It’s really a wonderful dessert and I suspect that it’s one that will get better as it sits. I love a coffee cake that develops its flavor over time.