Layers of moist, spice-filled cake, Vanilla Bean Buttercream, and a Spiced Apple Topping make this delicious dessert a true crowd-pleaser.
Apple Spice Cake
Serves: 1 (8-inch) cake
Ingredients
- 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup whole buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 3⁄4 cup vegetable oil
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1⁄2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- Vanilla Bean Buttercream (recipe follows)
- Spiced Apple Topping (recipe follows)
- 1⁄3 cup candied pecans*,coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with baking spray with flour. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, baking soda, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger.
- In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla; stir in sugars. Add flour mixture, and whisk until just combined. Divide batter between prepared pans, leveling as needed.
- Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Level cooled cakes, if desired. Place 1 cake layer on a cake board or serving dish. Spread 1 1⁄2 cups Vanilla Bean Buttercream on top. Top with remaining cake layer; spread remaining Vanilla Bean Buttercream on top and sides of cake as desired, creating a slight border along top edge. When ready to serve, spoon Spiced Apple Topping on top of cake. Top with candied pecans.
Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Serves: 5 cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 5 1⁄2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1⁄3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and salt at medium speed until smooth and creamy. With mixer on low speed, add confectioners’ sugar in three additions alternately with cream. Beat in vanilla bean paste. Increase mixer speed to high, and beat until pale and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Use immediately.
Spiced Apple Topping
Serves: 1¼ cups
Ingredients
- 1 1⁄2 cups chopped peeled Gala apple (about 1 medium apple)
- 1⁄4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss together apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to coat. Add lemon juice and vanilla.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add apple mixture, and stir until combined. Bring to a boil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons water and cornstarch. Slowly add cornstarch mixture to apple mixture, stirring constantly. Return mixture to a boil, and cook, stirring frequently, until thick and translucent and apples are tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool completely before using.
