Get ready for a cozy twist on classic flavors! This Apple Pie Cake combines the best of both worlds: the warm, spiced apple goodness of apple pie and the soft, tender layers of a cake. Perfect for fall gatherings or whenever you're craving comfort in dessert form!
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This apple pie cake recipe takes all the warm, comforting flavors of the classic American apple pie and transforms them into a moist, indulgent layer cake. It’s like enjoying a slice of this apple streusel pie but in the form of a fluffy, spiced cake that’s perfect for any occasion.
This cake brings together all the cozy flavors of fall and a classic apple pie: a spiced cake base, filled with a caramelized apple pie filling, and topped with a creamy mascarpone frosting and a crunchy streusel topping.
It's the perfect dessert for special occasions, birthdays, or any time you want to impress with an easy, cozy, and indulgent treat that captures the warmth of homemade comfort.
Why you'll love this recipe
Craving for more apple recipes? Give these a try: French apple tart, French apple cake, Rustic apple galette, Puff pastry appel tart.
Ingredients Notes
Here are the components of this apple pie layer cake:
- Spiced Sponge Cake: My buttermilk vanilla cake infused with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg for that cozy fall flavor.
- Apple Filling: A classic apple pie filling with apples caramelized in butter, brown sugar, and spices.
- Mascarpone Whipped Cream: This mascarpone frosting is made from mascarpone, heavy cream, and powdered sugar, which can be swapped for a cream cheese frosting or mascarpone covering.
- Streusel: A classic streusel made with flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
How To Make Apple Pie Streusel Cake
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that the full instructions with exact ingredients are in the main recipe card below!
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients together, including flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom.
Step 2: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the softened butter with the white and brown sugars, then add the room temperature eggs and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Gradually alternate adding the buttermilk mixture and the dry ingredients mixture until you get a smooth batter.
Step 4: Pour the cake batter into 3 lined round cake pans and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 35 minutes, until golden brown and fully baked in the center.
Step 5: In a skillet, cook the apple pieces with butter, sugar, vanilla, and spices until they are caramelized and tender.
Let the apple filling cool completely.
Step 6: In a mold lined with parchment paper, place the first cake layer, add a layer of mascarpone whipped cream, a layer of apple filling, and sprinkle with streusel.
Step 7: Cover with the second cake layer and repeat until the last layer then cover the cake with the mascarpone frosting and decorate with streusel and fresh apples.
Enjoy! Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Salted Caramel Drizzle: For an extra layer of indulgent sweetness.
- Creamy Custard: Pairs perfectly to enhance the creamy texture.
- Spiced Drink: Enjoy with chai tea latte or pumpkin spice latte for cozy fall flavors.
- Extra Streusel: Add a bit of crunchy texture to each slice.
- Caramelized Nuts or Almonds: For added crunch and flavor.
- Whipped Cream: Lightly sweetened for extra creaminess and sweetness.
Tips for this recipe
Storage instructions
Storage: Keep the layer cake refrigerated, well covered in an airtight container, for up to 3-4 days. Take it out 30 minutes before serving.
Freezing: Freeze without the streusel to maintain its crunch. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in an airtight bag. Store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and add the streusel before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
More Cakes
I hope you love this apple pie layer cake. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!
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Apple Pie Cake
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8 slices
Description
This Apple Pie Cake combines spiced cake layers, a sweet apple filling, mascarpone frosting, and a crunchy streusel. (6-inch cake/ serving 8-10)
Ingredients
Spiced Cake
- 150 g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter – very softened
- 200 g (1 cup) white sugar
- 100 g (½ cup) light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs – room temperature
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 270 g (2 ¼ cups) cake flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 220 ml (1 cup) buttermilk
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
Apple pie Filling
- 4 apples
- 60 g (¼ cup) unsalted butter
- 65 g (⅓ cup) light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Mascarpone Whipped Cream
- 150 g (5.3 oz) mascarpone – cold
- 200 g (¾ cup) heavy cream – cold
- 50 g (½ cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Spiced Sponge Cake
- Preheat the oven to 165°C (325°F) and prepare three 15 cm (6-inch) round cake pans by greasing and lining only the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix and sift together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- In a separate large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat again for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well-combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk alternately in batches, mixing gently with a spatula between each addition, until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (check after 35 minutes; if not done, bake for an additional 5 minutes).
- Let the cakes cool in their pans for a few minutes, then carefully run a knife along the edges and remove them. Place the cakes upside down on a cooling rack to cool completely.
Apple pie Filling
- Cut the apples into pieces and mix them with lemon juice and cinnamon.
- In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar and vanilla until combined.
- Add the apple pieces to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are caramelized and tender.
- Let the apple filling cool completely.
Streusel
- Follow the Streusel recipe and let it cool completely.
Mascarpone Whipped Cream
- In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cold mascarpone, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla for about 2-3 minutes until thick and spreadable.
Mascarpone Frosting for Covering
- Prepare the mascarpone frosting following the whipped mascarpone recipe and keep it chilled until ready to frost the cake.
Assembling the Layer Cake
(Assemble the cake in a deep cake pan lined with parchment or using a tall, adjustable cake ring)
- Trim the tops of the cakes if needed using a cake leveler or a large serrated knife.
- Place the first cake layer in the pan or ring, add a layer of mascarpone whipped cream, apple filling, and a few streusel pieces.
- Add the second cake layer and repeat the process, finishing with the final layer of cake.
- Chill the assembled cake for about 30 minutes to 1 hour in the fridge, or for 15 minutes in the freezer.
- Cover the cake with a thin layer of mascarpone frosting and smooth it with a metal icing scraper.
- Let the cake rest in the fridge for 1 hour before decorating with streusel and apple pieces, and serve with salted caramel sauce.
Notes
*For the best baking results, I recommend using a digital scale to measure ingredients in grams instead of cups. Precise measurements ensure consistent and perfect outcomes every time.
Storage: Keep the layer cake in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3-4 days. Remove it 30 minutes before serving to regain its soft texture.
Tips and Tricks:
- Use firm apples to prevent them from becoming too soft during baking.
- Whip the mascarpone gently to maintain its light texture.
- Sprinkle the streusel just before serving to keep it crispy.
- Homemade buttermilk: Mix 210 ml (about 1 cup) of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes before using.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Cake Design, Layer cake, ganache, frosting
- Cuisine: American
Hello,
How do you adjust to use two 8 inch pans or three 9 inch pans?
Hello!
To use two 8-inch pans, make 1.5 times the recipe. For three 9-inch pans, double the recipe. Bake time might be a bit shorter, so start checking 5 minutes earlier.
Let me know if you need more tips!
Thank you so much! I made your Apple Pie Cupcakes and they were a huge hit. Excited to see how the cake goes over today!