Spiced Ina Garten Apple Spice Cake Recipe

This apple spice cake from ina garten whispers autumnal secrets through its luscious layers of warmth and comfort.

Fragrant spices weave magic into every delicate crumb, promising a sensory journey that awakens memories.

Robust seasonal ingredients pirouette across taste buds with elegant complexity.

Soft, tender textures melt seamlessly, creating a sublime dessert experience.

Baking this confection transforms ordinary kitchens into enchanted realms of sweet nostalgia.

The cake bridges rustic charm and sophisticated elegance, inviting both novice and seasoned bakers to indulge.

Let the culinary adventure begin – deliciousness awaits!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes into Ina’s Cozy Apple Spice Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Baking Powder: Fresh baking powder ensures perfect cake rise.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor depth and balances sweetness.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves: Select freshly ground spices for vibrant, aromatic notes.

• Granulated Sugar, Dark Brown Sugar: Opt for high-quality, crystalline sugars for smooth sweetness.
• Eggs: Select large, room-temperature eggs for better mixing.
• Vegetable Oil: Use neutral-flavored oil for consistent moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Choose pure vanilla for rich, authentic flavor.
• Orange Zest: Select fresh, bright oranges with firm, glossy skin.

• Dark Rum: Select aged rum for deeper, complex undertones.
• Golden Raisins: Look for plump, glossy raisins without crystallization.
• Pecans: Choose whole, crisp pecans with minimal blemishes.
• Apples: Select firm, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith.

Kitchen Gear for Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Bake

• Oven: Standard home oven for baking the cake.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Rectangular pan for even cake distribution.
• Baking Sheet: Used for toasting pecans evenly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For blending wet ingredients smoothly.
• Separate Bowl: Needed for sifting dry ingredients.
• Microwave: Quick method for rum-raisin soaking.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Ensures ingredients blend perfectly.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: Helps evenly distribute dry ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise ingredient measurement.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For folding in add-ins gently.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake to cool evenly.
• Sharp Knife: For cutting cake into squares.

How to Bake Apple Spice Cake

• Wake Up the Oven

Get your oven dancing at 350°F. Grab a 9×13 pan and give it a generous butter massage, then dust with a light flour coat so nothing sticks.

• Toast and Soak

Spread pecans on a baking sheet and roast until they’re golden and smell heavenly. Meanwhile, let raisins take a quick rum bath in the microwave, making them plump and flavorful.

• Mix Magic Potion

Grab a big bowl and whirl together sugars, eggs, oil, vanilla, and orange zest. Beat until the mixture looks silky smooth and promises deliciousness.

• Create Flavor Foundation

Sift together flour, spices, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold this magical powder into your wet mixture, creating a batter that hints at incredible taste adventures.

• Add Exciting Elements

Drain those rum-soaked raisins and toss them into the batter with toasted pecans and chopped apples. Stir so every bite will be a surprise.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top like you’re creating edible art. Slide into the oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes.

• Serve with Flair

Let the cake cool slightly, then slice into squares. Crown each piece with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a caramel waterfall for the ultimate indulgence.

Tricks to Make Ina’s Cake Even More Aromatic

Experiment with different nuts like walnuts or almonds for a unique texture and flavor profile.

Replace dark rum with bourbon or brandy to add depth and complexity to the raisins’ soaking process.

Swap vegetable oil with coconut oil for a subtle tropical undertone and accommodate dairy-free diets.

Replace apples with pears or cranberries during different times of the year to keep the recipe fresh and exciting.

Serving Apple Spice Cake the Barefoot Contessa Way

• Pair with Creamy Delight: Serve alongside a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, letting the cold, smooth sweetness complement the warm, spiced cake.
• Drizzle with Liquid Gold: Top each slice with a luxurious stream of warm caramel sauce, adding a rich, buttery dimension that enhances the cake's deep flavors.
• Sprinkle with Festive Crunch: Dust the cake with a light coating of powdered sugar or add a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans for extra texture and visual appeal.
• Create Breakfast Magic: Transform leftover slices into a decadent morning treat by toasting them lightly and spreading with a thin layer of cream cheese or butter.

Storing Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake for Later

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, preserving its moist texture and rich flavors.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, creating a convenient make-ahead dessert option for unexpected guests or sweet cravings.
• Room Temperature Revival: Remove refrigerated cake 30 minutes before serving to bring back its soft, tender consistency and enhance the complex spice notes.
• Flavor-Boosting Tip: Drizzle a bit of fresh caramel or warm rum sauce just before serving to revive the cake's moisture and add an extra layer of decadent taste.

Festive Apple Spice Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s apple spice cake provides a delightful autumn dessert with rich, warm spices and tender apple chunks. Moist layers combine classic fall flavors, creating a comforting treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup (180 ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (120 ml) dark rum
• 2 tsp (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced (3 to 4 apples)
• 2 tsp (10 ml) grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)
• 2 ½ cups (313 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 g) dark brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 cup (150 g) golden raisins
• 1 cup (113 g) chopped pecans
• 2 tsp (4 g) baking powder
• 2 tsp (4 g) ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp (1.5 g) kosher salt
• ½ tsp (1 g) ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp (1 g) ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp (0.25 g) ground cloves
• vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce for serving

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Instructions

1. Prep Workspace: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure easy cake release.
2. Enhance Flavors: Toast pecans until fragrant, then soak golden raisins in dark rum for enhanced taste complexity. Let raisins cool and absorb liquid.
3. Create Wet Base: Whisk together sugars, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest until mixture becomes silky and well-blended.
4. Combine Dry Components: Sift flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves) into wet mixture. Blend smoothly to eliminate potential lumps.
5. Incorporate Mix-ins: Drain rum-infused raisins and gently fold in toasted pecans and chopped apples, distributing ingredients evenly throughout batter.
6. Bake to Perfection: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing surface. Bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted centrally emerges clean, indicating complete cooking.
7. Serve Elegantly: Cool cake briefly, slice into squares, and present with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce drizzle for a luxurious dessert experience.

Notes

• Boost Nut Flavor: Toast pecans before adding to enhance their nutty, rich taste and create a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• Rum-Raisin Technique: Microwave raisins with rum to infuse them with deep, boozy warmth, ensuring more intense and concentrated flavor throughout the cake.
• Prevent Lumpy Batter: Sift dry ingredients separately and add gradually to wet mixture, stirring carefully to create a smooth, lump-free cake texture.
• Even Baking Trick: Smooth batter surface with a spatula and use toothpick test to ensure perfect doneness, avoiding undercooked or dry cake edges.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg