Quick & Cozy Ina Garten Apple Spice Cake Recipe for Fall Baking

Ina Garten’s apple spice cake represents a warm culinary embrace of autumn’s most beloved flavors.

Fragrant spices swirl through tender cake layers, promising comfort in every delectable bite.

Soft, moist textures merge with robust seasonal ingredients that dance across your palate.

Sweet and spicy notes create a harmonious symphony of taste sensations.

Baking this dessert transforms kitchens into sanctuaries of nostalgic warmth and delightful aromas.

Rustic and elegant, this cake speaks to both experienced bakers and passionate home cooks.

Each slice tells a story of traditional baking craft and heartfelt hospitality: dive in and savor the magic.

Why Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake is the Ultimate Fall Dessert

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Enjoy a symphony of tastes with rum-soaked raisins, toasted pecans, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger that create a rich, layered flavor profile perfect for fall gatherings.
• Texture Paradise: Experience a delightful contrast between the moist, tender cake, crunchy toasted pecans, and soft rum-soaked raisins that make every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: Discover an easy one-bowl method that requires minimal technical skills, making this cake approachable for bakers of all levels while delivering impressive results in just over an hour.

What You Need for Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the cake, choose a high-quality brand for best results.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy, ensure it's fresh for maximum lift.

• Granulated Sugar, Dark Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture, brown sugar provides deeper flavor complexity.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the cake's texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender, neutral flavor works well with spices.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor depth, pure extract recommended for best taste.

• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor, toasting intensifies their natural taste.
• Dark Raisins: Provides sweet chewy texture, soaking in rum increases complexity.
• Apples: Adds natural sweetness and moisture, choose firm baking varieties like Granny Smith.

• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves: Classic warm spices that create signature apple spice cake profile.

• Orange Zest: Adds bright citrus note to complement spices.
• Dark Rum: Adds depth and helps plump raisins, can substitute with apple juice if preferred.

• Vanilla Ice Cream: Classic pairing that adds creamy contrast.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides extra sweetness and richness.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and dust lightly with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Toast Pecans and Soak Raisins

• Spread chopped pecans on a baking sheet
• Toast in the oven for 5-10 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant
• Combine dark rum and golden raisins in a small bowl
• Microwave for 60 seconds to help raisins absorb rum flavor
• Set aside to cool

Step 3: Whip Wet Ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Dark brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest

Beat for 3 minutes until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Kosher salt
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Cloves

Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture, ensuring smooth blending.

Step 5: Add Flavor Boosters

• Toasted pecans
• Chopped apples

Ensure even distribution throughout the batter.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top for even cooking. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Allow cake to cool slightly. Cut into squares and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake

• Unleash Nutty Depth: Skillet-toasting pecans creates a more intense, rich flavor compared to oven roasting, with constant movement preventing bitter burning.
• Spice up the Complexity: Introducing cardamom brings a subtle, aromatic warmth that elevates the cake's traditional spice profile without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Create Apple Texture Symphony: Combining Granny Smith's sharp tang with Fuji's sweet softness delivers a multi-dimensional fruit experience in every single bite.
• Customize the Liquid Boost: Swapping rum with apple cider transforms the raisin soak, maintaining moisture while adding an extra layer of fruity brightness.
• Play with Garnish Options: Dusting the cake with powdered sugar or adding a caramel drizzle can transform the presentation and provide an unexpected flavor twist.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake

• Cool Completely: Let the cake reach room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and soggy texture. Moisture can quickly ruin the cake's delicate crumb and crisp edges.
• Freezer Strategy: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing for convenient grab-and-go treats. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor for up to 3 months.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store cake in an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid to lock in moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors. Place a paper towel on top of the cake before closing the container to absorb excess moisture and keep the cake's texture perfect for 5 days.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake

• Tropical Rum Cake: Swap apples with diced pineapple and add shredded coconut to enhance the tropical profile, keeping the rum-soaked raisin technique intact.
• Harvest Pear Spice Cake: Replace apples with ripe pears, incorporate walnuts instead of pecans, and add a touch of cardamom for a warm, autumnal flavor experience.
• Bourbon Maple Cake: Substitute dark rum with bourbon, use maple syrup in place of some sugar, and sprinkle candied pecans on top for an indulgent southern-inspired dessert.
• Gluten-Free Almond Spice Cake: Use almond flour and gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, keep the spice mixture identical, and fold in sliced almonds for added texture and nutty complexity.

Ina Garten’s Apple Spice Cake: A Warm Slice of Autumn

Culinary magic unfolds with Ina Garten’s apple spice cake, a symphony of autumnal flavors dancing across palates.

Warm spices and rum-kissed raisins create a nostalgic journey through seasonal comfort.

Pecans add delightful crunch while apples provide subtle sweetness and texture.

Kitchen aromas promise delectable memories waiting to be savored.

Complex layers of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger weave sophisticated narratives within each tender slice.

Your taste buds will applaud this masterpiece – go ahead, share the recipe, comment with culinary passion, and spread deliciousness across social networks.

Ina Garten Apple Spice Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s apple spice cake delivers warmth from classic autumn flavors with rich cinnamon and tender apples. Home bakers can savor this comforting dessert that promises delightful memories of seasonal gatherings around a delicious homemade treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fresh Produce:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced (3 to 4 apples)
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 grams) dark brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 cup (150 grams) golden raisins
• 1 cup (113 grams) chopped pecans
• 2 teaspoons (4 grams) baking powder
• 2 teaspoons (4 grams) ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.25 gram) ground cloves

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) dark rum
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) pure vanilla extract
• Vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking pan with grease, then lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Toast pecans on a baking sheet in the oven for 5-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. In a separate small bowl, combine dark rum and golden raisins, microwaving for 60 seconds to infuse flavors. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Beat vigorously for approximately 3 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and well incorporated.
4. Sift all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves into a separate bowl. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Drain the rum-soaked raisins thoroughly. Gently fold the raisins, toasted pecans, and chopped apples into the batter, ensuring even distribution of ingredients throughout the mixture.
6. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is fully baked.
7. Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve each portion accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a delicate drizzle of warm caramel sauce for an indulgent finishing touch.

Notes

• Swap dark rum with apple cider or juice for a family-friendly twist that keeps the cake’s delicious spirit.
• Toast pecans beforehand to unlock their rich, nutty essence and introduce a satisfying crunch to each bite.
• Golden raisins soaked in rum transform into little pockets of boozy delight scattered throughout the cake.
• Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to ensure a perfect balance of tartness and texture.
• Bring eggs to room temperature to help them blend seamlessly and create a smoother, more consistent batter.
• Grate fresh orange zest to infuse a bright, citrusy note that dances beautifully with the warm spice blend.
• Make this cake ahead of time, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for an even more delectable dessert.
• Finish with a sprinkle of toasted pecans on top for an irresistible crunch and eye-catching presentation.
• Serve slightly warm to awaken the cake’s aromatic spices and create a truly comforting dessert experience.
• Keep leftover cake covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate to extend its delicious life.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Sugar: 60 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg