Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
Published Nov 25, 2020 Updated Jul 11, 2023
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This Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting is in my top 3 favorite holiday desserts. It requires minimal ingredients and can be whipped up in no time it all. This cake includes boxed cake mix along with canned apple pie filling. This cake is simply magical and will please a crowd.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Spice cake mix
- Canned Apple pie filling
- Butter
- Eggs
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
HOW TO MAKE THIS APPLE CAKE WITH BROWN SUGAR FROSTING
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a non a 9X13 cake pan. Beat together the spice cake mix, apple pie filling, eggs and melted butter until well blended. Using a hand held blender will break up the apple pieces nicely. The batter however will still be chunky.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out almost clean. Once done, allow the cake to cool completely. Whip the butter and cream brown sugar, vanilla and maple syrup. Once whipped together, gradually add in the powdered sugar. Add milk or whipping cream until desired texture.
Once the cake is cooled completely, spread evenly over the top of the apple cake.
TIPS & TRICKS
- Hand held mixer is a MUST: Be sure to use a hand held mixer when combining the cake batter and apple pie filling. This will break up the apple pieces nicely. Although, the apple pieces will be smaller, the batter will still be chunky.
- Heavy whipping cream: This will be key when making the Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting. I usually use 1 1/2 tablespoon and it gives me the perfect consistency. However, if you like you frosting thinner, add another tablespoon or so.
- Store in the fridge: This cake is awesome at room temperature but I’m obsessed with it straight out of the fridge. I feel like the icing is so much better after it sits in the fridge.
My 2 and 6 year old absolutely LOVE this recipe. I think if I gave them a bowl of the icing they would eat it all. For Thanksgiving this year, I’m making this dessert for them and my Cream Cheese Pecan Pie for everyone else. Not only is this adult friendly, but kids will love it too. It’s a win, win!
SHOP MY POST
Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
Ingredients
- 1- box spice cake mix
- 1-21 oz. can apple pie filling
- 1/2 stick salted butter melted
- 4 large eggs
BROWN SUGAR FROSTING
- 1-8 oz. package cream cheese
- 1/2 stick butter softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
APPLE CAKE
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a non a 9X13 cake pan.Â
- Beat together the spice cake mix, apple pie filling, eggs and melted butter until well blended. Using a hand held blender will break up the apple pieces nicely. The batter however will still be chunky.Â
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out almost clean. Once done, allow the cake to cool completely.Â
BROWN SUGAR FROSTING
- Whip the butter and cream brown sugar, vanilla and maple syrup. Once whipped together, gradually add in the powdered sugar. Add whipping cream until desired texture.Â
- Once the cake is cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly over the top of the apple cake.Â
Notes
- Store any leftovers covered in the fridge for 5 days
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This cake is delicious!!! I made it for Thanksgiving and it was a favorite. Few ingredients, simple to make. I can tell this will be a regular on our dessert menu.
Thank you so much! So happy to hear it’s a hit
We love this cake for all of our holiday desserts. I get a little tripped up on the directions for the frosting because they don’t say when to incorporate the cream cheese but I guess I always seem to figure it out. My frosting does always seem a little crunchy from the brown sugar which I find odd. But it tastes great just would like a smother consistency.