This aromatic Ina Garten Apple Spice Cake is prepared using Granny Smith apples, pecans, dark rum, golden raisins, and a blend of spices. This Apple Spice Cake recipe is a dessert that takes about 1 hour to prepare and can serve up to 12 people.

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Ina Garten Apple Spice Cake Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced (3 to 4 apples)
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup dark rum
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed
3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce for serving

How To Make Ina Garten Apple Spice Cake

Preheat Your Oven: Start by turning on your oven to 350°F. Then, take a 9×13-inch baking pan and grease it thoroughly, dusting it lightly with flour afterward.
Toast and Soak: Spread your chopped pecans evenly on a baking sheet, toasting them in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes, just until they start to brown and smell nutty. Meanwhile, combine the dark rum and golden raisins in a small bowl. Heat them in the microwave for 60 seconds to let the raisins soak up all that rum flavor. Set these aside to cool.
Mix Your Wet Ingredients: Grab a large mixing bowl and beat together the granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Keep beating for about 3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine Your Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into your wet mix, ensuring everything blends together without clumping.
Fold in the Flavors: Drain your rum-soaked raisins. Then, fold them into your batter along with the toasted pecans and chopped apples. Make sure everything is distributed evenly throughout the batter.
Bake the Cake: Pour your final batter into the prepared baking pan. Smooth out the top so the cake cooks evenly. Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool down a bit before cutting it into squares. Serve each piece with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel sauce.

Recipe Tips

Boost the nutty flavor: Try toasting the pecans in a skillet instead of the oven, shaking often, to enhance their flavor without risking burning them.
Enhance the spice profile: Add a pinch of cardamom to the spice mix to introduce a slightly sweet, floral note that complements the existing flavors beautifully.
Elevate the apple texture: Mix different types of apples, such as a combination of Granny Smith and Fuji, for a blend of tartness and sweetness with varied textures.
Experiment with the rum: Substitute apple cider or apple juice for the rum in the raisin soaking process if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.

What To Serve With Apple Spice Cake

Serve your Apple Spice Cake with spiced apple compote, candied ginger ice cream, walnut praline, chai-spiced custard, and espresso mascarpone cream.

You can also pair it with cinnamon oat crumble, hazelnut gelato, or caramelized apple slices for an extra special touch.

How To Store Apple Spice Cake

To Refrigerate: Wrap your Apple Spice Cake in cling film or store it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge to maintain freshness and flavor for up to 5 days.

To Freeze: Apple Spice Cake freezes well when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to ensure it retains its moisture and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of apple instead of Granny Smith for this cake?

Yes, you can use different types of apples, such as Fuji or Honeycrisp, to alter the sweetness and texture of the cake. However, Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness and firmness, which hold up well during baking.

How do I know when the Apple Spice Cake is fully baked?

The cake is fully baked when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating no wet batter. It usually takes about 35-40 minutes in a preheated oven at 350°F.

Is it necessary to toast the pecans before adding them to the batter?

Toasting the pecans is not strictly necessary, but it is recommended to enhance their flavor and crunchiness. Toasting brings out a richer taste, which complements the spices in the cake.