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Ina Garten Apple Spice Cake

It’s a soft, aromatic spice cake made with grated apples and pantry spices, commonly baked in a bundt or rectangular pan. The apples keep the cake moist, while spices create a cozy, fall-inspired flavor that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or afternoon tea.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1½ cups vegetable oil

  • 3 extra-large eggs, room temperature

  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3 cups peeled and grated apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Optional Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 23 tablespoons apple cider or milk

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or a 10-inch bundt pan thoroughly.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined and light in texture.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4: Mix and Add the Apples

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined.
Gently fold in the grated apples and nuts (if using) with a spatula.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly.

  • Bake for 45–50 minutes if using a 9×13 pan

  • Bake for 55–60 minutes if using a bundt pan
    Check doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center—it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Glaze (Optional)

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.
For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk or cider until smooth and drizzle over the cooled cake.