Calling all fans of fall! This Instant Pot Apple Spice Cake recipe is crazy good. Topped with spiced apple and delicious caramel topping you're going to love this easy fall cake recipe.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Festive Flavor: This Instant Pot apple cake recipe is bursting with warm, autumnal spices and sweet apples.
- Effortless Baking: The Instant Pot simplifies the baking process, ensuring a perfect cake.
- Versatile Dessert: Serve this apple spice cake as a breakfast treat or a delicious dessert - your choice!
📋 Ingredients
- Spice Cake Mix: Boxed cake mix provides a convenient, flavorful base for the cake. You don't need the baking soda.
- Water: Moistens the cake mix, activating the ingredients to create the batter.
- Canola Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender texture in the cake.
- Large Eggs: Act as a binding agent, helping the cake hold its shape.
- Springform Pan: Allows for easy removal of the cake after baking.
- Round Cake Board: Provides a sturdy base for decorating and serving the cake.
Caramel Apple Pie Topping Ingredients
- Apple Pie Filling: Adds a sweet, fruity layer that complements the spice cake.
- Salted Caramel Sauce: This salted caramel sauce provides a decadent, sweet-salty finish to the cake.
Cinnamon Frosting Ingredients
- Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter: Creates a creamy, rich base for the frosting.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and helps it hold its shape.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor to the frosting.
- Ground Cinnamon: Infuses the frosting with warm spice, complementing the apple and caramel flavors.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Lightens the frosting, giving it a fluffy, spreadable consistency.
- Piping Bag with Star Tip: Allows for decorative application of the frosting.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Fruit Mix-Ins: Enhance the cake by adding other fruits like pears, dried cranberries, or raisins alongside the apples for a varied texture and flavor profile.
- Spice Adjustments: Experiment with your spice blend by incorporating extra ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom, or reducing cinnamon for a different aromatic balance.
- Flour Alternatives: Substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, oat flour, or a gluten-free blend to adjust the cake’s texture and nutritional profile.
- Moisture & Sweetness Tweaks: Replace part of the applesauce with pumpkin puree or a splash of maple syrup to create a richer, deeper flavor while maintaining moisture.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Apple Spice Cake?
- Using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake mix, canola oil, water and eggs until combined and smooth.
- Spray the springform pan or push pan with pam baking spray.
- Pour half of the batter into the pan, filling it to about ¾ halfway full.
- Place your trivet inside up the instant pot.
- Cover the top of the springform pan with a paper towel and foil.
- Place the springform pan into the instant pot and close the lid, making sure the vent is sealed. Pressure cook on manual/high pressure for 30 minutes.
- Do a natural release for 15 minutes.
- Remove the cake and let cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Place cake onto the cake board.
- Using a cake leveller, cut the dome off and slice the cake in half.
- Using a standing mixer, beat all ingredients together until combined, smooth and stiff with peaks. Scoop one cup of frosting into the piping bag and set aside.
- Remove the apples from the apple pie filling and chop them into bite-size pieces place them into a bowl with about 3 tablespoon of the filling jam.
- Using the bottom layer of the cake, scoop 1 cup of frosting onto the layer and smooth evenly. Place the second layer on top.
- Using the remaining frosting, frost the entire cake. Using the piping bag, pipe dollops along the edge of the cake. Scoop the apple pie filling into the center of the top of the cake.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld together. This step ensures that the cake is firm and easier to slice.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Choose the Right Apples: Opt for firm apples with a balance of sweet and tart flavors, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, to add depth to your apple spice cake.
- Eggs at Room Temperature: Ensure eggs are at room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother batter and a more uniform cake texture.
- Make Without Springform Pan: To use a bundt cake pan instead of a springform pan for an Instant Pot spice cake, ensure the bundt pan fits the Instant Pot and grease it well for easy removal.
- Use Diced Apples: For a moist and flavorful Instant Pot spice cake, layer thinly sliced apples at the bottom of the pan to infuse each bite with a sweet and aromatic apple essence.
💭 FAQs
What types of apples are best for apple spice cake?
Tart, firm apples like Granny Smith are ideal for apple spice cakes, as they maintain their texture during baking and provide a pleasant contrast to the cake's sweetness.
Can I use applesauce instead of oil or butter in the cake batter?
Yes, substituting unsweetened applesauce for oil or butter can reduce fat content while keeping the cake moist. This substitution works well in apple spice cakes, enhancing the apple flavor without compromising texture.
How should I store apple spice cake, and how long will it stay fresh?
To maintain freshness, store apple spice cake in an airtight container. If unfrosted, it can be kept at room temperature for up to two days. If frosted, especially with cream cheese frosting, refrigerate the cake, where it will remain fresh for up to four days.
Is it possible to make apple spice cake using a cake mix?
Absolutely. You can start with a box of spice cake mix and enhance it by adding unsweetened applesauce, chopped apples, or raisins. This approach simplifies the baking process while delivering a flavorful cake.
Best Way to Store Apple Spice Cake
Wrap leftover slices of your apple spice cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container; suitable for up to 2 days.
Place slices in an airtight container; keep well for up to 5 days.
Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer bag; can be stored for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Apple Spice Cake:
- Ice Cream: A classic pairing, the cold creaminess complements the warm spice cake.
- Maple Pecan Whipped Cream: Whipped cream with a hint of maple and a sprinkle of pecans.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Apple Spice Cake
This Instant Pot Apple Spice Cake is the ultimate fall dessert! Moist, spiced to perfection, and packed with tender apple pieces, this cake is made effortlessly in your Instant Pot. It's perfect for cozy nights, family gatherings, or anytime you want a dessert that brings all the comforting flavors of autumn together.
Ingredients
For The Cake
- 1 Box Spice Cake Mix
- 1 Cup Water
- ½ Cup Canola Oil
- 3 Eggs
Ingredients For Caramel Apple Pie Topping
- 1 8 oz Can Apple Pie Filling
- 1 bottle Salted Caramel Sauce
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 Cup Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter softened
- 2 ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- 3-5 tablespoon Heavy Whipping Cream
Instructions
- Using a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake mix, canola oil, water and eggs until combined and smooth.
- Spray the springform pan or push pan with pam baking spray.
- Pour half of the batter into the pan, filling it to about ¾ halfway full.
- Place your trivet inside up the instant pot.
- Cover the top of the springform pan with a paper towel and foil.
- Place the springform pan into the instant pot and close the lid, making sure the vent is sealed. Pressure cook on manual/high pressure for 30 minutes.
- Do a natural release for 15 minutes.
- Remove the cake and let cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Place cake onto the cake board.
- Using a cake leveller, cut the dome off and slice the cake in half.
- Using a standing mixer, beat all ingredients together until combined, smooth and stiff with peaks. Scoop one cup of frosting into the piping bag and set aside.
- Remove the apples from the apple pie filling and chop them into bite-size pieces place them into a bowl with about 3 tablespoon of the filling jam.
- Using the bottom layer of the cake, scoop 1 cup of frosting onto the layer and smooth evenly.
- Place the second layer on top.
- Using the remaining frosting, frost the entire cake.
- Using the piping bag, pipe dollops along the edge of the cake.
- Scoop the apple pie filling into the center of the top of the cake.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over the cake.
- Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld together. This step ensures that the cake is firm and easier to slice.
- Allow the apple spice cake to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Choose the Right Apples: Opt for firm apples with a balance of sweet and tart flavors, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, to add depth to your apple spice cake.
Eggs at Room Temperature: Ensure eggs are at room temperature before mixing to achieve a smoother batter and a more uniform cake texture.
Make Without Springform Pan: To use a bundt cake pan instead of a springform pan for an Instant Pot spice cake, ensure the bundt pan fits the Instant Pot and grease it well for easy removal.
Use Diced Apples: For a moist and flavorful Instant Pot spice cake, layer thinly sliced apples at the bottom of the pan to infuse each bite with a sweet and aromatic apple essence.
Nutrition
Calories: 1472kcalCarbohydrates: 262gProtein: 6gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 770mgPotassium: 562mgFiber: 8gSugar: 160gVitamin A: 1047IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 5mg
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