How To Make Spiced Apple Almond Cake

This Apple Spiced Almond cake is exactly what you’re looking for as the weather gets cooler. Topped with a brown sugar glaze makes this to die for!

This delish recipe is part of our ongoing collaboration with our sister blog, Whisk & Wunder — where we share beautiful recipes for our German-speaking audience!
If you’re looking for the German version of this recipe, click here.

Für das Rezept auf Deutsch klick einfach hier: Zum deutschen Rezept


It’s finally fall baking season!

It’s that time a year again! The AC is officially off, the cozy blankets are back on the couch and Gilmore Girls is back on the TV. Everyone rewatches GG’s every fall right? Not just in our household?

Gilmore Girls fan or not, there’s something magical about apple cake in the fall. This spiced apple almond cake combines tender slices of apple with a buttery almond flour base, warm spices, and a drizzle of glossy brown sugar glaze. It’s the kind of cake that makes your kitchen smell like cinnamon and nutmeg, with a rich, moist crumb that keeps you coming back for “just one more slice.”

Excited to dive in? Keep reading or…

Jump to Recipe

Cozy Fall Baking with Apples and Almond Flour 🍂

We first made this cake because it rained for approximately 30 minutes in Los Angeles and we had just come back from Canada. We walked over to Trader Joes and all the fall fixings were already on sale! Including the Almond flour which gives the crumb a nutty richness, while the apples soften and caramelize on top. Paired with a spoonful of Greek yogurt mixed with honey, it feels like a bakery-worthy dessert that somehow still fits a weeknight.


Is This Apple Almond Cake Budget-Friendly? 💸

Yes! This cake uses pantry staples plus one or two apples. Almond flour can be pricey, but since only a quarter of the flour is swapped, the cost stays reasonable. Even better, you can use any apple you already have on hand. We usually buy our baking supplies in bulk, but we have been trying to be more mindful of bringing budget friendly recipes, and we check grocery store prices before making any recipe!


Why you’ll love this Spiced Apple Almond Cake ❤️

  • Soft, buttery cake with almond flour for richness
  • Warm fall spices baked right in (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
  • Topped with tender apple slices and a brown sugar sprinkle
  • Finished with a glossy brown sugar glaze
  • Perfect with coffee, tea, or a dollop of honey-swirled Greek yogurt

If you love this, you’ll love…


Pin me 📌

Save this cozy apple almond cake to your fall baking board! 🍂 And if you’re not on our mailing list yet, sign up—you’ll get more recipes like this, from easy apple desserts to quick weeknight bakes.


Ingredients for Apple Spice Cake

Dry Ingredients
  • 200 g (1 ½ cups + 2 Tbsp) all-purpose flour
  • 65 g (½ cup) almond flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
  • 113 g (½ cup / 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 75 g (6 Tbsp) caster sugar*
  • 75 g (6 Tbsp, packed) light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 120 g (½ cup) full-fat sour cream, room temperature
  • 30 ml (2 Tbsp) milk
Topping & Glaze
  • 1–2 apples, thinly sliced
  • Extra ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves for sprinkling
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar (for topping)
  • 50 g (¼ cup) brown sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 Tbsp butter (for glaze)
  • 1 Tbsp milk (for glaze)

*If you don’t have caster sugar, blitz regular sugar in a blender until fine.


Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 175 °C / 350 °F. Grease and line a 23 cm (9-inch) springform pan.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
  3. Cream butter & sugars: In another bowl, beat butter, caster sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs & vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
  5. Incorporate wet ingredients: Mix in sour cream and milk until smooth.
  6. Combine: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
  7. Assemble cake: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Arrange apple slices over the top. Sprinkle with extra spices and 2 Tbsp brown sugar.
  8. Bake: Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Make glaze: In a small saucepan, melt 50 g brown sugar, 2 Tbsp butter, and 1 Tbsp milk. Simmer 2 minutes until glossy.
  10. Finish: Drizzle warm glaze over cooled cake before serving.

Nutrition Breakdown (per slice, based on 12 slices)

CaloriesCarbsFatProtein
~26533 g12 g4 g


FAQ

Can I use almond flour in apple cake?

Yes! Almond flour adds flavor and moisture, keeping the cake tender without making it heavy.

What kind of apples are best for baking?

Granny Smith apples give a tart contrast, while Honeycrisp or Fuji add sweetness. Any firm apple works well.

How do I make apple cake moist?

The sour cream and almond flour help lock in moisture. Don’t overbake—take it out as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Definitely. The flavors deepen overnight, and the glaze soaks in beautifully.


How to Store Apple Almond Cake

  • Room temperature: Cover and store for 2 days.
  • Fridge: Up to 5 days in an airtight container.
  • Freezer: Freeze ungarnished slices for 2 months. Reheat and glaze before serving.

The Final Forkful 🍴

This spiced apple almond cake is fall comfort in every bite. The almond flour gives it a soft, rich crumb, while apples, spices, and glaze make it irresistible. We loved it with a spoonful of Greek yogurt mixed with honey—sweet, tangy, and the perfect balance. 🍎

What about you? Will you go tart Granny Smith, or sweet Honeycrisp? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to tag us @tastycue on everything with what you made!

Much love,

Sidney & Thomas

Sidney & Thomas Johnson-Quesnelle

How To Make Spiced Apple Almond Cake

5 from 2 votes
Easy to make and full of flavor, this apple almond cake will be your new go-to for autumn baking.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, German
Calories: 344

Ingredients
 
 

Dry Ingredients:
  • cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
Wet Ingredients:
  • ½ cup or 1 stick unsalted butter (softened)
  • 6 Tbsp caster sugar (see notes)
  • 6 Tbsp light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup full-fat sour cream (room temperature)
  • 2 Tbsp milk
Topping and Glaze:
  • 1-2 apples (thinly sliced)
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar (for topping)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 Tbsp milk
  • Extra ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves (for sprinkling)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 175 °C / 350 °F. Grease and line a 23 cm (9-inch) springform pan.
  2. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.
    1½ cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, ½ cup almond flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp salt, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, ½ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground cloves
  3. Cream butter and sugars in another bowl until light and fluffy.
    ½ cup or 1 stick unsalted butter, 6 Tbsp caster sugar, 6 Tbsp light brown sugar
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
    2 large eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract
  5. Mix in remaining wet ingredients until smooth.
    ½ cup full-fat sour cream, 2 Tbsp milk
  6. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
  7. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Arrange apple slices over the top. Sprinkle with extra spices and 2 Tbsp brown sugar.
    1-2 apples, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, Extra ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves
  8. Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Melt remaining ingredients together in a small saucepan. Simmer 2 minutes until glossy.
    ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp milk
  10. Drizzle warm glaze over cooled cake before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 142mgPotassium: 102mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 419IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 2mg

Notes

  • Caster Sugar: Also known as “icing sugar”. If you don’t have any, you can blitz regular white sugar in the blender until fine.
  • Nutrition: The information provided here is meant to be used as a rough guide, and nothing more. We are not licensed nutritionists.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

21 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh I HAVE to try this! I’m already shifting into fall mode and looking for cozy fall recipes lol. Thank you for sharing, this looks delicious! 🩷

  2. This sounds so good. I am definitely adding it to my arsenal of go-to fall recipes. Thank you for sharing!

  3. This recipe looks amazing! I love the mix of apples and warm spices — it feels like the perfect treat for a chilly afternoon. Can’t wait to give it a try!

  4. This sounds absolutely delicious! The combo of warm spices, apples, and almonds feels so cozy and perfect for fall (or honestly, any time I need a little comfort bake). I can already imagine how amazing this must make the kitchen smell!

Leave a Reply