This easy homemade apple spice cake with mascarpone frosting is incredibly moist from applesauce, fresh apples and oil. Frost with a simple, not-too-sweet mascarpone frosting and you have the perfect apple spice cake for any gathering!

This cake is coming in and ready to steal the show! You are going to love this apple spice cake because it is made from scratch, super easy to prepare and perfectly spiced and moist. And I bet you have all the ingredients in your house {except maybe the mascarpone cheese}.

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what does homemade apple spice cake taste like?
This spice cake recipe has a mild, cinnamon and nutmeg flavor profile. Think a toned down, less dense version of carrot cake, minus the carrots of course.😉 It's warm and cozy, but not overly sweet.
Homemade apple spice cake is so moist and flavorful that it doesn't even need frosting. That's not going to stop you and I from frosting it though, right?? Especially when it's topped with a barely sweet mascarpone whipped cream frosting! Perfect for those who "don't like frosting", but if you fall in that camp, can I sit next to you at parties so I can eat all yours?? #teamfrostingforlife
this homemade apple spice cake recipe is ~
- Easy to make {two bowls and a whisk for the cake}
- Moist and soft
- Perfectly spiced
- Elegant and simple to decorate
- Frosted with an easy, not-too-sweet mascarpone whipped cream
let's make cake!
Really, this moist cake couldn't be easier to make! Prepare a 9-inch round baking pan by greasing it and lining the bottom with a parchment round. I use butter to coat the pan, place the parchment paper in, and butter the pan again.
In a large bowl {these glass nesting bowls are my favorite for baking and cooking projects}, whisk together the dry ingredients.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, applesauce, oil, vanilla and eggs.

Then peel and shred one medium sized apple. I don't like to prepare the apple earlier as it will brown up quickly once it is shredded. The size or variety of the apple isn't going to make or break this recipe. I use a small to medium size Granny Smith apple, about 5.5 ounces before it's peeled or shredded.
Once the apple is shredded, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until mostly combined. Then fold in the shredded apple with a spatula until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake.

The cake bakes in about 25 minutes. Remember your oven is different from mine and this time may vary a little. I would initially check it at 20 minutes and check every 2-3 minutes after that. If you don't already have one, I highly recommend having an oven thermometer so you know your oven is baking at the temperature you think it is!

The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. It will also slightly pull away from the edges of the pan. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. The cake can be made the day before; I would wait to frost it until a few hours before serving though.

what is mascarpone cheese?
Mascarpone is an Italian soft cheese. It has a higher fat content than cream cheese, which makes it richer and creamier. It also has less "tang" than cream cheese. If you have ever eaten tiramisu, you've had mascarpone cheese. Most grocery stores carry mascarpone cheese, it is typically in the deli section or with the specialty cheeses. If you shop at Trader Joe's, they often have the best price for it.

how do you make mascarpone frosting?
This frosting is super simple to make and might become your new favorite! It starts with cold mascarpone cheese and cold whipping cream. Big E describes it as, "whipped ice cream".
You will need two bowls and a hand-held mixer or a stand mixer with both the paddle and the whisk attachment to make this mascarpone frosting.
Start by beating the mascarpone until it's smooth and creamy, this takes about 30 seconds. {If using a stand mixer, use the paddle here}

Set this bowl aside while you whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste to soft peaks. {If using a stand mixer, use the whisk for this step}. I love the little specks of vanilla that the vanilla bean paste adds to this frosting! You can substitute vanilla extract if you prefer.
Add the softened mascarpone cheese to the whipped cream mixture and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Then spread the frosting on the cooled cake. I just use a small spatula or spoon to spread it on. Chill the cake for 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set a bit, which makes slicing the cake easier.

how should I store this spiced apple cake?
Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator. Cover the cake and store for up to five days.

Remember to snap a picture and tag me @twosugarbugs on Instagram if you make this Homemade Apple Spice Cake with Mascarpone Frosting. It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!
More cake recipes to enjoy ~
- Cookie Butter Cake
- Chocolate Malt Cake
- Homemade Raspberry Cake
- Homemade Vanilla Snack Cake
- Perfect Coconut Cake
- Pink Velvet Cake
If you make this recipe {or any recipe!} from two sugar bugs please come back and leave a review and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating. I read every comment, and I LOVE hearing from you!
Homemade Apple Spice Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

Homemade apple spice cake is incredibly moist from applesauce, fresh apples and oil. Top with a not-too-sweet mascarpone frosting and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (208g)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup canola oil (120mL)
- ½ cup apple sauce (128g)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup brown sugar (133g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup peeled and shredded apple, one small-medium (I use Granny Smith ~ 90-100g)
Mascarpone Frosting
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese (113g), cold
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream (118mL), cold
- ½ cup powdered sugar (50g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste*
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch cake round by buttering it, lining with a parchment round and buttering again.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Whisk the oil, applesauce, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Fold in the shredded apple until combined.
- Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.
- Make the mascarpone frosting: With a hand-held mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the mascarpone cheese until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. In a separate bowl, add the cold whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste. (switch to the whisk attachment if using a stand mixer, no need to clean the beaters if using a hand-held mixer) and beat on medium hight until soft peaks, about 2-3 minutes. Then beat in the softened mascarpone cheese until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute more. Spread the frosting over the top of the cake and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set and make slicing the cake easier.
Notes
*you can substitute pure vanilla extract for the vanilla bean paste
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 3g
The nutrition information is an estimate and may not be entirely accurate.
Josiah - DIY Thrill
This homemade spice cake looks so yummy!
Tasia
Thank you Josiah! It's so yummy and perfect for this time of year! I hope you get to try it!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
I love your homemade mascarpone frosting recipe... it's so rich and decadent!
Tasia
Thank you Heidi! That frosting deserves it's own post! So, so good!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
That frosting though....this cake looks amazing Tasia!!! A perfect fall cake!!
Tasia
Thank you Katherine! I can see this one on all the fall/winter holiday menus!
Leanne
This is the perfect fall cake Tasia! I have so many desserts I want to make for our thanksgiving this weekend. This is definitely one the family would enjoy! And the mascarpone frosting looks deliciously creamy!
Tasia
Thank you Leanne! The mascarpone frosting really is dreamy!! I can hardly believe it's Canadian Thanksgiving already!
Christie
I love cake but I love it more when its got some apple in it with a delicious thick mascarpone cream to it! Just divine Tasia!
Tasia
Thanks Christie! It's always nice when we can add some moisture to baked goods with a healthy fruit or vegetable!😉
Aarthi | Prepbowls
Such a perfect fall bake! it looks yum. It feels tempted to use the mascarpone frosting on everything, Not too sweet is even more tempting. Thank you for sharing, Tasia! Happy fall!!
Tasia
Thank you Aarthi! Yes, the mascarpone frosting has just a hint of sweetness and it probably deserves it's own time in the spotlight; it's so good!
Aarthi
Hi Tasia, I tried this cake, and frosting, it came out so good. My family loved it. I'm so happy to have tried it!!
Tasia
Thank you Aarthi for making this recipe and for sharing your thoughts! I'm so glad that you and your family loved it!!