This Apple Rum Spice cake is loaded with an abundance of apples nestled in a soft, buttery cake. It is a cake that is as simple in its look as it is in the process to create it - but there is nothing simple about the flavor! Finish the apple rum cake off with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar and you have a dessert that will please any apple lover.
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Ingredients
- Unsalted butter and eggs: Bring the butter and eggs to room temperature prior to starting this cake.
- Apples: Most types of apples will work well in this cake. I prefer a combination of Granny Smith and Honey Crisp.
- Baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon
- All-Purpose Flour
- Granulated Sugar
- Rum: use a dark rum as it has a richer and sweeter flavor
Prepare apples
- Peel, core and chop the apples into ½ inch cubes.
- Toss with one tablespoon of lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning.
Bake cake
- Prepare a 9" round cake pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper or greasing the pan
- This recipe produces a thick batter and it will be necessary to smooth the batter in the pan using an offset spatula.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the top of the apple rum cake prior to baking. This sugar will caramelize while baking and add an extra crunch to the top of the cake.
- Bake for 40 - 50 minutes at 350°. The cake top will be a golden color and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake will come out clean when the cake is done.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan.
Variations
This apple cake is delicious on its own - but if you want to spice it up a little, consider:
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top of the cake.
- Drizzle the cake with caramel and toasted walnuts (walnuts and apples were made for each other). Or add a cup of walnuts to the cake batter before baking.
- Core and slice an unpeeled red apple and add it to the top of the cake in a spiral pattern (prior to baking).
FAQs
What type of rum is best for the apple cake recipe?
A dark rum is necessary for the rum flavor to shine through in this recipe. Dark rum has depth, is rich and imparts a sweet flavor.
How to store the apple spice cake?
This cake is best left at room temperature and served within a few days of baking. Place the cake in a airtight container or cover with aluminum foil. The cake may also be frozen for up to three months.
More boozy cakes
📋 Recipe
Apple Rum Cake Recipe
This cake is loaded with an abundance of apples nestled in a soft, buttery cake. It is a cake that is as simple in its look as it is in the process to create it – but there is nothing simple about the flavor!
Equipment
- 1 Hand Mixer or
- 1 Cake Pan 9"
Ingredients
- 180 Grams All Purpose Flour (1 ½ Cups)
- 1.5 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon Dark Rum (add an extra tablespoon if you want a strong rum flavor)
- 114 Grams Butter (room temperature) (6 ounces or 1 ½ sticks)
- 132 Grams Granulated Sugar (⅔ Cup)
- 3 Large Eggs Room temperature
- 2 Apples, chopped in ½" cubes
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoon Granluated Sugar (for sprinkling top of cake prior to baking)
- 1 Red Apple, sliced thinly - do not peel optional for layering on top of cake
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Prepare apples by coring, peeling and chopping into ½" cubes. Toss in a tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Prepare a 9" round cake pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper or greasing the pan.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Place butter and granulated sugar in stand mixer bowl. Begin creaming the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2 - 4 minutes), scraping bowl occasionally.
- Add room temperature eggs, one at a time, scraping bowl between each addition. Mix on medium-low speed until eggs are well incorporated.
- Add the rum and mix for approximately 30 seconds,
- Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined.
- Stir the chopped apples into the batter.
- Pour the batter into prepared pan and smooth the top lightly with spatula.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over top of cake.
- Optional: Place apple slices in a spiral pattern on top of cake batter.
- Bake for 40 - 50 minutes at 350°. The cake top will be a golden color and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake will come out clean when the cake is done.
- Place cake on a rack and allow to cool completely before unmolding.
- If desired, sprinkle confectioners' sugar over top of cake after unmolding.
Video
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Ntensibe Edgar says
Aaahhh...this would have been a lovely cake for me, to try out, if it didn't have the rum in it! Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for the rum?
dessertswithstephanie says
Certainly, just leave the rum out and add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Ebony says
I made this recipe today for a dinner party and it was a hit! This recipe is perfect for fall and all of my friends loved the flavors! Moist and great rich flavor. Cant wait to make this recipe again!
Les Sugar says
Made this almost sugar free and blended 5 medjool dates softened in a bit of warm water. Did however add a bit of sugar on top which srsly gives the illusion of a sugar filled pastry! Also, used King Arthur gluten free flour. Tripled the rum and wow! DH LOVED it so it’s a winner. Thanks for the recipe.
dessertswithstephanie says
Les, thank you for the feedback. Your variation on the recipe is clever and happy it worked nicely for you!
nancy says
really tasty and easy to make. It rum wasn't too overpowering either
dessertswithstephanie says
Thank you for letting me know!
Stacy says
This recipe was so easy to make. And it was perfect for a coffee date with my friends. (Wish I had made two cakes because there were no leftovers.)
dessertswithstephanie says
Stacy, thank you for the review on the apple cake. Yes - this one disappears quickly in my home also!
Monidipa says
Your Apple Rum Cake recipe is fantastic! The video instructions were really helpful and easy to follow. I appreciate how you explained each step in detail, making it a breeze to recreate.
dessertswithstephanie says
Thank you for your review. So happy the instructions were helpful.
Beth says
This is the best spice cake I've ever made. I absolutely love the way the rum works in this recipe.
dessertswithstephanie says
Beth, thank you for your feedback. So happy you enjoy the recipe!
Mary Ann says
This is my go-to recipe when I don't want to do a lot of shopping or dishes! Really good cake, but I do use an extra apple ?
Andy T says
Love the rum taste in this apple cake. Just the right amount.
Roland says
Seriously the easiest cake I think I ever made, and quite tasty!
Vincent Grillo says
This is an easy recipe and makes a great dessert. Thank you
Joe says
Yummy recipe
Marsha A. says
This was quite simple to make. We had a hard time waiting to unmold the cake it smelled and looked so good. Our guests and we loved the taste.
LisaLisa says
This is a perfect cake for a fall party. This and some warm spiced cider.