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Easy Whole-Grain Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Frosting Recipe

Name: Easy Whole-Grain Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt for vegan option); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free cream cheese); 1/4 cup powdered erythritol or confectioners' sugar substitute; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)

By Beginnerbakes Editorial TeamPublished May 2, 2026 | Updated Jul 11, 2026

American 60 mins beginner-friendlyeasystep-by-stepwhole-grainspicedcinnamon cream frostingpartyminimal-ingredientscomfort-food

Easy Whole-Grain Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Frosting Recipe with measured ingredients, 60-minute total timing, 10-serving yield, oven settings, and step-by-step instructions.

Prep 20 min

Cook 40 min

Total 60 min

Servings 10

Difficulty easy

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Servings 10

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
2 large eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt for vegan option)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup low-fat cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free cream cheese)
1/4 cup powdered erythritol or confectioners' sugar substitute
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy release.
In a medium bowl, whisk the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
Add the finely chopped apples to the dry ingredients and toss gently to coat them so they stay evenly distributed in the cake.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar until smooth and slightly lightened.
Stir the applesauce, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract into the egg mixture until combined.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until no dry flour pockets remain. Avoid overmixing so the cake stays tender.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 38 to 42 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting, beat the softened low-fat cream cheese, powdered erythritol or sugar substitute, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
Spread the cinnamon cream frosting over the cooled cake with a small spatula or butter knife.
Slice and serve, or refrigerate the frosted cake and bring slices to room temperature before serving.