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

By Beginnerbakes Editorial TeamPublished May 2, 2026 | Updated Oct 20, 2026
American Under review Beginner-friendlyEasyStep By StepWhole Grain

Whole-wheat apple cake with cinnamon cream-cheese frosting.

Easy Whole-Grain Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Frosting Recipe
Prep Under review
Cook Under review
Total Under review
Servings 10
Difficulty easy
Cuisine American

Recipe Details

PrepUnder review
CookUnder review
TotalUnder review
Servings10
Difficultyeasy
CuisineAmerican
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Ingredients

Servings 10
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for the cake
  • 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, for the cake (or plain dairy-free yogurt)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for the cake
  • 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, for the frosting
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for the frosting
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, for the frosting (or dairy-free yogurt)

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Add the finely chopped apples to the dry ingredients and toss gently to coat them so they stay evenly distributed in the cake.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar until smooth and slightly lightened.
  5. Stir the applesauce, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract into the egg mixture until combined.
  6. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until no dry flour pockets remain. Avoid overmixing so the cake stays tender.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 38 to 42 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  10. 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.
  11. Spread the cinnamon cream frosting over the cooled cake with a small spatula or butter knife.
  12. Slice and serve, or refrigerate the frosted cake and bring slices to room temperature before serving.
Easy Whole-Grain Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Frosting Recipe
Easy Whole-Grain Spiced Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Frosting Recipe

Recipe Notes

The yogurt swap is an ingredient alternative, not a vegan version: the cake still contains eggs. To avoid dairy, both yogurt quantities and the frosting cream cheese need dairy-free alternatives.

Timing note

Allow for preparation and preheating, 38-42 minutes baking, 10 minutes in-pan cooling, complete rack cooling and frosting.

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