Fall is in every bite of this delicious harvest cake, packed with fresh apples, plump raisins, and crunchy walnuts. The cream cheese glaze adds an additional sweet touch that takes this scrumptious cake to the next level. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for breakfast or dessert, or even just a cozy afternoon.
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One of the things I love about this harvest cake is how it fills the house with the most amazing aroma. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and baked apples is just incredible. And when you take that first bite, the flavors all come together perfectly. It's truly a taste of fall.
I love making this cake for fall gatherings or just a cozy night in. It's one of those desserts that's easy to serve a crowd or wrap up for a quick snack. Plus, use whatever type of apples you like, and don't worry if your walnuts are chopped unevenly. It's all part of the charm. Plus, it's a great way to use up those extra apples from your fall apple-picking adventure.
Now that fall flavors are on your mind, why not try some of our other cozy fall recipes? Our bacon apple pecan stuffed french toast is a family favorite for breakfast, and then a warm serving of pork chops with apple is perfect for a chilly fall evening. And don't forget dessert...like some pumpkin whoopie pies that will put a smile on everyone's face. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy every bite!
π§Ύ Ingredients
Harvest cake
- Sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Dark or gold rum
- Eggs
- Light brown sugar
- All purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Allspice
- Salt
- Apples
- Raisins
- Nuts
- Shortening and flour for pan
Cream cheese glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese
See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and their measurements.
π₯£ How to make a harvest cake
First, grease and flour a tube pan, and preheat the oven to 325Β°F.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, rum, eggs, and brown sugar.
Using a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together just until all ingredients are combined.
Finally, fold in the chopped apples, raisins, and nuts.
As the cake batter is quite thick, I found that the best way to transfer the batter to the tube pan is with a large spoon. Slowly spoon the batter into the pan until you have a level amount all the way around.
Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
While the cake is cooling, we can make the glaze.
Using either a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cream cheese until it's smooth.
Once the cake has completely cooled, remove it from the tube pan and drizzle the glaze over the top.
Serve and enjoy!
π Variations and substitutions
- Rum - For this recipe, use either gold or dark rum, which adds more complex and deep flavor than regular white rum. If you'd prefer to not use alcohol in the recipe at all, a great substitution is imitation rum extract - just use 3 teaspoons of extract instead of 2 Tablespoons of rum.
- Brown sugar - I used light brown sugar in this cake recipe. You can substitute dark brown sugar instead; however, my personal feeling is that this cake is sweet enough with the light brown version.
- Apples - Use your favorite apples! I used honeycrisp in my cake because I just love their flavor, but use whichever variety makes you happy.
- Raisins - Don't have raisins or just not a fan of them? No problem! Use cranberries or cherries instead.
- Nuts - Also use your favorite chopped nuts. I decided to go with walnuts, but this cake would also be delicious with almonds, hazelnuts, or any other nut that you enjoy!
π§Ί Storage
When kept covered, this cake will stay fresh for several days on the countertop or in the refrigerator.
β FAQ
The best apples to use for this cake are whatever type are your favorite! I chose to use honeycrisp for their great texture and sweet flavor, but there are so many varieties, you do you! Just make sure to peel, core, and chop the apples before adding to the cake batter.
Absolutely! You may need to adjust the amount of powdered sugar and/or milk to get a smooth glaze.
You sure can! Just divide the batter among muffin cups or mini cake pans and bake for a shorter amount of time. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center - it should come out clean.
Love sweet treats? Check out a few more of our delicious recipes now!
- Mom's Jewish Apple Cake
- Apple Cider Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel
- World's Best Apple Pie
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
- Quick & Easy Nut Brittle
- Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Fudge
- Pumpkin Cheesecake
π Recipe
Harvest Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
Harvest Cake
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Β½ cups vegetable oil
- 1 Β½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons dark or gold rum
- 2 large eggs
- Β½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Β½ teaspoons cinnamon
- β teaspoon cloves
- Β½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ΒΌ teaspoon ginger
- ΒΌ teaspoon allspice
- Β½ teaspoon salt
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- Β½ cup raisins
- Β½ cup chopped nuts
- Shortening and flour for pan
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3 Tablespoons milk
- Β½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- First, grease and flour a tube pan.
- Preheat the oven to 325Β°F.
- In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, rum, eggs, and brown sugar.
- Using a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix together just until all ingredients are combined.
- Finally, fold in the chopped apples, raisins, and nuts.
- As the cake batter is quite thick, I found that the best way to transfer the batter to the tube pan is with a large spoon. Slowly spoon the batter into the pan until you have a level amount all the way around.
- Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- While the cake is cooling, we can make the glaze.
- Using either a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cream cheese until it's smooth.
- Once the cake has completely cooled, remove it from the tube pan and drizzle the glaze over the top.
- Serve and enjoy!
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