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Spiced Apple and Bourbon Cake with Chai Frosting

Two kinds of apples, chopped and applesauce make this cake a celebration of apples. Add some chai spices, a splash of bourbon and cream cheese frosting, and you'll love the autumn vibes from this easy two bowl recipe.
Course Dessert
Cuisine North American
Keyword apples, bourbon, chai, cider, cream cheese icing
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
chilling time 1 hour
Servings 10

Ingredients

Cake

  • 3 1/2 cups cake flour or gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour, sifted (do NOT skip- add in 1 tsp arrowroot powder if using gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour, see Note)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp chai spice blend, see Note for Blend
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp finely ground sea salt
  • 2 cups buttermilk or soured milk, see Note for alternative replacement
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 tsp bourbon, or apple cider
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups chopped apples skin peeled

Chai Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 4 oz butter, softened to room temperature (1 stick)
  • 3-4 cups icing sugar, sifted
  • 2 tsp chai spice blend
  • 2 tsp apple cider
  • 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

Cake

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease three 8″ cake pans with olive or coconut oil. Line with parchment paper on the bottom for easy removal.
  2. If making soured milk add the vinegar to the milk, stir and let it settle.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt.

  4. Add in the dairy free milk and buttermilk or apple cider vinegar mixture, coconut oil, applesauce, bourbon and vanilla together. Mix until thoroughly combined.

  5. Fold in the chopped apples.
  6. Divid the batter evenly into the cake pans.
  7. Place cake pans into the oven and bake for 27-30 minutes, or until the toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a drying rack to cool completely before frosting. The rounds can be chilled before frosting.

Chai Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Add the cream cheese and butter to a stand mixer or a bowl with a hand held mixer and blend till completely smooth.
  2. Add the icing sugar, 1/2 cup at a time till incorporated and the texture and sweetness you desire. Also add in the chai spice blend. Just remember that icing sugar not only sweetens but also thickens the icing, so if you want it stiffer, you will need to use more. If too thick, thin with some apple cider.

Assemble

  1. Place the first cake layer onto a cake board or plate and add about 3/4 cup of frosting to the cake. Spread until the frosting reaches the edges.
  2. Place the second layer on top and repeat.
  3. Place the third layer on top and continue to frost the cake entirely. Place the cake into the fridge to chill for 20 minutes so that the frosting can set. When ready to serve, top with chopped pecans, some apples and cinnamon sticks etc and even Caramel Sauce if so desired!

  4. see blog post for more details

Recipe Notes

To sour milk combine 2 cups milk, less 2 tbsp, room temperature with 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for 7 minutes to set and curdle.
Chai Spice Blend: combine 2 tbsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp ginger, 1 tbsp cardamom, 2 tsp cloves, 2 tsp coriander, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp allspice and 1 tsp white pepper. Store in a sealed jar.

Salted Bourbon Caramel Sauce link
This recipe was inspired by Britt's Vegan Apple Spice Cake