Cozy Fall Dessert: Apple Pumpkin Cake
There’s nothing that says “fall” quite like a combination of pumpkin and apples—and this Apple Pumpkin Cake brings them together in the most delicious way. Moist pumpkin cake layers, a luscious apple pie filling, and a tangy cream cheese frosting make this the ultimate autumn dessert.
🍂 Why You’ll Love This Cake
This cake is a celebration of all things fall. Warm spices, rich pumpkin flavor, sweet-tart apples, and creamy frosting come together in perfect harmony. It’s easy to make, and even easier to love.
🍰 Making the Pumpkin Apple Cake
This recipe uses my go-to pumpkin cake, scaled down for a 6-inch layered beauty. The best part? You don’t need a mixer—just two bowls (or one if you’re keeping it simple).
Step-by-Step:
-
Mix your wet ingredients.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk the dry ingredients.
-
Combine both and stir until just blended.
-
Divide the batter between three 6" pans and bake.
Pro Tip: Use pure pumpkin purée—not pumpkin pie filling. The latter contains added ingredients that can mess with the texture and flavor.
🍏 Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling
I’ve used this apple filling before in other desserts like Apple Crisp Cake—it’s simple and so flavorful. Prefer store-bought? Go for it!
To make it:
-
Boil the sugars, cornstarch, spices, and water.
-
Add peeled, chopped apples and cook until soft.
Make-Ahead Tip: Store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Just stir before using.
🎂 Cream Cheese Frosting Woes & Wins
Ah, cream cheese frosting—tasty but tricky. It’s soft, which makes decorating a challenge. I aimed for a “naked” cake look but had to pivot to a rustic finish. In the end, dried apple slices helped hide the imperfections.
But guess what? It tastes incredible, and that’s what matters most.
✨ Flavor Profile
The cake isn’t overly sweet, which lets the tangy cream cheese and sweet apple filling shine. It’s a well-balanced, cozy cake that just screams “fall.”
❓FAQs
How do I scale this recipe?
-
For three 8" pans: 1.5x the recipe.
-
For cupcakes: Bake for 15–20 minutes. Makes about 18–24 cupcakes.
Can I make it ahead?
-
Cake layers: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before assembling.
-
Frosting: Refrigerate for 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
-
Apple filling: Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
-
Finished cake: Can be frozen, sliced or whole, airtight for 3 months.
Can I get the recipe in grams? Yes! Use the Metric toggle on the recipe card. It auto-converts, though double-checking is always a good idea.
📝 Ingredient Breakdown
Pumpkin Cake:
-
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
-
2 ½ tsp baking powder
-
½ tsp baking soda
-
2 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
-
¾ tsp salt
-
¾ cup vegetable oil
-
⅔ cup white sugar
-
1 cup packed light brown sugar
-
1 ½ cups pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
-
3 large eggs (room temp)
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Filling:
-
2–3 chopped Granny Smith apples (about 3 cups)
-
2 tsp lemon juice
-
¼ cup light brown sugar
-
¼ cup granulated sugar
-
2 Tbsp cornstarch
-
½ tsp cinnamon
-
Pinch of nutmeg & salt
-
1 cup water
-
1 tsp vanilla
Cream Cheese Frosting:
-
¾ cup unsalted butter (softened but cool)
-
6 oz cream cheese (block-style)
-
5 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
-
1 tsp vanilla
Optional Decoration: Dried apple rings
🔧 Assembly Instructions
-
Place the first cake layer on a serving plate. Spread ~½ cup frosting on top.
-
Pipe a ring of frosting to hold in the filling. Spoon ~½ cup of apple filling inside.
-
Repeat with second layer. Add the final layer and do a light crumb coat. Chill for 20 minutes.
-
Frost the entire cake with remaining frosting in a rustic style. Decorate as desired.
🍁 More Fall-Inspired Cakes
-
Apple Crisp Cake
-
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake
-
Pear & Walnut Cake with Honey Buttercream
-
Chai Layer Cake
-
Maple Streusel Pumpkin Cake
💡 Pro Tips
-
Store-bought apple filling works just fine if you’re in a pinch.
-
Prep your pans with homemade cake release for easy removal.
-
Use simple syrup to keep layers moist.
-
For even layers, check out “how to bake flat cake layers” tutorials.
Whether you’re celebrating fall, a special occasion, or just craving something cozy—this Apple Pumpkin Cake is sure to impress. Happy baking! 🍎🎃