If you’re longing for the feeling of a crisp autumn day wrapped into a single, comforting dessert, let me introduce you to the Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting. This marvelously moist cake combines grated carrots and apples with warm spices, resulting in a tender crumb that is nutty, sweet, and studded with little pockets of chewy raisin delight. All of that wholesome flavor gets crowned with a silky maple frosting that’s as luscious as a pile of fallen leaves is inviting. Whether you’re serving a crowd or simply want a treat to celebrate the flavors of fall, you’ll adore baking and sharing Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything in this recipe celebrates the magic of fall baking: humble staples unite to create layers of flavor, with each ingredient playing its role in delivering an irresistible cake. As you gather your supplies, savor how each piece—spices, apples, carrots, and real maple syrup—contribute to color, aroma, and taste.
- All-purpose flour: The structure-builder, creating a tender yet sturdy crumb that holds up under generous frosting.
- Baking soda and baking powder: The leaveners that ensure your cake rises beautifully and develops just the right texture.
- Salt: The flavor enhancer that brings all the sweet and spicy notes into balance.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves: The trio of spices that infuse your harvest cake with cozy, classic warmth.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth quality to both cake and frosting.
- Neutral oil (like avocado or sunflower): Keeps the cake extra moist without overpowering its delicate spice profile.
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar: Combine to give the cake deep, caramel notes and perfect sweetness.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the cake’s fluffy lift.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla ties together the earthy and sweet elements.
- Applesauce: Naturally sweetens and moistens the cake while intensifying the apple flavor.
- Grated carrots: For gentle sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color.
- Grated apple (peeled): Adds juicy, bright flavor to every bite.
- Chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For crunch and nutty richness—the perfect counterpoint to the soft crumb.
- Raisins (optional): Bring sweet-tart chewiness that pops pleasantly against the background of tender cake.
- Cream cheese (softened): Base of the maple frosting, adding tang and body.
- Butter (softened): Merges with the cream cheese for a dreamy, spreadable consistency.
- Pure maple syrup: Stars in the frosting with deep, earthy sweetness and unmistakable autumn flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth, thick, and fluffy frosting to generously cloak your cake.
- Extra vanilla extract: Softens the frosting with a final layer of fragrant warmth.
How to Make Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start things off by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it warms, grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans—whichever matches your mood or presentation plans. This simple setup ensures your Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting will release perfectly and hold its beautiful shape.
Step 2: Measure and Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This step disperses the leaveners and spices evenly, guaranteeing every slice is aromatic and perfectly risen.
Step 3: Cream the Butter, Oils, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is where magic happens: thorough creaming traps air, which helps the cake bake up tender and airy—so don’t shortchange this step!
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Flavors
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and applesauce, bringing extra moisture and a subtle tang that plays beautifully with the spices and sweetness.
Step 5: Fold in the Harvest Goodness
Gently fold in the grated carrots and apple, little by little. If you’re adding nuts or raisins, now’s the time! These ingredients bring bursts of flavor, chewy texture, and delightful surprises to every bite of Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Take care not to overmix; a gentle hand ensures the cake stays light and meltingly tender.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top evenly. Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with tiny moist crumbs—watch closely so you don’t overbake!
Step 8: Cool Completely Before Frosting
Patience is key here: let your cake cool completely in the pan before you think about frosting. If the cake is even a bit warm, the frosting can melt and lose its dreamy texture.
Step 9: Mix Up the Maple Frosting
While the cake cools, make the frosting. In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and airy. Pour in the maple syrup and vanilla, then slowly whip in the powdered sugar—start with 2 cups and add more as needed for a luscious, spreadable consistency. This maple frosting pairs so perfectly that you’ll want to sneak a spoonful!
Step 10: Frost and Enjoy!
Spread the maple frosting over the completely cooled cake, swirling it to your heart’s content. The result is a cake that looks—and tastes—like autumn’s grand finale.
How to Serve Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting
Garnishes
This cake is a showstopper all on its own, but a scatter of chopped toasted nuts or a dusting of cinnamon over the frosting take it from lovely to breathtaking. For a little flair, try a drizzle of extra maple syrup or artfully arranged apple slices right before serving.
Side Dishes
Balance out the spiced sweetness with softly whipped cream, fresh apple slices, or even a tangy scoop of Greek yogurt. When serving Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting at brunch, add a platter of roasted pears or a mug of hot apple cider to embrace the full harvest spirit.
Creative Ways to Present
Embrace your artistic side by baking the batter into cupcakes for easy individual treats. For a rustic touch, bake in a cast iron skillet and serve warm slices with a dollop of frosting. Or, make a classic layer cake with the two round pans, filling and covering every surface with maple frosting for an irresistible centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to five days. To maintain freshness and prevent the frosting from absorbing fridge odors, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container.
Freezing
Baked, unfrosted cake layers freeze admirably—just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting. You can also freeze the frosted cake in individual slices, separating each with parchment paper for easy grab-and-go treats.
Reheating
If you’d love your Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting slightly warm, let the cake come to room temperature after refrigeration, or pop individual unfrosted slices into the microwave for just a few seconds until soft (add frosting after warming, if possible, to keep it smooth).
FAQs
Can I substitute any of the fruits or veggies in the cake?
Absolutely! If you don’t have apples or carrots on hand, try using grated pear or sweet potato. The sweetness and moisture will remain, keeping your Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting wonderfully tender.
My cake turned out dense—what went wrong?
Overmixing the batter once you add the dry ingredients can result in a dense cake. Mix just until combined, and always use fresh leaveners to keep every slice light and fluffy.
Can I make the maple frosting less sweet?
Of course! Start with the lower amount of powdered sugar, then taste and adjust. You can also add a pinch of salt or a little extra cream cheese for more tang and balance without extra sweetness.
How far ahead can I make Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting?
This cake is even better after a night in the fridge, as the flavors intensify and meld together. You can bake and frost it the day before serving; just let it come to room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
Is this recipe suitable for cupcakes or a bundt cake?
Absolutely! Scoop the batter into lined muffin tins for cupcakes or pour into a well-greased and floured bundt pan. Adjust baking times accordingly—about 18–22 minutes for cupcakes, 45–55 minutes for a bundt. Just don’t forget the maple frosting on top!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about sharing a homemade Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting—the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug, no matter the season. I hope this cake finds its way onto your table, bringing smiles, full hearts, and maybe a few happy, sticky fingers. Give it a try and discover why it’s destined to become a cherished fall favorite in your home!
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Harvest Cake with Maple Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warmth of autumn flavors with this delightful Harvest Cake featuring a moist, spiced cake loaded with apples, carrots, and nuts. Topped with a luscious maple cream cheese frosting, this dessert is perfect for fall gatherings and cozy evenings.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup neutral oil (like avocado or sunflower)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup grated apple (peeled)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
For the maple frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–2½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla and applesauce. Stir in grated carrots and apples. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in nuts and raisins if using.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add maple syrup and vanilla, then gradually beat in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Spread evenly over cooled cake.
Notes
- This cake is even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
- Store in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.
- You can substitute pear for apple or use sweet potato instead of carrots for a variation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
