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There is nothing like the flavors of fall. It can truly be hard to pick a favorite one. That is one of the reasons I love this fall harvest cake recipe so much. When it comes to some of my favorite fall cake recipes, this is one of the best!

Harvest Cake Recipe

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I don’t know about your family, but ours loves going to apple orchards in the fall. Many years, we’ve been known to visit multiple different ones during the season. This isn’t hard to do when there are so many different ones in our area.

It’s fairly common that at some point, after our many visits, we’ll end up with more apples than we need. That’s when I’ll break out all of my different apple recipes.

One of my favorites is for a spice cake that I doctored up to become a harvest cake recipe. It’s pretty easy to make, and it tastes amazing. With its mix of apples and spices, you get a mouthful of yummy fall flavor with every bite.

What is a Harvest Cake?

Many people ask me, “What, even, is a harvest cake?” Harvest cake is a broad term for a dense, moist cake that features ingredients that have an autumn harvest season. Most also feature warm spices and nuts.

Ingredients Needed for Fall Harvest Cake Recipe

• Box of spice cake mix – This is a spice cake recipe. I prefer to use a cake box mix to make things easier.
• Eggs – The purpose of eggs is to provide binding and structure to the cake. They also provide moisture and richness.
• Water – You want to add water to baking recipes to hydrate dry ingredients while also helping other ingredients dissolve. It also creates steam during baking, which contributes to a higher texture level.
• Cinnamon applesauce – Applesauce can be used in baking in place of cooking oil. It adds moisture while acting as a binder. Using cinnamon applesauce adds just that more to the spice cake.
• Apple – Apples are a great fruit to bake with because they hold their shape during baking, giving you a sweet or tart apple bite.
• Raisins – Raisins are also a good item to bake with because they hold their shape. They also add sweetness, chewiness, and moisture to the cake.
• Pecan chips – This cake has a lot of textures and flavors, so it’s nice to add some crunch to the mix. The pecan chips add a crunchy texture along with a rich, buttery, and nutty flavor to the cake.
• Nutmeg – While the spice cake is good on its own, adding some nutmeg makes it even better. Nutmeg adds a warm and spicy flavor that really makes the cake taste like fall.
• Cream cheese frosting – There are so many frostings that you could use for this cake, but I think a cream cheese one works best because it isn’t overly sweet. I buy a container of it at the store to make things easier.

Baking Accessories

Baking is always easier when you have the right tools on hand. Here are some accessories from Amazon to help you make this harvest cake recipe.

OXO Good Grips 5-Quart Mixing BowlHANSGO 2PCS Large Wooden Cooking Spoons, 12 Inches Wooden Kitchen Utensil for Cooking, Serving, MixingLilybeam 600ºF Heat Resistant Spatulas, High Heat Food Safe Semless Kitchen Silicone Spoon Spoonula Scraper Set for Cooking Baking Mixing Scraping Stirring Nonstick Cookware Pan (3Pcs,Midniaht Blue)KitchenAid KE305OHERA Classic Fruit Slicer, One Size, Red

How to Make Bountiful Harvest Cake

This bountiful harvest cake is pretty easy to make. The most time-consuming part is preparing the apple bites.

That leads us to our first step, which is to cut up the apple, or apples, depending on the size you have. You can remove the skin and slice up the apple in whatever way is easiest for you. I have arthritis in my hand, so my preferred method is to slice the apple with an apple slicer and then cut off the skin of each slice and cut them up. Once the apples are all sliced up, set them to the side.

Next, it’s time to prepare the cake batter. Empty the entire box of cake mix into a mixing bowl. Add in the water, eggs, applesauce, and nutmeg, then mix everything together.

Now, add in the apple pieces, raisins, and pecans, and fold them into the cake batter.

Spray a 13×9 cake pan and pour the cake batter into it. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Once removed, use a toothpick to ensure the cake is done. Then give the cake time to cool.

Once the cake has fully cooled, it’s time to frost it. Stir the tub of frosting 20 times, then apply it to the cake. You’re going to use the entire tub of frosting

After the cake is frosted, cover it and store it in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve it.

Do I Need to Add the Frosting?

If you would prefer to leave the frosting off, go for it! This cake tastes good with and without frosting. This harvest cake would also make a great coffee cake if you don’t add the frosting.

Fall Table Decor

Savor your harvest cake with the feeling of fall with these beautiful fall decor pieces from Etsy.

Yield: 16 Slices

Harvest Cake

Print

This harvest cake gives a taste of fall in every bite! This easy fall cake gets it's amazing flavor from apples, spices, and cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• Box of spice cake mix
• 3 Eggs
• 1 Cup of water
• 1 Cup of sliced apple pieces
• 1/2 Cup of cinnamon applesauce
• 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
• 1/2 Cup of raisins
• 1/2 Cup of pecan chips
• 16 oz Tub of cream cheese frosting

Instructions

1. Chop apples into small pieces.
2. Empty the spice cake mix into a mixing bowl. Add the water, eggs, cinnamon applesauce, and nutmeg. Then mix well.
3. Add apple pieces, raisins, and pecans into the bowl and stir in.
4. Pour the cake batter into a sprayed 13x9 cake pan and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
5. When it's done, give the cake time to cool and then frost it.

Notes

You do not need to add the frosting if you prefer. Without the frosting, this does make a great coffee cake!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Eisinly Cake Cutting Set for Wedding, Elegant Cake Knife and Server Set with Thickened Stainless Steel Rounded Edges, Cake Cutter and Pie Spatula for Birthday Anniversary, 2 Pcs, Silver
• 
  Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Baking Pan With Lid / Nonstick Cake Pan With Lid, Rectangle - 9 Inch x 13 Inch, Gray
• 
  TILUCK Measuring Cups & Spoons Set, Stackable Cups and Spoons, Nesting Measure Cups with Stainless Steel Handle, Kitchen Gadgets for Cooking & Baking (Blue)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

16 Slices
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 442Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 238mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 1gSugar: 31gProtein: 3g

More Fall Dessert Recipes

Looking for some more dessert recipes to serve this fall? Check out some of these yummy recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving or any time during the autumn season.

• Pecan Pie Cake – (from Liv For Cake)
• Pumpkin Bundt Cake without Eggs
• Pumpkin Pie Recipe without Eggs
• S’mores Candy Corn Bars