Name: Apple Chai Spiced Sponge Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1-2 Apples; 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice; 2 tsp. Cinnamon (divided); 1 cup Flour; 1 tsp. Baking Powder; 1/4 tsp. Salt; 4 large Eggs; 1 cup Sugar; 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract; 1/4 cup Butter (melted); 1 tsp. All Spice; 1 tsp. Ground Ginger; 1 tsp. Coriander; 1/2 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

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Warm, comforting, and bursting with flavor, this Apple Chai Spiced Sponge Cake is the perfect treat for cozy afternoons or special gatherings. Infused with the sweet, spiced notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander, paired with the natural tartness of fresh apples, this cake is a delightful blend of autumnal flavors. Its light, airy texture, thanks to the fluffy sponge, makes it a wonderful dessert that feels both indulgent and comforting at the same time. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or shared with loved ones, this apple chai spiced sponge cake is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

Reasons Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Cozy Flavors: The combination of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander creates a comforting, cozy-inspired treat.
Light & Fluffy Texture: The airy sponge cake provides a delicate bite that melts in your mouth, making it a refreshing alternative to heavier desserts.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and an uncomplicated method, this cake is approachable even for beginner bakers.
Healthier Option: While indulgent, it uses fresh fruit and spices, making it a lighter dessert choice compared to more decadent cakes or pastries.
Fragrance-Filled Kitchen: The aroma of baking apples and warming spices fills your home, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

One to Two Apples: Fresh apples add moisture and a burst of natural sweetness, balancing the warm spices in the cake.
Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice brightens the flavor, enhancing the apples’ natural tartness, keeps them from browning, and keeps the cake light.
Cinnamon: This classic spice brings a comforting, warm flavor that pairs beautifully with both the apples and other spices.
Flour: The base of the cake, providing structure and helping to create the light, airy sponge texture.
Baking Powder: Essential for giving the cake its rise and fluffy texture, ensuring it’s light and not dense.
Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness, bringing out the flavors of the apples and spices.
Eggs: Eggs provide richness and stability to the batter, helping it rise while contributing to the cake’s soft, moist crumb.
Sugar: Sweetens the cake and allows the spices and apples to shine through with their natural flavors.
Vanilla: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and depth to the spiced cake.
Butter: Adds richness and moisture, helping to create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Allspice: A key spice in this recipe, allspice brings a deep, aromatic flavor that ties the other spices together perfectly.
Ground Ginger: Adds a bit of warmth and slight heat, complementing the sweetness of the apples and rounding out the chai spice blend.
Cardamom: A fragrant spice with a unique citrusy note, cardamom elevates the cake with a touch of exotic warmth.
Pepper: A small hint of pepper adds an unexpected kick that enhances the complexity of the spice blend without overpowering the Apple Chai Spiced Sponge Cake’s sweetness.

How to Make This Apple Chai Spiced Sponge Cake

Start by peeling and thinly slicing your apples. Place the slices in a bowl, then toss them with a little lemon juice and cinnamon to prevent browning and enhance their flavor. Set them aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, cardamom, and a pinch of pepper. This blend of spices will infuse the cake with the perfect warmth and depth and gives it that chai spiced vibe.

Next, in another bowl, beat your eggs and sugar on medium-high speed with a hand mixer or countertop mixer for about 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. The air you whip into this mixture will give the cake its soft, sponge-like texture.

Once it’s ready, add the vanilla extract and mix it in thoroughly. Then, add in your cooled melted butter, ensuring it’s not too hot, as you don’t want to cook the eggs. Beat the mixture for an additional 1 to 2 minutes on medium-high speed until everything is well incorporated.

Now, carefully fold in your dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the flour mixture is well incorporated. Be gentle as you combine them to maintain the airiness of the batter.

Grease a round cake pan and pour half of the batter into the pan, spreading it evenly. Next, layer in your thinly sliced apples on top of the first half of the batter for the first layer.

Pour the remaining batter over the apples, spreading it gently. Finally, top the cake with the remaining apple slices, arranging them in any pattern you like—this will add a beautiful, aromatic topping as it bakes.

Bake the cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should have a golden-brown top and a slight spring when touched. Allow it to cool slightly before serving, and enjoy the delightful combination of spices and apples in this cozy, flavorful dessert. Don’t forget the ice cream!

Storage Tips For This Recipe

Room Temperature: If you plan to eat the cake within 2-3 days, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain its moisture and softness.
Refrigeration: If you want to extend its shelf life, you can store the cake in the fridge. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. It should stay fresh for up to 5-6 days when refrigerated.
Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cake. The Apple Chai Spiced Sponge Cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply leave the slices at room temperature for a few hours or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Reheating: If you prefer the cake warm, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place them in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. You can also enjoy it cold, as the flavors tend to develop even more after a day or two!

Common FAQ’s Related to This Recipe

Can I use any type of apple for this Apple Chai Spiced Sponge Cake?
While you can use any apple variety, it’s best to use apples that are firm and slightly tart, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples hold their shape well when baked and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tang.
Can I substitute the butter with something else?
You can substitute the butter with vegetable oil or a non-dairy butter alternative if you need a dairy-free option. Just keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the cake.
Can I make this cake in a different pan shape or size?
Yes, you can use a different pan shape or size. If you use a smaller pan, the cake may rise higher and need slightly less baking time. A larger pan will result in a thinner cake and may require a longer baking time. Just keep an eye on it as it bakes.

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Print Recipe

Apple Chai Spiced Sponge Cake

Prep Time15

Cook Time40

Total Time55

Course: Dessert

Keyword: cake

Servings: 12

Equipment

8in Round Cake Pan
Electric Hand Mixer or Countertop

Ingredients

1-2 Apples
1 tbsp. Lemon Juice
2 tsp. Cinnamon divided
1 cup Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
4 large Eggs
1 cup Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Butter melted
1 tsp. All Spice
1 tsp. Ground Ginger
1 tsp. Coriander
1/2 tsp. Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 350F
Then peel and thinly slicing your apples. Place the slices in a bowl, then toss them with a little lemon juice and 1tsp. of cinnamon
1-2 Apples, 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice, 2 tsp. Cinnamon
In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, ground ginger, cardamom, and a pinch of pepper.
1 cup Flour, 1 tsp. Baking Powder, 1/4 tsp. Salt, 1 tsp. All Spice, 1 tsp. Ground Ginger, 1 tsp. Coriander, 1/2 tsp. Ground Black Pepper, 2 tsp. Cinnamon
Next, in another bowl, beat your eggs and sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4 large Eggs, 1 cup Sugar
Once it's ready, add the vanilla extract and cooled melted butter (ensuring it’s not too hot, as you don’t want to cook the eggs). Beat the mixture for an additional 1 to 2 minutes on medium-high speed until everything is well incorporated.
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract, 1/4 cup Butter
Now, carefully fold in your dry ingredients into the wet mixture, until no flour mixture remain. Be gentle as you combine them to maintain the airiness of the batter.
Grease a round cake pan and pour half of the batter into the pan, spreading it evenly.
Next, layer in your thinly sliced apples on top of the batter for the first layer. Pour the remaining batter over the apples, spreading it gently. Finally, top the cake with the remaining apple slices. (see above photos in blog post for reference)
Bake the cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow it to cool slightly before serving, and enjoy!

Notes

Storage Tips For This Recipe

Room Temperature: If you plan to eat the cake within 2-3 days, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain its moisture and softness. Just make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

Refrigeration: If you want to extend its shelf life, you can store the cake in the fridge. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. It should stay fresh for up to 5-6 days when refrigerated.

Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cake. To do so, slice it into individual pieces and wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place them in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. The cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply leave the slices at room temperature for a few hours or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.

Reheating: If you prefer the cake warm, reheat individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or place them in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes. You can also enjoy it cold, as the flavors tend to develop even more after a day or two!

Common FAQ’s Related to This Recipe

Can I use any type of apple for this cake?
While you can use any apple variety, it’s best to use apples that are firm and slightly tart, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples hold their shape well when baked and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tang.

Can I substitute the butter with something else?
You can substitute the butter with vegetable oil or a non-dairy butter alternative if you need a dairy-free option. Just keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the cake.

Can I make this cake in a different pan shape or size?
Yes, you can use a different pan shape or size. If you use a smaller pan, the cake may rise higher and need slightly less baking time. A larger pan will result in a thinner cake and may require a longer baking time. Just keep an eye on it as it bakes.