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Easy Cream Cheese Apple Cake

Easy Cream Cheese Apple Cake

Easy Cream Cheese Apple Cake packed with tender apples and topped with cinnamon brown sugar pecans. Soft, moist, and perfect for fall.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 12 generous cake squares
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Apple Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2½ cups peeled and diced apples
  • For the Cinnamon Pecan Topping
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
  4. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating for about 2 minutes, until light and well combined.
  5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix just until no dry flour remains.
  7. Gently fold the diced apples into the batter, making sure they are evenly distributed.
  8. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  9. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped pecans, and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the cake batter.
  10. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  11. Allow the cake to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use apples that hold their shape well during baking, such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Braeburn. Cut them into small pieces so you get apple throughout every slice.
Make sure both the butter and cream cheese are softened before mixing. This helps create a smooth batter and prevents small lumps of cream cheese.