Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp (5g) baking powder
  • ½ tsp (3g) baking soda
  • 1 tbsp (8g) ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp (1g) ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp (3g) salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated white sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (450g) peeled and diced Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
  • 8 oz (225g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp (1g) salt

Instructions:

  1. Toss the diced apples with lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
  2. Cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar using a hand mixer on medium-high until pale and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.
  5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined.
  6. Gently fold in the diced apples by hand.
  7. Pour batter into a greased pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow the cake to cool completely.
  9. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth; slowly add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
  10. Whip on high for 2 minutes until airy and stiff peaks form, then spread generously over the cooled cake.