Apple Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting - This apple cake recipe is perfect for fall! Moist apple cake layered with peanut butter frosting and chocolate jimmies, garnished with fresh apple slices. Apples and peanut butter are meant to be together!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 4 8 inch pans with non-stick cooking spray. Dust each pan with 1 T. of flour. Tap out any excess and discard.
Grate about 8 or 9 small green apples. You want enough to make 3 cups of apple. Don't drain off the juice.
In a bowl, add in the granulated and brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
Add in the vegetable oil and mix until incorporated.
Add in the vanilla and one egg at a time until combined and then add the next until all of the eggs have been incorporated.
Add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix on low until incorporated.
Add in the grated apple and mix on medium until combined.
Divide the batter into the four pans.
Place in the oven and let it bake for about 30 - 33 minutes or until they're done. Place a toothpick into the center of the cake and if it comes out with moist crumbs or clean, the cake is done. If there is batter, let the cakes bake longer and check again.
Flip the cakes out onto cooling racks and let cool completely.
Frosting
In a mixing bowl, add in the butter and peanut butter. Mix on medium until incorporated.
Add in the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Turn the mixer on high and let it beat for another two minutes.
Add the first layer of cake and spread peanut butter frosting until it's evenly spread out.
Add the next layer of cake and peanut butter frosting.
Repeat with the next two layers of cake. Cover the cake with the frosting.
Cover the bottom of the cake with the chocolate sprinkles.
Add about ¾ cup of the frosting in a disposable piping bag with a star tip.
Pipe 8 swirls on top of the cake.
Heat up the 2 tablespoons of peanut butter in the microwave for about 25 seconds. Stir to make the peanut butter all fluid.
Pour the peanut butter on top of the cake.
Add the lemon juice or fruit fresh to each slice of the apples. That will prevent the apples from browning.
Place the apples skin side up on each mound.
Cut and serve.
Notes
For the lemon juice you can substitute out for fresh fruit powder.To store leftovers, place in an air tight container. You can store at room temperature for a day or two or in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.