1-Preheat your oven: Ready to bake up some magic? Making this Spiced Apple Cake is a fun adventure that anyone can tackle, starting with prepping your oven and ending with a showstopping dessert! 😋 First, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) for conventional or 160°C (320°F) for fan settings, and grease two 8×3 inch cake pans to ensure everything bakes evenly. This step sets the stage for a cake that’s golden and delicious.

2-Prepare the dry mix: In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, then whisk it all up and set it aside this dry mix is what gives the cake its fluffy texture.

3-Prepare the wet mix: Next, in a large bowl, whisk light brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla, and 2 cups of shredded apple until it’s nice and smooth, creating a wet mix that’s full of flavor.

4-Combine mixes: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones just until combined, being careful not to overmix, which keeps the cake light and airy.

5-Bake and cool the cake: Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean that’s about the time it takes for that Spiced Apple Cake aroma to fill your home! Let the cakes cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then move them to wire racks.

6-Prepare the apple filling: While they cool, whip up the apple filling by combining all those ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until everything melts and thickens, then cool it down.

7-Prepare the frosting: For the frosting, beat the butter until it’s fluffy, add powdered sugar in batches, and mix in the cream cheese, vanilla, lemon juice, and cinnamon just until smooth.

8-Assemble the cake: To assemble, level your cake layers, spread frosting on the first one, pipe a dam around the edge, fill with the cooled apple mix, add the second layer, and frost the top and sides for a polished look. Pipe some swirls on top for extra flair your Spiced Apple Cake is ready to impress!