Garten recommends enjoying her fresh apple spice cake with a cup of tea in the afternoon for a snack, or with ice cream and caramel for the “perfect dessert.”
I opted for the latter for my first taste of the cake, which was a flurry of fantastic fall flavors. The nearly caramel flavor of the rum-soaked raisins brought some sweetness to the Granny Smith apples, while the pecans added some crunch. The cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves infused the cake with warm, nutty flavors, while the orange zest added balancing brightness to each bite.
The cake’s texture was also deliciously moist, and eating it warm with some ice cream and caramel on top felt like such a treat. Since the flavors aren’t overwhelmingly sweet, you can also enjoy the cake for breakfast without the ice cream or caramel, which is what I did the morning after I baked it.
Whether you’re hibernating for fall with Nora Ephron flicks or starting your annual “Gilmore Girls” rewatch, Garten’s fresh apple spice cake is sure to warm your heart, stomach, and soul.
