Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour (315g)
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar (300g)
  • 2 tsp baking powder (10g)
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda (3g)
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon (5g)
  • 0.5 tsp salt (3g)
  • 0.75 cup vegetable oil (180ml)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (10ml)
  • 0.5 cup sour cream (120g)
  • 3 cups fresh tart apples, peeled and finely diced (450g)
  • 0.75 cup light brown sugar (150g)
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon (15g)
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted (115g)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (225g)
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened (115g)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (360g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (5ml)
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream (30ml)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream until emulsified.
  4. Gradually combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold in the diced apples.
  5. Prepare the cinnamon swirl by mixing melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon; layer this into the batter in the prepared pans.
  6. Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  7. Beat softened cream cheese and butter together, then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until smooth.
  8. Frost the cooled cake layers and assemble the birthday cake.