1-Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter three 8- or 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

2-Sift dry ingredients: Sift together 3 cups all-purpose flour (400 g), 3 teaspoons baking powder (12 g), and ¾ teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside.

3-Beat eggs and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat 6 large eggs, 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar (431 g), and 3 tablespoons vanilla bean paste until light and creamy.

4-Mix flour mixture: Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined.

5-Heat milk and butter: Heat 1 ½ cups whole milk (360 g) and melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (84 g) in it. Add ½ cup vegetable oil (104 g), then stir the hot milk mixture into the batter.

6-Divide batter: Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans (about 580 g per pan).

7-Bake cake layers: Bake for 35-38 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8-Cool cakes: Cool the cakes completely on a wire rack before assembling.

9-Toss apples: Toss 4 medium apples, peeled and diced (517 g), with 1 tablespoon apple cider or lemon juice, ½ cup brown sugar, lightly packed (100 g), 2 teaspoons apple pie spice, and a pinch of kosher salt.

10-Brown butter: Brown 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 g) in a saucepan over medium heat.

11-Cook apple mixture: Add the apple mixture to the saucepan and cook until the sugar dissolves and the apples soften, about 5-7 minutes.

12-Create slurry: Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water or apple cider to create a slurry.

13-Thicken filling: Stir the cornstarch mixture into the filling and cook until thickened, about 1-2 more minutes.

14-Cool filling: Remove from heat and let cool completely before assembling the cake.

15-Beat frosting ingredients: In a large bowl, beat 8 oz unsalted butter, room temperature (227 g), 16 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (453 g), and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until creamy.

16-Add sugar and cinnamon: Add 1 ⅔ cups powdered sugar (181 g) and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

17-Beat until fluffy: Beat until smooth, creamy, and fluffy.

18-Chill frosting if needed: If the frosting seems too soft, chill for about 15 minutes before assembling.

19-Place first layer and frost: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread ¾ cup frosting evenly on top.

20-Pipe frosting border: Pipe a frosting border around the edge to create a well, then spoon half the apple filling inside the border.

21-Add second layer and frost: Add the second cake layer and repeat the process with another ¾ cup frosting and the remaining apple filling.

22-Add third layer: Add the third and final layer.

23-Frost top and coat sides: Spread ½ cup frosting on top of the final layer and coat the sides with the remaining frosting.

24-Decorate cake: Decorate with fresh apple slices and cookie crumbs if desired for an impressive presentation.

25-Refrigerate cake: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set the frosting before serving.