Do you love easy desserts? If you are looking for one that's comforting and full of yummy flavors, then I have just the thing. This Caramel Apple Cake Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat!
With the perfect mix of sweet caramel, tart apples, and a hint of cinnamon spice, it’s great for any occasion. Even better, it’s super simple to make!
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Why You’ll Love Caramel Apple Cake
- Impressive: This caramel apple cake is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends.
- Simple: Even beginner bakers can nail this recipe with straightforward ingredients and no complicated techniques.
- Flavorful: Tender apple chunks, soft cake, and cinnamon frosting make every bite satisfying.
- Practical: A great way to use up extra apples after a day of apple picking.
- Perfect: Moist, soft, and just the right sweetness, with an optional caramel drizzle for added indulgence.
Apple Recipes
Easy apple recipes are popular for a reason. Their sweet and tart flavor works in everything from pies to cakes, and they’re always a hit. Apples are easy to incorporate into recipes. Plus, they are super versatile. I’ve got a few apple recipes we love:
Ingredients For Caramel Apple Cake Recipe
- Butter: Both salted and unsalted work here. This gives your cake its rich and moist texture while also forming the base of the frosting.
- Water: Gets added to the batter.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake.
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar: Add sweetness. Granulated sugar is for the cake base, and brown sugar gives the apple topping a caramel-like flavor.
- Baking soda and salt: These help the cake rise and balance the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings out those warm flavors in the cake and the frosting.
- Eggs and sour cream: These keep your cake extra moist and give it structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Apples: I recommend tart varieties like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweet and tangy in the topping.
- Powdered sugar and milk: These are for the frosting, helping make it smooth and spreadable.
- Caramel sauce (optional): Adds an extra layer of yumminess if you want to take this cake up a notch.
Baking Essentials
Making this caramel apple cake is easy, and you probably already have most of the tools you need. You’ll want a large mixing bowl for the batter, a saucepan for the butter and water mixture, and a jelly roll pan (10x15 inches) to bake the cake.
For the frosting, a whisk or electric mixer will make the job easier. A small pot is handy for cooking the apple topping.
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How to Make Apple Cake With Caramel
1. Make the cake
Whisk the dry ingredients - flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt - in a bowl. Heat butter and water in a saucepan, then mix it into the dry ingredients.
2. Bake the cake
Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla before pouring the batter into a prepared jelly roll pan. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the cake is done and a toothpick comes out clean.
3. Make the frosting
Melt the butter and milk in a saucepan. Whisk this with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Pour it over the warm cake and spread it out evenly before letting the whole thing cool.
4. Apple topping
For the apple topping, cook diced apples in melted butter, then mix in brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Once the apples are tender and cool, spread them over the cake.
5. Caramel sauce
Drizzle with caramel sauce if you’re feeling fancy.
Tips For Caramel Glaze Apple Cake
Tip 1: Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor. They balance out the sweetness of the frosting and caramel.
Tip 2: Be careful not to overcook the apples. They should still hold their shape for the topping.
Tip 3: Spread the frosting while the cake is still warm. It will be easier to work with and spread more evenly over the surface.
Tip 4: If you’re short on time, skip the caramel drizzle. The cake is still amazing with just the apple topping and frosting.
FAQS For Caramel Apple Cake Recipe
Once your cake has cooled completely, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze the cake for up to 2 months. Just make sure to wrap it well and thaw it in the fridge before serving.
You sure can! While Granny Smiths are a favorite for their tartness, sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji will also work. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Sheet Cake Recipes
There is a reason why Sheet cakes are a great go-to dessert. They are easy and quick to make and big enough to feed a crowd. They’re perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or just when you want something sweet. Here are some of our favorites:
This caramel apple cake is simple enough for beginners but impressive enough to wow your guests. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Easy Dessert Recipes
📖 Recipe
Caramel Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup butter
- ⅓ cup milk
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Apple Topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 cups apples peeled, cored, and diced into ½-inch chunks (Granny Smith works great!)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Caramel sauce optional, for drizzle
Instructions
Bake the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.
- Heat the butter and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and pour it into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Mix in the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes.
Make the Frosting
- Melt the butter and milk together in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in the hot butter mixture until smooth.
- Pour the frosting over the warm cake, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Allow the cake to cool completely.
Prepare the Apple Topping
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced apples and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Mix the brown sugar, corn starch, and cinnamon in a small bowl, then stir it into the apples.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but not mushy (you don’t want applesauce!). Allow to cool completely.
- Spread the cooled apple topping over the frosting, then drizzle with caramel sauce (optional but encouraged for a sweet finishing touch!).
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Notes
- Use tart apples, like Granny Smith, to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Their tanginess complements the sweetness of the frosting and caramel beautifully.
- When cooking the apples, make sure not to overdo it! They should stay slightly firm to maintain their shape and texture in the topping.
- Spread the frosting while the cake is still warm. It'll glide on smoothly and create an even, luscious layer over the cake.
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