The Best Caramel Apple Spice Cake Recipe: Sweet Fall Magic

Sweet autumn memories dance through my caramel apple spice cake, whispering comfort and warmth with every delectable slice.

Crisp apples mingle seamlessly with rich caramel notes, creating a symphony of seasonal flavors.

Baking this dessert feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket of nostalgic delight.

Fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic into each tender crumb, promising an unforgettable experience.

Soft, moist layers promise pure indulgence that connects you directly to cherished moments.

Each forkful promises a celebration of fall’s most beloved ingredients.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible treat.

FAQs

• What makes caramel and apples work so well together in this cake?

The sweet caramel complements the tart apples, creating a balanced flavor profile that brings out the best in both ingredients, delivering a rich and complex taste experience.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These varieties hold their shape during baking and provide a nice texture and tartness to the cake.

• How do I know if my caramel sauce is the right color?

Look for a deep amber color, which indicates the sugar has caramelized properly. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes of cooking, but watch carefully to prevent burning.

The Best Caramel Apple Spice Cake Ever

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: A warm, spiced cake that captures the essence of autumn's most beloved flavors.
• Bake with Ease: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: The combination of tender apples, warm spices, and rich caramel creates an irresistible treat that delights everyone from kids to adults.
• Versatile Celebration Cake: Perfect for family gatherings, holiday parties, or a special weekend dessert that brings people together with its comforting aroma and delicious taste.

Essential Ingredients for Caramel Apple Spice Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice: Warm spices that add depth and complexity to the cake's flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the sweetness.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cake.
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps create a tender crumb.
• Vanilla: Adds a classic, sweet flavor to the cake.

• Apples: Fresh fruit that brings natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that contribute to the cake's rich flavor and caramelization.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.

• Sugar, Water: The base for creating a deep amber caramel sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, silky caramel.
• Butter: Provides a luxurious, creamy texture to the caramel sauce.
• Vanilla, Salt: Enhance the overall flavor of the caramel sauce.

How to Bake Caramel Apple Spice Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).

Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground allspice
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until well blended.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk.

Begin and end with the flour mixture.

Gently fold in chopped apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan.

Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Create Caramel Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water.

Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color.

• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Stir constantly until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.

Let the caramel cool slightly before drizzling over the cooled cake.

Pro Tips for Moist and Spiced Cake

• Fold apples into batter gently to prevent overmixing, ensuring a tender and light cake texture.
• Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and structural integrity in the cake.
• Allow butter, eggs, and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to create smoother, more evenly blended batter.
• Monitor caramel sauce closely during cooking, removing from heat when it reaches a deep amber color to prevent burning.
• Pat chopped apples dry with paper towels before adding to batter to prevent excess liquid and maintain cake's proper consistency.

Variations to Customize Caramel Apple Spice Cake

• Gluten-Free Apple Spice Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cake's rich, warm flavors.
• Vegan Apple Caramel Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk to create a dairy-free, egg-free alternative that's equally delicious.
• Low-Sugar Apple Spice Cake: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar, and swap caramel sauce with a sugar-free version made with sugar alternatives for a diabetic-friendly option.
• Paleo-Friendly Apple Cake: Utilize coconut flour, replace refined sugar with honey, and use ghee instead of butter to craft a grain-free, Paleo-compliant dessert that honors the original recipe's spicy profile.

Serving Recommendations for Caramel Apple Spice Cake

• Apple Lover's Dream: Serve thick slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the warm spices and create a delightful temperature contrast.
• Caramel Drizzle Delight: Pour the homemade caramel sauce generously over each slice, allowing it to cascade down the sides and pool on the plate for a decadent presentation.
• Festive Fall Garnish: Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans or walnuts around the cake and dust with a light layer of ground cinnamon to enhance the autumn-inspired flavors and add a crunchy texture.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair each slice with a steaming mug of chai tea or spiced apple cider to elevate the cake's warming spice profile and create a cozy dessert experience.

Storing Caramel Apple Spice Cake Safely

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Slice cake before freezing, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For a crisp texture, briefly toast in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes.
• Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if covered with a cake dome or plastic wrap, ensuring it stays away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

The Best Caramel Apple Spice Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Caramel apple spice cake delivers autumn’s warmest flavors in one delightful dessert. Moist layers of cinnamon-infused cake paired with rich caramel frosting create a perfect seasonal celebration you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Fruits and Base):

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups peeled, chopped apples
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 3 large eggs

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers and Caramel Sauce:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Arrange the oven rack in the center and heat to 350F (175C). Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt until evenly distributed.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes pale and airy. Incorporate eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract.
4. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold chopped apples into the batter.
5. Transfer batter to the prepared cake pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 350F, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean. Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
6. For caramel sauce, combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, watching carefully until sugar dissolves and transforms into a deep amber color. Carefully introduce heavy cream, butter, vanilla, and salt, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and glossy. Allow sauce to cool slightly before drizzling over the completely cooled cake.

Notes

• Experiment with different apple varieties like Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness to customize the cake’s flavor profile.
• Toast the spices briefly before mixing to enhance their aromatic intensity and create a more complex taste experience.
• Swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk to make the recipe dairy-free and suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Reduce sugar content by using unsweetened applesauce or replacing part of the granulated sugar with natural sweeteners like stevia for a healthier version.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 390 kcal
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg