Description
Indulgent Southern apple pecan cake with caramel glaze brings comfort and warmth to your dessert table. Rich layers of spiced cake, studded with pecans and drizzled with silky caramel, promise a delightful escape into pure culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Cake Base):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
Fruits and Nuts:
- 2 cups diced apples
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Spices and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Caramel Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the sugar mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a smooth, consistent batter without overmixing.
- Carefully fold chopped apples and roughly chopped pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to promote even browning.
- Test cake doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center; it should emerge without raw batter clinging to it.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish for approximately 30 minutes before preparing the caramel glaze.
- For the glaze, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add brown sugar and heavy cream.
- Whisk the caramel mixture continuously, bringing it to a gentle boil and cooking for exactly 2 minutes to develop rich flavor.
- Remove the caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract for additional depth.
- Drizzle the warm caramel glaze evenly over the cooled cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides and set naturally.
- Let the glazed cake rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the caramel to fully set.
Notes
- Choose ripe, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance in the cake.
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty aroma and provide a deeper, richer taste profile.
- Consider using gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the cake’s moisture and structure.
- Reduce sugar content by substituting some brown sugar with unsweetened applesauce for a healthier alternative that maintains the cake’s delightful sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg