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The Best Caramel Apple Spice Cake Recipe

The Best Caramel Apple Spice Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Homemade caramel apple spice cake brings autumnal comfort to your kitchen with layers of warm cinnamon and sweet caramel. Seasonal ingredients meld perfectly, creating a dessert that whispers comfort and invites you to savor each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups peeled and diced apples
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon (2.6 g) ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1.3 g) ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.65 g) ground cloves

Sweeteners and Liquids:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and thoroughly coating a bundt pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until uniformly blended.
  3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cake’s texture.
  4. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing until fully integrated and creating a rich, smooth consistency.
  5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with milk to maintain a silky batter texture.
  6. Gently fold diced apples into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the cake mixture.
  7. Transfer the prepared batter into the prepared bundt pan, spreading evenly to create a consistent cake structure.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, which helps maintain its structural integrity.
  10. Once cooled, carefully release the cake from the bundt pan and generously drizzle caramel sauce over the top for a decadent finishing touch.

Notes

  • Let apples sit at room temperature before dicing to enhance their natural sweetness and prevent browning during preparation.
  • Use fresh, crisp baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance in the cake.
  • Toast ground spices briefly in a dry skillet before adding to the recipe to intensify their aromatic qualities and deepen the cake’s warmth.
  • Opt for homemade caramel sauce for a richer, more authentic taste compared to store-bought versions, which can taste artificial and overly sweet.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg