This Caramel Apple Cake combines the cozy warmth of a spice cake with the sweetness of homemade apple pie filling and salted caramel, creating a decadent dessert perfect for autumn gatherings or any time you want a flavorful treat. With layers of moist, spiced cake, apple pie filling, and a luscious cinnamon caramel frosting, this cake delivers an indulgent flavor experience that will impress anyone who tries it.
Ingredients
Spice Cake:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 ¼ cups light or dark brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
Salted Caramel:
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, cubed and room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Apple Pie Filling:
- 3 gala apples, peeled and chopped
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
Cinnamon Caramel Frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp salted caramel
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Spice Cake:
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F. Prepare three 8-inch cake pans by spraying them with nonstick baking spray and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter (make sure it has cooled), brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and sour cream. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add half of the dry ingredient mixture and half of the buttermilk to the wet ingredients. Stir until almost combined, then add the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk. Mix until the batter is smooth.
- Bake: Divide the cake batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans. Bake for 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before assembly.
Salted Caramel:
- Melt Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of sugar, stirring constantly. It will form clumps and eventually melt into a thick amber liquid.
- Add Butter: Once the sugar is fully melted, carefully stir in the butter. The mixture will bubble vigorously.
- Add Cream: Slowly drizzle in the heavy cream while continuing to stir. Let the mixture simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Flavor: Stir in the salt and vanilla extract. Allow the caramel to cool before using.
Apple Pie Filling:
- Cook Apples: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped apples and brown sugar. Cook until the apples soften, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Cinnamon and Thicken: Stir in the ground cinnamon and cornstarch. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the filling thickens. Let it cool before using in the cake.
Cinnamon Caramel Frosting:
- Beat Butter: Using a mixer, beat the butter on high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add in the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla extract, salt, salted caramel, and cinnamon. Beat on low speed to combine, then increase to high speed and whip until the frosting is fluffy.
Assembly:
- Layer the Cake: Place the first layer of the cooled spice cake on a serving plate. Spread a layer of apple pie filling evenly on top. Repeat with the second cake layer.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake layers are assembled, spread a thin layer of cinnamon caramel frosting (crumb coat) over the entire cake and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Then, apply a final thick layer of frosting.
- Decorate: Drizzle the top of the cake with salted caramel and sprinkle with any extra apples or cinnamon as garnish. Add extra apple slices or cinnamon sticks for a decorative touch.
Description and Tips
This Caramel Apple Cake is a rich and moist spice cake that brings out the best of fall flavors. The tender cake is layered with spiced apple pie filling, making every bite a delightful mix of texture and warmth. The salted caramel adds a sophisticated sweetness that balances the spiced layers, while the cinnamon caramel frosting ties everything together with a creamy, spiced finish.
Tips for Success:
- Cooling the caramel: Let the caramel cool slightly before using it in the frosting to prevent melting the butter.
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure that all dairy ingredients (eggs, sour cream, butter, and buttermilk) are at room temperature for a smooth batter.
- Even cake layers: For a professional look, trim the tops of the cake layers if they dome during baking to ensure they stack evenly.
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