Introduction
There’s something so magical about fall baking, and this Caramel Apple Spice Cake truly captures the cozy flavors of the season. Tender spiced cake layered with juicy apples, then finished with a golden caramel drizzle—it’s pure comfort food. Perfect for family gatherings, bake sales, or a quiet night in with a cup of coffee.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with warm, cozy flavors.
- Easy to prepare with pantry staples.
- Caramel drizzle makes it bakery-worthy.
- Versatile: serve as a snack cake or dress up as a celebration cake.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups peeled, diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Caramel sauce, for drizzling
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- 9×13-inch baking dish (or 2 loaf pans)
- Spatula & whisk
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking dish.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla, then mix in applesauce.
- Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring gently.
- Fold in apples and nuts.
- Spread into prepared pan.
- Bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool slightly, then drizzle with caramel before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- A dollop of whipped cream.
- A mug of hot apple cider or coffee.
Tips for Success
- Dice apples small for even baking.
- Don’t overmix the batter.
- Warm the caramel before drizzling.
- Double the caramel if you love extra sweetness!
Storage
- Room Temp: 2 days covered.
- Fridge: Up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Up to 2 months (add caramel after thawing).
FAQs
Can I make it ahead of time? Yes! Flavors deepen overnight.
Can I use a bundt pan? Yes, bake for 50–55 minutes.
Do I need to peel the apples? Peeling gives a softer cake, but it’s optional.
Can I frost it? Cream cheese frosting works wonderfully!
Nutritional Info (per slice, approx.)
- Calories: 310
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
Caramel Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking dish.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla, then mix in applesauce.
- Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring gently.
- Fold in apples and nuts.
- Spread into prepared pan.
- Bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool slightly, then drizzle with caramel before serving.
Notes
Conclusion
This Caramel Apple Spice Cake is everything cozy about fall in dessert form. Moist, spiced, loaded with apples, and topped with caramel—it’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.
💌 If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a review and share your photos on Pinterest! And if apples are your thing, try my Apple Crisp or Apple Cider Donut Muffins next.
