Caramelized Apple Spice Cake is a warm, fragrant cake with the perfect combination of sweet apples, aromatic spices, and a rich caramel flavor. It’s a delicious dessert for fall or any occasion. Here’s a simple recipe to make this cozy, flavorful cake.
Caramelized Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients:
For the Caramelized Apples:
- 3 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk mixed with 1/2 tsp lemon juice)
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
For the Caramel Drizzle (optional but recommended):
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Caramelize the Apples:
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the sliced apples and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until the apples are soft and caramelized, and the sugar has melted into a syrupy consistency.
- Remove the skillet from heat and set the caramelized apples aside to cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (or line it with parchment paper).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients in 2-3 parts, alternating with the buttermilk and sour cream. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined – do not overmix.
3. Assemble the Cake:
- Gently fold the caramelized apples (with any syrup) into the cake batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Prepare the Caramel Drizzle (Optional):
- While the cake is baking, make the caramel drizzle (optional). In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
5. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cake has cooled, drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the top of the cake before serving.
- Optional: Top with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can add some chopped walnuts or pecans to the cake batter or as a garnish on top.
- If you prefer a less sweet cake, you can reduce the sugar slightly in the cake batter and skip the caramel drizzle.
- The cake can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
This Caramelized Apple Spice Cake is a perfect combination of moist cake, warm spices, and gooey caramelized apples. Enjoy it as a dessert for any fall gathering or holiday celebration!