Salted Caramel Apple Cake
There’s something magical about a warm, gooey slice of Salted Caramel Apple Cake fresh out of the oven. In our household, this cake is more than just dessert; it’s a celebration of comfort, family, and the irresistible aroma of baked apples and caramel. I first stumbled upon this recipe on a chilly fall afternoon, inspired by the overflowing basket of apples we picked at a nearby orchard. What began as a simple experiment quickly turned into a family tradition, with everyone eagerly awaiting their slice, topped with extra caramel sauce.
What makes this cake so special? It’s the perfect blend of flavors and textures: tender apples, crunchy pecans, and a luscious salted caramel drizzle that ties everything together. My kids call it “apple pie in cake form,” and my husband always sneaks an extra slice when he thinks no one is watching. It’s a dish that brings people together, whether for a cozy Sunday brunch or a special holiday treat.
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s easy enough for a weeknight dessert but impressive enough for a dinner party, this is it. Trust me when I say, one bite of this cake, and you’ll be hooked. It’s more than just a dessert—it’s a little piece of joy you can share with your loved ones.
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe:
Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely! While I love using Granny Smith for their tartness, you can experiment with other varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter flavor.
Do I have to use pecans?
Not at all! Feel free to substitute with walnuts or even leave the nuts out entirely if you prefer.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake stores beautifully. Just wrap it tightly and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for up to a month.
What’s the best way to reheat this cake?
Pop a slice in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to warm it up and bring out that gooey caramel topping.
What You Need to Make Salted Caramel Apple Cake:
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream
2 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith recommended)
½ cup chopped pecans
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup heavy cream
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp sea salt
Tools:
9-inch round cake pan or bundt pan
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer
Saucepan
How to Make It:
Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pan.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Mix until just combined.
Fold in apples and pecans: Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped pecans.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Make the caramel sauce: While the cake cools, heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until melted and amber-colored. Remove from heat, whisk in butter, heavy cream, and sea salt.
Assemble: Drizzle the caramel sauce over the cooled cake.
Tips:
Use room-temperature ingredients: This ensures a smooth batter and even baking.
Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the cake dense. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined.
Customize the caramel: Add a splash of bourbon to the caramel sauce for a grown-up twist.
Serve with ice cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream takes this dessert to the next level.
Latest Reviews:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This is the best apple cake I’ve ever made! The salted caramel sauce is to die for.” – Rachel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Delicious, but I think I’ll use walnuts next time instead of pecans.” – Mike
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Perfect for fall gatherings! My kids loved it, and so did my book club.” – Laura
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The cake was a bit too sweet for me, but my husband adored it.” – Sarah
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I made this for Thanksgiving, and it was the highlight of dessert time!” – Dana
Printable Recipe:
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Salted Caramel Apple Cake
A tender and moist apple cake with pecans, topped with a luscious salted caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall, this cake is an irresistible treat for gatherings or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith recommended)
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp sea salt
- Tools:
- 9-inch round cake pan or bundt pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pan.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in apples and pecans: Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped pecans.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make the caramel sauce: While the cake cools, heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until melted and amber-colored. Remove from heat, whisk in butter, heavy cream, and sea salt.
- Assemble: Drizzle the caramel sauce over the cooled cake.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on your social media! I would love for more people to try this delicious and easy-to-make recipe. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you! Shhh… Join our secret foodie group on Facebook
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