Spiced Toffee Apple Cake
Bake this spiced toffee apple cake with warm spices, tender apples, and homemade toffee sauce. An easy and comforting dessert for fall.
There is something so comforting about baking with apples. The warmth of the spices and the sweetness of toffee create a dessert that feels perfect for autumn afternoons or after-dinner treats. I wanted to make a cake that combined the cozy flavors of spiced apple desserts with the richness of sticky toffee pudding.
When I made this cake for my family, the kitchen smelled amazing as it baked. Cinnamon and cloves filled the air, and the caramel sauce bubbling on the stove had everyone peeking in to see when it would be ready. By the time it came out of the oven, no one wanted to wait for it to cool before cutting into it.
The best part was seeing how quickly it disappeared once I served it. The moist spiced cake, the soft apples baked on top, and the drizzle of toffee sauce brought everything together. It is the kind of dessert that makes everyone ask for seconds and a recipe that is sure to become a family favorite.
Questions You May Have About This Recipe
Can I use any type of apple?
Yes, firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn hold their shape best during baking.
Do I need to peel the apples?
You do not have to. Leaving the peel on adds color and texture, but peeling works too if you prefer a softer topping.
Can I make the toffee sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance. Just reheat gently before drizzling over the cake.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes, the cake can be frozen for up to two months. Leave off the toffee sauce until you are ready to serve.
Is the cake best served warm or cold?
It tastes great either way, but slightly warm with extra toffee sauce poured over the top is the best.
What You Need to Make Spiced Toffee Apple Cake
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
2 firm apples, sliced thin
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup unsalted butter (for toffee sauce)
How to Make Spiced Toffee Apple Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
In another bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in sour cream.
Fold in the dry mixture until combined. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Arrange apple slices on top of the batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
While the cake bakes, make the toffee sauce by melting granulated sugar in a saucepan until golden. Stir in heavy cream and butter, whisking until smooth.
Let cake cool slightly before drizzling with warm toffee sauce.
Tips
Slice apples evenly so they bake at the same rate.
For deeper flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the apples before baking.
Do not rush the toffee sauce, let the sugar melt slowly to avoid burning.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Store leftovers in the fridge and warm gently before serving.
Reader Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This cake was a hit at Sunday dinner. The spices and the toffee sauce were perfect.” Margaret W.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I used Granny Smith apples and it balanced the sweetness so well. My husband had two slices.” Ellen R.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Moist, flavorful, and easy to make. It is going into my holiday baking list.” Joyce H.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The toffee sauce is what makes this cake special. Next time I will double the sauce recipe.” Linda P.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A wonderful fall dessert. My grandkids loved it and asked me to make it again next weekend.” Susan G.
Printable Recipe
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Spiced Toffee Apple Cake
Moist spiced cake topped with baked apples and finished with a rich toffee sauce. A cozy dessert perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 firm apples, sliced thin
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (for toffee sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in sour cream.
- Fold in the dry mixture until combined. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Arrange apple slices on top of the batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, make the toffee sauce by melting granulated sugar in a saucepan until golden. Stir in heavy cream and butter, whisking until smooth.
- Let cake cool slightly before drizzling with warm toffee sauce.
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