I can be such a party pooper when it comes to surprises. Every year before his birthday, I spend weeks searching for the perfect gift for Mike, which I buy in secret and then stash away. This is all wasted energy really, since I always, always tell him what it is before his birthday (really, it’s sort-of a windfall for him).
At Christmas I’m no better. I’ve been known to bribe my sister with Tim Hortons coffee (her favorite) and homemade muffins for information on gifts. I can’t help it, lol…the anticipation is too much for me!
And I won’t even talk about the surprise party my mom collaborated with my college roommates to throw for me on my 21st birthday. Suffice to say, I was more than surprised – shocked, actually – and while I recognize that they did an amazing thing for me, surprises are not my strong point and I was not the happiest camper. (Don’t worry, I got over it quickly…chocolate cake and presents helped with that. ;) )
Mike knows about my strange issues with surprises. And being the sweetheart that he is, he usually obliges my eccentricities. Except last week when he called me mid-morning one day, to say that his boss was coming for dinner that night and could I make something nice. It was a total surprise, but I was prepared without even knowing it.
You see, I always have an abundance of apples on hand, especially this time of year (I just recently went apple picking), and what goes better with apples than caramel? (Ok, maybe peanut butter…or cinnamon…but caramel is definitely another great pairing.) I had actually made caramel sauce the night before to drizzle over some apples, and I was in the process of dreaming up this cake when he called.
Timing is everything, is it not? ;)
While I didn’t make this cake for the Eid, it would absolutely be a lovely thing to celebrate the occasion with. I’m wishing everyone a very happy Eid al-Adha!
Caramel Apple Cake (Inspired by the batter I made for Apple-Pear Crumb Cake)
Yields 1 (2-layer) cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb apples, peeled, cored, and shredded (I use Cortland)
1/2 cup Caramel Sauce, divided (store-bought or use homemade recipe below)
1 batch Vanilla-Cinnamon Frosting (recipe below)
Preheat oven to 350F; butter and flour 2 (9-inch) round baking pans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy, then whisk in the oil, milk, and vanilla. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet, then fold in the shredded apple, being careful not to over-mix.
Divide the batter between the 2 prepared pans, and bake until golden on top and a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean or with just a couple crumbs, about 20 to 24 minutes. Cool completely before assembling.
Measure out 3 tablespoons from the 1/2 cup of caramel sauce; transfer to a small bowl and reserve for drizzling on top of the cake once it’s frosted. To assemble the cake, turn 1 cake out onto a cake stand. Spread on the remaining caramel sauce (other than the reserved 3 tablespoons), leaving a border of about 1/2-inch all around. Refrigerate 1 hour or until fully chilled, then carefully place the other cake on top. Frost the top and sides with Vanilla-Cinnamon Frosting. Chill 1 hour before cutting and serving; wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
Homemade Caramel Sauce (Adapted from Simply Recipes’ recipe for Caramel Sauce)
Yields about 1 1/2 cups
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
In a small bowl, combine the cream and vanilla; set aside.
Add the sugar and water to a medium-sized thick-bottomed pot; turn the heat on medium-high and cook until sugar is caramelized and amber in color (see this post for more explanation); you can give the pot a swirl to help the water and sugar dissolve, but do not stir until about 2/3 of the sugar is melted. From that point on, gently stir constantly with a wooden spoon.
Once the sugar turns amber-colored, carefully add the butter and salt, and stir to combine. Once the butter is melted, turn off the heat and carefully pour in the cream mixture, stirring until smooth.
Cool completely before using or storing.
A Note on Storing Caramel: This keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Like any caramel sauce, it will harden after being refrigerated; to soften, you can gently warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Vanilla-Cinnamon Frosting (Based on my go-to recipe for basic buttercream)
3 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
6 tablespoons vegetable shortening, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 lb powdered sugar
3 to 5 tablespoons milk
Use a handheld electric beater to cream together the butter, shortening, vanilla, and cinnamon. Alternate between beating in the powdered sugar and milk until all the powdered sugar is added and the buttercream is smooth and creamy.
This cake is wonderfully moist, with a great balance of flavors between the apple and caramel.
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Im not much for surprises either! That cake is just gorgeous! I better your dinner guest was thrilled
This looks amazing!
I am terrible with surprises too–everyone in my family jokes about how I tell them what I get them as soon as I buy it. I don’t like to wait for presents either!
Happy Eid! That is one fabulous and tempting cake.
Cheers,
Rosa
Apple and caramel are the perfect combo. Since hubby, does not like frosting of filling, I can make this star as a plainer version but I bet it will be just as delicious.
I bet Mike’s boss loved this cake! I’m not much for surprises either although I do like to surprise others. I couldn’t come up with a delicious cake like this though!
Caramel and apples…this cake is calling me. :) I have a surfeit of apples right now too- how perfect!
That’s a sinfully delicious apple cake with frosting and caramel drizzle. Looks heavenly.
Eid Mubarak Faith! I have a real weakness for caramel cakes, and I plan on making this for friends visiting next weekend. Delicious!
Happy Eid. Your cake looks awesome!
Your husband must have been thrilled to bring his boss home to dinner and that beautiful cake. It looks so delicious with that caramel sauce oozing out!
I have to say, I’m not great at surprises either. Unless they’re surprise slices of cake. If this should up at my door unexpectedly…it would be much appreciated. :P
This cake looks gorgeous. Love that caramel sauce filling – that’s a lovely hidden surprise!
It’s really hard to surprise me too. I always either catch on or ruin it from myself. I’m horrible.
The cake looks amazing too. Caramel and apple is one of my favorite combinations!!!
Your cake looks absolutely scrumptious Faith! My family always asks for lists so I pretty much know what I’m getting – a surprise would be nice once in a while!
I’ve been craving caramel something fierce for weeks now, Faith. :-) I LOVE this cake you’ve made. I don’t usually like apple in desserts too much, but I love it when mixed with caramel. :-)
Delicious looking cake, Faith! And I’m like you….no surprises for me, thanks… :)
Happy Eid! That’s one delicious looking apple cake. And caramel drizzle?! Wow!!
Yum! This looks wonderful, delicious combo of flavors:)
Wow! For someone who doesn’t like surprises, you sure took that “boss is coming over for dinner” surprise quote well. I would’ve probably tried to flee town.
Your cake looks fantastic and I couldn’t agree with you more, apples and caramel, definitely a great combo there.
this cake would have made my day! wow! perfectly frosted, best combo. I wish I shared your talent for gifts, I am always at a loss when it comes to gift-giving, surprise or not!
I bet Mike’s boss was impressed! I am drinking a hot cup of tea right now and would kill for a piece of that cake!
Oh wow. Stunning combination of flavours- and so beautifully done.
i’ll bet everyone was majorly impressed–i know i am! great flavors, great ratio of cake-to-frosting, great presentation. bravo, faith!
I’m pretty bad with surprises too… I always want to know, but then if people do tell me, I kinda feel bad about it, haha. Looks like you put together a lovely dessert for your last minute guest! Apple and caramel is a great combo :)
Now I could eat all of this cake. Apples and caramel two of my favorite flavours.
It looks really moist and delicious
You are certainly hands down a better spouse than I would have been if my husband dared spring his boss on my household with such short notice.
Faith, hats off to not only your tolerance but definitely your speedy inspiration to make this wonderful cake.
I would love a piece of this indulgence…brava…well done.
Ciao for now,
Claudia
Faith
This sounds and looks like a sensational cake for a party–last minute or no. I like to hear that you’re not a fan of surprises. I don’t like them either. I’m never sure how to react to them and always feel poorly prepared bordering on put-out and irritated.
I’ll bet you had fun taking that lost shot. It’s always fun when you have to “eat a little cake” for the sake of the photo. This dessert looks positively scrumptious and, for me, there’s no better combination than caramels with apple.
I’m a year late but it still looks amazing! Saw it on Pinterest and also the other one that’s similar! I’d love a slice!
With a big cup of Tim Hortons coffee, too!