This moist Caramel Apple Cake Recipe is warmly spiced, rich with caramel, and has a full pound of apples baked into the cake. And it’s finished off with an easy-to-make vanilla cinnamon buttercream!
I can be such a party pooper when it comes to surprises. Every year before Mike’s birthday, I spend weeks searching for the perfect gift for him. I buy it in secret and then stash it away.
This is all wasted energy. I always, always tell him what it is before his birthday (it’s sort-of a windfall for him, I guess).
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; the anticipation is too much for me, lol.
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. I recognize that they did an amazing thing for me, but 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.
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?
Homemade Caramel Apple Cake Recipe
This Caramel Apple Cake Recipe is moist with a tender crumb, aromatic with warm spices, and perfectly accentuated with an easy homemade salted vanilla caramel.
I made a quick and easy American buttercream flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, which goes really well with apple.
Can I Add Fresh Apple to Cake?
If you’re looking for ways to use apple this fall, this cake is perfect. It uses a full pound of apples!
For this cake, the apple is shredded, so you don’t get big chunks. The apple bakes into the cake and keeps it moist without the need for a ton of oil.
More Apple Recipes to Try:
- Irish Oatmeal with Hot Buttered Cinnamon Apples
- Homemade Apple Butter
- Cinnamon Apple Brown Butter Blondies
- Easy Homemade Candy Apples
- Apple Slab Pie with Nutty Oat Crumble Topping
- Low Carb Apple Bread
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith
Caramel Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Spiced Apple Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup avocado oil or other neutral or mild-flavored oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 lb apples peeled, cored, and shredded (I use Cortland)
- 1/2 cup Caramel Sauce divided (store-bought or use this homemade recipe)
Caramel:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Vanilla Cinnamon Frosting:
- 9 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 pound powdered sugar
- 3 to 5 tablespoons milk
Instructions
For the Cake:
- 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.
For the Carmel:
- 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. 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.
For the Frosting:
- Use a handheld electric beater to cream together the butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Alternate between beating in the powdered sugar and milk until all the powdered sugar is added and the buttercream is smooth and creamy.
To Assemble the Cake:
- 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 for up to 1 week.
Helpful Tips
- This recipe makes 1 cake with 2 9-inch layers.
- This cake recipe was adapted from my recipe for Apple Crumb Cake.
- This caramel recipe was adapted from Simply Recipes’ recipe for Caramel Sauce.
- This caramel recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of caramel sauce, but you’ll only need 1/2 cup for this recipe.
- This caramel 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.
Nutrition
This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on November 5, 2011. I updated it with more information on September 11, 2020.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items. Thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
just found this cake. . it’s gorgeous and pinned!!!
I’m not a huge fan of powdered sugar in frostings, so I normally make either a meringue buttercream or your cream cheese buttercream. Would this be good if I made the meringue buttercream and added vanilla bean and cinnamon?
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!
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.
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.
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
Now I could eat all of this cake. Apples and caramel two of my favorite flavours.
It looks really moist and delicious
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 :)
i’ll bet everyone was majorly impressed–i know i am! great flavors, great ratio of cake-to-frosting, great presentation. bravo, faith!
Oh wow. Stunning combination of flavours- and so beautifully done.
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!
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!
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.
Yum! This looks wonderful, delicious combo of flavors:)
Happy Eid! That’s one delicious looking apple cake. And caramel drizzle?! Wow!!
Delicious looking cake, Faith! And I’m like you….no surprises for me, thanks… :)
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. :-)
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!
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!!!
This cake looks gorgeous. Love that caramel sauce filling – that’s a lovely hidden surprise!
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
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!
Happy Eid. Your cake looks awesome!
Eid Mubarak Faith! I have a real weakness for caramel cakes, and I plan on making this for friends visiting next weekend. Delicious!
That’s a sinfully delicious apple cake with frosting and caramel drizzle. Looks heavenly.
Caramel and apples…this cake is calling me. :) I have a surfeit of apples right now too- how perfect!
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!
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.
Happy Eid! That is one fabulous and tempting cake.
Cheers,
Rosa
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!
Im not much for surprises either! That cake is just gorgeous! I better your dinner guest was thrilled