Apple Spice Cake Caramel (Printable Version)
Moist apple cake filled with warm spices and topped with salted caramel cream cheese frosting.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake
01 -
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
02 -
2 teaspoons baking powder
03 -
1 teaspoon baking soda
04 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
05 -
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 -
1 teaspoon ground ginger
07 -
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
09 -
1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
10 -
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
11 -
3/4 cup avocado oil or vegetable oil
12 -
1/2 cup buttermilk
13 -
4 large eggs, room temperature
14 -
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
15 -
1 cup grated apple (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
→ Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
16 -
8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
17 -
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
18 -
3 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
19 -
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
20 -
Pinch of salt
21 -
1/3 cup salted caramel sauce
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and set aside.
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly combined.
03 -
In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, applesauce, oil, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 -
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until just blended. Fold in the grated apple with care.
05 -
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
06 -
Beat cream cheese and butter on high speed until creamy, approximately 2–3 minutes. Add vanilla and salt; mix to combine. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth.
07 -
Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Spoon salted caramel sauce over the frosting and gently swirl with a butter knife to create ribbons. Slice and serve.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Using room temperature eggs ensures a smoother batter and better texture.