Experience the unparalleled joy of homemade baking with this exquisite Fresh Apple Cake, crowned with a luscious Caramel Glaze. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of autumn, perfectly embodying the cozy warmth and rich flavors of the season. It’s an ideal way to transform a bounty of crisp, fresh apples into a truly unforgettable treat.

The Ultimate Homemade Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze

There’s nothing quite like the inviting aroma of a freshly baked apple cake wafting through your home. As this delightful creation bakes, the sweet scent of apples melds with aromatic cinnamon, instantly conjuring images of vibrant fall days, apple orchards, and mugs of warm, spiced cider. This particular recipe yields an incredibly moist and tender apple cake that is utterly delicious on its own. But the true magic happens when we generously drape it with a homemade caramel glaze, transforming each slice into a decadent caramel apple experience – a harmonious blend of sweet, tart, and rich flavors.

Why This Apple Cake Stands Out

Many apple cake recipes promise moistness, but this one truly delivers. The secret lies in the careful balance of ingredients, ensuring every bite is packed with apple flavor and a tender crumb. Unlike drier cake counterparts, this fresh apple cake remains incredibly soft and flavorful for days, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for gatherings or a wonderful treat to enjoy throughout the week. The inclusion of wholesome apples not only adds natural sweetness and moisture but also a delightful textural contrast that elevates the cake beyond a simple sweet treat.

The Choice Apple: Granny Smith for Baking Perfection

For this recipe, we highly recommend using Granny Smith apples. Their firm texture holds up beautifully during baking, preventing the apples from becoming mushy and instead, leaving tender, distinct pieces of fruit throughout the cake. Furthermore, their characteristic tartness provides a crucial counterpoint to the sweetness of the cake batter and the rich caramel glaze, creating a well-balanced flavor profile that is both refreshing and comforting. While other apples can be used, Granny Smith offers that ideal blend of acidity and structure for a truly superior apple cake.

Essential Tips for Baking a Flawless Apple Cake

Before you dive into the delightful process of baking, here are a few important notes to ensure your fresh apple cake turns out perfectly every time. These insights will help you achieve the desired texture and simplify the baking experience.

Selecting the Right Baking Pan

This recipe is designed for an 8-cup tube pan, which is commonly used for angel food cakes. Its central core helps the cake bake evenly and allows for beautiful presentation. If you don’t have a tube pan, an 8-cup Bundt pan is an excellent alternative, offering a similar aesthetic and even baking. Should you opt for a 9×13 inch baking dish, which will produce a flatter, sheet-style cake, be prepared to adjust your baking time. Generally, a 9×13 pan might require slightly less baking time due to its shallower depth, so keep a close eye on it, testing for doneness frequently. Regardless of the pan type, ensure it’s adequately prepared to prevent sticking.

The Secret to a Seamless Release: Flour-Based Nonstick Spray

When it comes to preparing your pan, don’t underestimate the power of a good nonstick cooking spray that contains flour. This specific type of spray creates a robust, even coating that significantly reduces the risk of your cake sticking to the pan, ensuring a clean and effortless release. While regular nonstick spray is fine, the flour in the combined spray makes all the difference, especially for intricate Bundt pans. Make sure to spray every crevice and corner of your chosen pan generously.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Apple Cake

Gathering your ingredients beforehand is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth baking process. This recipe calls for a simple yet effective combination of pantry staples and fresh produce to create a cake that’s rich in flavor and wonderfully moist.

• Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness.
• Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and tenderizing.
• Vegetable Oil: Contributes to the cake’s exceptional moistness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient for structure.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent for a soft, airy crumb.
• Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple desserts, adding warmth and depth.
• Salt: Balances flavors and enhances sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Essential for aromatic sweetness.
• Granny Smith Apples: Peeled and chopped, for tartness and texture.
• Chopped Pecans: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor (optional but recommended).

Ingredients for the Irresistible Caramel Glaze

The homemade caramel glaze is what truly elevates this apple cake, transforming it into a decadent masterpiece. Made from a few simple ingredients, it’s remarkably easy to prepare.

• Salted Butter: The foundation of rich caramel flavor.
• Light Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel notes and a smooth texture.
• Milk: Helps achieve the perfect glaze consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and aroma of the caramel.

How to Bake Your Delicious Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze

Follow these detailed steps to create a truly remarkable apple cake that will become a staple in your fall baking repertoire. Precision and care at each stage will ensure a stunning result.

Prepare Your Oven and Pan

First, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). This lower temperature ensures the cake bakes evenly through without browning too quickly. Next, generously spray an 8-cup tube or Bundt pan with a nonstick cooking spray that contains flour. This step is vital for ensuring the cake doesn’t stick and comes out perfectly intact. Make sure to cover all surfaces, especially in intricate Bundt pan designs.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, and vegetable oil. Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat these ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture is light and well-emulsified. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed. The goal is a smooth, homogenous base for your cake batter.

Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed before adding them to the wet mixture. Gradually add this dry mixture to the liquid ingredients in three batches. Mix slowly after each addition, just until combined, to avoid overmixing. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake. Once the flour is mostly incorporated, stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Fold in Apples and Pecans

With a spatula, gently fold in the peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples and the chopped pecans. The batter will be quite thick at this stage, but the apples and pecans will be evenly dispersed, adding wonderful texture and flavor to every bite. Be careful not to mash the apples; maintain their distinct pieces.

Bake to Golden Perfection

Carefully pour the thick batter into your prepared tube pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for approximately one hour. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and pan choice, so begin checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, the cake is ready. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to a dry cake.

Cooling and Unmolding

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step; attempting to invert a warm cake can cause it to break apart. Once fully cooled, gently invert the cake onto a cake stand or a large serving platter. You can choose which side you prefer to show on top for aesthetic appeal. The bottom often has a beautiful, flat surface.

Crafting the Silky Caramel Glaze

This homemade caramel glaze is the crowning glory of the apple cake, adding a layer of rich, buttery sweetness that is simply irresistible. It’s surprisingly easy to make and comes together quickly.

Melt Butter and Combine Sweetness

In a small saucepan, melt the salted butter over low heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the light brown sugar and milk. Stir continuously to ensure the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth. The low heat prevents burning and allows the flavors to meld gradually.

Simmer for Richness and Thickness

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Whisk constantly for about 5 minutes. This simmering process allows the caramel to thicken slightly and develop a richer flavor. After 5 minutes, remove the pan from the heat.

Glaze Your Masterpiece

Stir in the vanilla extract, which adds a beautiful aromatic finish to the caramel. Allow the caramel glaze to cool for about 5 minutes. It will thicken slightly as it cools, reaching the perfect pouring consistency. Then, generously pour the warm glaze over the cooled apple cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides. For an extra touch of indulgence, top with additional chopped pecans (optional) before the glaze sets. The visual appeal alone is enough to tempt anyone!

Serving and Storage Suggestions

Once the glaze is set, slice your beautiful Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze and serve. It’s absolutely delightful on its own, but for an extra special treat, consider serving it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The contrast of the warm cake and cool topping is simply divine. Leftovers can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For optimal flavor and texture, allow refrigerated cake to come to room temperature before serving.

Variations to Explore

While this recipe is perfect as is, you can always experiment with slight variations to suit your taste. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cake batter for a more complex spice profile. If pecans aren’t your preference, walnuts or a mix of nuts can be substituted. For a richer, deeper caramel flavor, you can slightly brown the butter before adding the other glaze ingredients. You can also drizzle a little extra caramel sauce right before serving for an even more indulgent experience.

Craving More Apple Recipes?

If you’re an apple enthusiast, you’re in luck! There’s a world of delicious apple-infused treats waiting to be discovered. From comforting dips to innovative desserts, apples are incredibly versatile. Here are some more irresistible recipes to inspire your next baking adventure:

• Crock Pot Caramel Apple Dip
• Apple Pie Poke Cake
• Irish Apple Cake (with Custard Sauce)
• No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake
• Apple Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting
• The Best Apple Bread
• Apple Pie Bars
• Caramel Apple Cake
• Fried Apples
• 40 Best Fall Apple Recipes
• Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls
• No-Bake Apple Pie
• No-Starter Amish Friendship Bread
• Southern Caramel Cake

Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze

Homemade Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze is the perfect fall cake and a great way to use those fresh apples!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings: 10

Author: Brandie Skibinski

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples
• 1 cup chopped pecans

For the glaze:

• ¾ cup salted butter (1 1/2 sticks)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Spray an 8-cup tube or Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray (use the kind that has flour in it).
2. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or stand mixer, mix together eggs, sugar and oil until thoroughly combined.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture (in 3 batches) to the liquid mixture. Stir slowly to combine. Then mix in vanilla.
4. Finally, stir in chopped apples and pecans. Batter will be thick.
5. Pour batter into prepared tube pan.
6. Bake for about an hour (until a toothpick inserted comes out clean).
7. Allow cake to cool completely, then invert it gently onto a cake stand or large platter.
8. Begin making glaze. In a small pan, melt butter over low heat.
9. Whisk in brown sugar and milk.
10. Bring to a boil then gently reduce to a simmer. Whisk constantly for about 5 minutes then remove from heat.
11. Stir in vanilla extract. Allow the caramel glaze to cool for 5 minutes. Then pour over cake.
12. Top with extra chopped pecans (optional). Slice and serve.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 575kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 27g | Sodium: 515mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 46g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.