Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my all-time favorite fall treat: caramel apple spice cake! This cake is bursting with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and when you drizzle that rich, gooey caramel on top, it feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. I remember the first time I made it for a family gathering—everyone was raving about it, and I couldn’t help but feel proud! It’s the perfect dessert to share while sipping cider and reminiscing about cozy autumn evenings. Trust me, once you take a bite, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – This is the base of your cake, giving it that perfect structure.
- 1 1/2 cups sugar – Sweetens the deal and balances the spices beautifully!
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – This helps the cake rise, making it fluffy and light.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – A little extra lift to ensure your cake is tender.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – The warm spice that defines the autumn flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg – Just a pinch adds depth and warmth.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger – Gives a slight kick and enhances the spice blend.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce – Keeps the cake moist and adds a lovely apple flavor.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil – Ensures your cake stays tender and not dry.
- 3 large eggs – Binds everything together for a rich texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A must for that warm, comforting aroma.
- 2 cups diced apples – Fresh or tart apples add juicy bites throughout the cake.
- 1 cup caramel sauce – Drizzle this on top for a decadent finish that you won’t want to skip!
How to Prepare the Caramel Apple Spice Cake
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s nice and hot when your cake goes in.
- While that’s heating up, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to help your cake come out easily.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. This blend of dry ingredients is where the magic begins!
- In another bowl, whisk together the applesauce, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and stir until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few lumps—don’t overmix!
- Gently fold in the diced apples, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, let the cake cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before drizzling with that luscious caramel sauce!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation—ready in just under an hour!
- Delightful flavor that perfectly balances warm spices and sweet caramel.
- Seasonal appeal—ideal for fall gatherings and cozy celebrations.
- Moist, tender cake packed with juicy apple bites.
- Versatile dessert; serve warm, at room temperature, or with a scoop of ice cream!
Tips for Success
To make your caramel apple spice cake truly shine, here are some of my favorite tips! First, choose a mix of sweet and tart apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, for the best flavor balance. Remember, you want those juicy bites to pop in every slice! Keep an eye on your baking time; ovens can vary, so check for doneness a few minutes early to avoid overbaking. And don’t skip the cooling time—allowing the cake to rest helps the flavors meld beautifully. Finally, drizzle that caramel sauce generously; it’s what makes this cake extra special!
Variations of Caramel Apple Spice Cake
If you want to switch things up with your caramel apple spice cake, there are so many fun variations to try! For a delightful crunch, add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the batter—trust me, it adds a lovely texture. You can also experiment with spices; try swapping the ground ginger for allspice or cardamom for a unique twist. If you’re feeling adventurous, mix in other fruits like pears or even dried cranberries for an extra burst of flavor. And don’t forget about a cream cheese frosting instead of caramel for a tangy finish. The possibilities are endless!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your caramel apple spice cake fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to extend its life, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, you can simply warm it in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds, or pop it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes. Enjoy that warm, cozy goodness again!
Nutritional Information
Keep in mind that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. For a typical slice of this delicious caramel apple spice cake, you can expect approximately:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 10g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Sugar: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 150mg
This cake is a sweet treat, perfect for those fall celebrations, but it’s always good to enjoy in moderation!
FAQ Section
Can I substitute the applesauce? Absolutely! If you don’t have applesauce on hand, you can use mashed bananas or even pumpkin puree for a different flavor. Just keep the measurements the same.
What type of apples work best? I recommend using a mix of sweet and tart apples, like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. This combo gives the cake a delightful flavor burst with every bite!
Can I make this cake ahead of time? Yes, you can! This cake actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop. Just make sure to store it properly!
How should I serve it? This cake is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it by serving warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Yum!
Can I freeze the caramel apple spice cake? Yes, it freezes beautifully! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and it should stay good for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before enjoying!
For more delicious recipes, check out this carrot cake recipe or this banana cheesecake recipe!
Z nadrukami
Caramel Apple Spice Cake: 7 Ways to Enjoy Fall’s Best Treat
- Całkowity Czas: 50 minutes
- Ustępować: 12 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
This caramel apple spice cake is a delightful dessert filled with warm spices and rich caramel flavor.
Składniki
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups diced apples
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, spices, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in diced apples.
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before drizzling with caramel sauce.
Uwagi
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Top with whipped cream for added flavor.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 35 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 slice
- Kalorie: 250
- Cukier: 20g
- Sód: 150mg
- Kwasy: 10g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 1.5g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 8g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 38g
- Włókno: 2g
- Białko: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Słowa kluczowe: caramel apple spice cake, dessert, fall recipes
