Fall is here and we are all about it! There are a lot of flavors that scream fall and caramel apple is definitely at the top of our list. Personally, we think it deserves a lot more attention than it gets. If you are not quite on board with caramel apple then we have a cake that will definitely make you team caramel apple. This cake consist of apple spice cake, caramel buttercream, apple filling and homemade caramel sauce.
We are big fans of cakes that have multiple textures and flavor components and this cake does not fall short of that. In addition to a buttercream filling we also added an apple pie inspired filling and homemade caramel sauce. Both the apple filling and the caramel sauce are made on the stove and will need to cool completely before being used in the cake. We like to make both of these recipes the day before so they can chill overnight and save us some time the next day.
To assemble the cake, start with the first layer of cake topped with a layer of caramel buttercream. Once you get an even layer of buttercream, create a buttercream damn around the edge. Fill the damn with a drizzle of caramel, layer of apple filling and then top with another layer of cake. Repeat the process and then crumb coat the cake once you have all three layers stacked. Chill the crumb coated cake for about 20 minutes before adding a final layer of buttercream.
To decorate the cake we used the remaining caramel sauce to top the cake and create a caramel drip around the edge of the cake. We used a squirt bottle to create the drip, but you can also use a spoon to slowly drip the caramel around the edge. Next we colored the majority of the remaining butter cream red and then a small amount of green and brown. We used Wilton tip 1M for the apple, tip 5 for the stem and tip 352 for the leaf.
Our Caramel Apple cake is definitely a new fall favorite of ours and we hope it becomes a favorite of yours as well. If you make this cake we would love to know what you think. Leave us a comment below and tag us on social media. Thank you for stopping by! Happy baking!
Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups apples diced
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp brown sugar divided
- 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon divided
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 350 degrees and grease three 6 inch cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, add the diced apples, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Mix together and set aside.
- In another medium bowl, combine the remaining cinnamon, flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt and set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the applesauce, remaining brown sugar and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three installments and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the spiced apples.
- Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared pans and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs.
Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp corn syrup
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 – 1 tsp salt depending on how salty you want it
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Place the sugar, water and corn syrup in a sauce pan. Place over high heat and stir until the sugar begins to dissolve.
- Continue to boil without stirring until the mixture reaches a medium amber color and then remove from heat.
- Carefully whisk in the cream. The caramel will foam, but continue whisking and then add the salt, vanilla and butter until smooth.
- Transfer to a heat proof container to cool to room temperature.
Notes
Caramel Buttercream
Ingredients
- 3 cups (6 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
- 6 cup confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 2/3 cup caramel sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter. Start off at a low speed and then gradually increase until the butter is light in color and
smooth. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl as needed. - Add the sugar, one cup at a time, mixing at a low speed until fully incorporated before you add the next cup.
- Add the caramel sauce, vanilla and salt and beat at a low speed for
about 20 seconds. Increase the speed to high and beat for about 5 minutes until
the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy. Stop the mixer a couple times to
scrape the bowl.
Apple Filling
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced apples
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
- pinch salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Toss diced apples in lemon juice and set aside.
- In a large sauce pan, combine the sugars, corn starch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pour in the water and whisk together. Cover and heat over medium heat until boiling.
- Once boiling, cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Add apples and bring back to a boil. Simmer, stirring occasionally until apples are tender (about 10-15 minutes).
- Transfer to a heat proof container and let cool completely.
