The Ultimate Moist Caramel Apple Cake: Your Go-To Fall Dessert Recipe

Caramel Apple Cake – a truly heavenly dessert that effortlessly captures the essence of autumn. This irresistible creation features incredibly moist, apple-spiced cake layers, generously swirled with luscious salted caramel sauce, and crowned with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfect treat for any fall gathering, or simply to indulge in a cozy evening at home.

When crafting this Caramel Apple Cake recipe, my vision was clear: it had to be a sheet cake. This design makes serving a breeze, perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you want to share a delightful dessert without the fuss of slicing a tall, delicate layer cake. Each bite of this spiced apple cake reveals layers infused with the rich flavors of applesauce and apple cider, perfectly complemented by a tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting and those irresistible salted caramel swirls. The very first forkful was a revelation – a soft, melt-in-your-mouth experience that immediately became a new favorite. This isn’t just a cake; it’s an experience, bringing together the comforting flavors of fall in every delectable bite.

If you love fall-inspired desserts and are looking for more delicious apple and caramel recipes, make sure to check out these other favorites:

• The Best Apple Cheesecake Cookies
• Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
• The Best Fall Inspired Apple Crumb Cookies

Why You Absolutely Must Make This Caramel Apple Cake

I don’t typically plead, but for this Caramel Apple Cake, I’m making an exception – it’s just *that* good! Here are compelling reasons why this should be your next baking adventure:

• Perfect Size for Any Gathering: This sheet cake is designed for ease and abundance. Its 9×13 inch size is ideal for serving a crowd, making it a fantastic dessert for family dinners, holiday parties, or potlucks. Forget the stress of stacking and decorating a multi-layer cake; this one is effortlessly elegant and satisfying.
• No Complicated Decorating Skills Needed: One of the best aspects of this caramel apple cake is its charming, rustic appeal. With luscious cream cheese frosting spread evenly and artistic salted caramel swirls, it requires absolutely no advanced decorating skills. Simply frost, swirl, and serve – making the process enjoyable and the result stunningly delicious.
• The Quintessential Flavor of Fall: Every bite of this cake is a warm embrace of autumn. It’s brimming with the comforting aroma and taste of apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg, perfectly balanced with the rich, buttery sweetness of caramel. This cake truly encapsulates the magic of fall, making it an instant classic for the season.
• Incredibly Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to the inclusion of vegetable oil, applesauce, and apple cider, this cake boasts an exceptional moistness that will melt in your mouth. The combination of these ingredients creates a tender crumb that stays fresh and delicious for days, ensuring every slice is as delightful as the first.
• Homemade Salted Caramel Perfection: While store-bought caramel is an option, making your own salted caramel from scratch elevates this cake to another level. The slightly salty, deeply caramelized flavor beautifully cuts through the sweetness of the apple cake and cream cheese frosting, creating a truly unforgettable dessert experience.

The Irresistible Harmony: Why Apples and Caramel are a Match Made in Heaven

The pairing of apples and caramel is a timeless classic, a flavor combination that evokes warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. But what makes this duo so uniquely irresistible? Apples, with their crisp texture and tart-to-sweet flavor profile, provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery, and often salty notes of caramel. The fruit’s natural acidity brightens the deep sweetness of the caramel, preventing it from being overly cloying. When baked into a cake, apples soften and release their aromatic juices, infusing every crumb with their distinctive taste. This cake takes that classic pairing and enhances it further, creating a multi-dimensional dessert where each component shines, yet contributes to a harmonious whole. It’s a celebration of these complementary flavors, designed to delight your palate and become a cherished recipe in your kitchen.

Choosing the Right Apples for Your Cake

While this recipe primarily uses applesauce and apple cider for its apple flavor, understanding which apple varieties work best in baking can elevate any apple dessert. For a cake where the apple flavor needs to be robust and hold its own against spices and caramel, consider using firm, tart, or slightly sweet-tart apples. Varieties like Granny Smith offer a tangy punch, while Honeycrisp or Fuji provide a good balance of sweetness and crispness that holds up well when cooked. If you were to add diced apples to this cake (a fantastic variation!), a mix of a tart and a sweet apple would provide the most depth of flavor and texture. For this specific recipe, the choice of unsweetened applesauce and robust apple cider ensures a concentrated apple flavor that permeates the moist cake layers beautifully.

Essential Ingredients for Your Caramel Apple Cake (Grocery List Spotlight)

To make your baking process smooth and enjoyable, I’ve highlighted some key ingredients for this recipe that you might want to ensure you have on hand. For a complete list of all ingredients and precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card below!

• Corn Syrup: This is a crucial ingredient for our homemade caramel sauce. It helps prevent crystallization, ensuring your caramel remains smooth, glossy, and beautifully flowing. If you’re short on time, using a high-quality store-bought caramel, like Stonewall Kitchen, is a fantastic shortcut.
• Brown Sugar: I prefer light brown sugar for its mellow molasses notes, which add depth to the cake without overpowering the apple and spice. However, dark brown sugar can also be used for an even richer, more intense flavor. Just ensure it’s packed tightly when measuring.
• Vegetable Oil: This is the secret to an incredibly moist and tender cake. Unlike butter, which can sometimes make cakes denser, vegetable oil contributes a delicate crumb and keeps the cake moist for longer. If vegetable oil isn’t available, any neutral-flavored oil like canola or grapeseed oil will work perfectly.
• Eggs: Always bring your eggs to room temperature a couple of hours before you start baking. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter and a lighter, fluffier cake texture.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: This is vital for the cake’s authentic apple flavor and moisture. Using unsweetened ensures you have full control over the cake’s sweetness, preventing it from becoming overly sugary. It’s a key ingredient for that pure apple essence!
• Apple Cider: Make sure to grab apple cider, not apple juice. Apple cider has a more concentrated, robust apple flavor that truly shines through in the cake. Its slightly tart and earthy notes complement the spices beautifully.
• Cream Cheese: For the frosting, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This is critical for achieving a silky-smooth, lump-free frosting that spreads beautifully. Cold cream cheese will result in a chunky, uneven frosting, no matter how much you beat it.
• Spices (Cinnamon & Nutmeg): These classic fall spices are essential for creating that comforting, aromatic apple pie-like flavor in the cake. They enhance the apple notes and add a delightful warmth.

Expert Tips for Baking the Best Caramel Apple Cake

Baking can be an art, and sometimes a few expert tips can make all the difference. When preparing your cake batter, caramel sauce, and cream cheese frosting, certain steps are key to ensuring a perfect result. For a complete, step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the instructions in the recipe card below! Here are some crucial pointers:

• Prepare Your Pan Properly: Always use a 9×13-inch metal baking pan. Lining it with parchment paper is essential for easy cake removal and minimizes cleanup. A light spray of non-stick oil over the parchment paper provides extra insurance against sticking.
• Achieve Room Temperature Ingredients: This tip cannot be stressed enough! Ensuring that your eggs, applesauce, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature allows them to emulsify correctly, resulting in a smooth, well-mixed batter and a creamy, lump-free frosting. Plan ahead by taking them out of the refrigerator a few hours before you begin.
• Sift Your Powdered Sugar: When making the cream cheese frosting, always sift the powdered sugar. This simple step eliminates any lumps, guaranteeing a silky-smooth, professional-looking frosting that’s a dream to spread.
• Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until they are just incorporated. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a dense, tough cake. A light hand will ensure a tender, moist crumb.
• Ensure Even Batter Distribution: After pouring the batter into your prepared pan, use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to gently spread it evenly. This helps the cake bake uniformly, preventing uneven doming or dry spots.
• Trust the Toothpick Test: To accurately check if your cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. If it comes out completely clean, the cake might be slightly overbaked.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience is a virtue in baking! Allow the cake to cool entirely in its pan on a wire rack before attempting to remove or frost it. A warm cake will melt your frosting and compromise its structure.
• Mastering the Caramel Sauce: When making the caramel, once the sugar mixture begins to boil, resist the urge to stir it. Stirring can introduce sugar crystals back into the mixture, leading to a grainy, crystallized caramel. Gently swirl the pan if needed, but no stirring!
• Swirl the Caramel Artfully: After frosting your cooled cake, gently dollop the caramel sauce over the top. Then, use a knife or a skewer to create beautiful, decorative swirls. This not only looks stunning but also ensures a delightful mix of flavors in every slice.
• Serve at Room Temperature: While the cake stores well in the refrigerator, letting it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving will allow the flavors to truly blossom and the texture to soften to its optimal state.

What You’ll Need in Your Kitchen (Essential Tools)

Ever wondered which tools are truly essential for baking success? Let me help you set yourself up for making this delightful Caramel Apple Cake! Below, I’ve listed everything I used to achieve perfect results, along with a brief explanation of why each item is helpful:

• 9×13-inch Metal Baking Pan: This is the ideal size for a sheet cake, ensuring even baking and a good serving yield for gatherings. Metal pans conduct heat efficiently, promoting a beautifully golden crust.
• Parchment Paper: Absolutely indispensable for lining your baking pan. It guarantees easy removal of the cake, prevents sticking, and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Mixing Bowls (various sizes): You’ll need at least two – one for your dry ingredients and another, larger one for the wet ingredients and combining the batter. Separate bowls streamline the process and prevent overmixing.
• Electric Mixer (Stand or Handheld): A powerful tool for beating butter and sugar, whipping frosting, and combining ingredients efficiently. A stand mixer provides hands-free convenience, while a handheld offers flexibility.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy is key in baking! Having a full set for both dry and liquid ingredients ensures your recipe turns out perfectly every time.
• Medium-Sized Saucepan: Essential for making the homemade caramel sauce. A heavy-bottomed pan is best to prevent scorching and ensure even heating.
• Rubber Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Perfect for scraping down the sides of mixing bowls, folding ingredients, and gently incorporating mixtures without overworking them.
• Offset Spatula: Your best friend for frosting cakes! Its angled blade allows for smooth, even spreading of the cream cheese frosting and creates those beautiful caramel swirls with precision.

Frequently Asked Questions About Caramel Apple Cake

Here are answers to some common questions that might pop up while you’re baking and enjoying your delicious Caramel Apple Cake:

• Is it okay to use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making it from scratch?

  Absolutely! While homemade caramel is a rewarding experience, using a high-quality store-bought caramel sauce is a fantastic time-saving option. It will still yield a delicious cake and is perfect for busy bakers. Just make sure it’s a good quality, thick caramel.

• Can I make the cake ahead of time?

  Yes, this cake is excellent for making in advance! You can bake the cake layers a day ahead. Once completely cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Prepare the caramel and frosting on the day of serving, then assemble just before your event for the freshest taste and texture.

• What should I do if my caramel crystallizes or turns grainy?

  Crystallization can happen if sugar crystals are introduced during the boiling process or if the sugar isn’t fully dissolved. If your caramel crystallizes, don’t despair! Try adding a tablespoon or two of hot water and gently reheating it over low heat, without stirring, to help dissolve the sugar crystals again. Be patient, and it often smooths out.

• How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?

  The best way is to thoroughly prepare your pan. Always use parchment paper to line the bottom of your 9×13 metal pan, extending it up the sides slightly to create “handles.” Then, generously spray both the pan and the parchment paper with non-stick spray. This double layer of protection ensures easy, clean removal.

• Can I add fresh apples to this cake?

  While this recipe focuses on applesauce and apple cider for moistness and flavor, you can absolutely add finely diced fresh apples for extra texture and an even more pronounced apple presence! Aim for about 1 cup of peeled, finely diced apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) folded into the batter just before pouring it into the pan.

• What are some serving suggestions for this cake?

  This Caramel Apple Cake is fantastic on its own! However, you can elevate it further with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or an extra drizzle of that delicious salted caramel sauce right before serving. A light dusting of cinnamon or chopped pecans also makes a lovely garnish.

Storing Your Caramel Apple Cake

Proper storage is key to enjoying your Caramel Apple Cake for days to come. If you plan to consume the cake within one to two days and it has cream cheese frosting, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator. Place it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors from the fridge. For optimal taste and texture, always bring the cake to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. If the cake is unfrosted or only has a caramel glaze without dairy, it can be stored at room temperature, well-covered, for up to 2 days.

Freezing Your Caramel Apple Cake for Later

This delicious Caramel Apple Cake freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or saving leftovers for a future treat. To freeze a frosted cake, first, flash freeze it uncovered on a baking sheet for about an hour, or until the frosting is completely firm. This step prevents the frosting from sticking to the wrapping. Once firm, wrap the cake tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Alternatively, place the flash-frozen cake into an airtight, freezer-safe container. Label it with the date, and freeze for up to three months. To thaw, simply transfer the cake to the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, allow it to come to room temperature for about an hour before serving to ensure the best flavor and texture, especially for the cream cheese frosting.

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Recipe

Caramel Apple Cake

Molly Murphy

A heavenly dessert, featuring moist apple-spiced layers, a swirl of a salted caramel sauce, and creamy cream cheese frosting.

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Course
Dessert

Cuisine
American

Servings

24
Squares

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1
  cup
  granulated sugar
• 1
  cup
  brown sugar
  packed
• 1
  cup
  vegetable oil
• 4
  eggs
  at room temperature
• 1
  cup
  unsweetened applesauce
  at room temperature
• 1
  cup
  apple cider
  at room temperature
• 1
  teaspoon
  vanilla extract
• 3
  cups
  all-purpose flour
• 1
  teaspoon
  ground cinnamon
• ¼
  teaspoon
  nutmeg
• 1
  teaspoon
  salt
• 1
  tablespoon
  baking powder

For the Caramel Sauce:

• 1
  cup
  granulated sugar
• ¼
  cup
  water
• 3
  tablespoons
  light corn syrup
• ¾
  cup
  heavy cream
• 2
  teaspoons
  pure vanilla extract
• 1
  teaspoon
  salt
• 3
  tablespoons
  butter

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1
  cup
  unsalted butter
  room temperature
• 6
  ounces
  cream cheese
  room temperature
• 4
  cups
  powdered sugar
  measured and then sifted
• ¼
  cup
  heavy whipping cream
• 1
  teaspoon
  vanilla extract
• Pinch
  of salt

Instructions

For the Apple Cake:

• Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius). Spray a 9×13 metal pan with non-stick spray, line the bottom with parchment paper, and spray again. Use metal binder clips to secure the parchment paper, ensuring they are metal and not plastic. Set aside.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder. Set this dry mixture aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Whisk on medium speed for 2 minutes.
• Add the eggs to the sugar mixture and continue to mix on medium speed for an additional 2 minutes. Incorporate the vanilla extract and applesauce on low speed just until combined.
• Gradually, with the mixer on low speed, add ⅓ of the dry flour mixture. Then add half of the apple cider. Mix until nearly combined, and then add another ⅓ of the dry flour mixture and the remaining apple cider. Finally, add the last ⅓ of the flour mixture and mix until no visible streaks of flour remain.
• Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared cake pan. Use the back of a spoon to smooth out the batter for even baking.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the cake; it’s done when it comes out with just a few moist crumbs on it.
• Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Meanwhile, prepare the caramel sauce.

For the Caramel Sauce:

• In a medium-sized saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, and corn syrup. Gently mix together before turning on the heat!
• Over medium heat, bring the sugar mixture to a boil. Initially, bubbles will be fast and small, but as it caramelizes, they will slow down and become larger. Do not stir during this process, as it may cause crystallization.
• Let the mixture boil until it turns golden brown. This may take a few minutes, so keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
• Heat the cream in the microwave for 1 minute.
• Once the caramel achieves a golden brown color, remove it from heat and add the warm cream. Stir until the caramel and cream are thoroughly combined.
• Transfer the caramel mixture to a separate bowl, then add vanilla, salt, and butter. Let it sit until the butter melts, and then stir until well incorporated.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the room-temperature butter and cream cheese. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then beat for an additional 2 minutes.
• On low speed, add the sifted powdered sugar, followed by the cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Use a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon to remove any air pockets by hand for a smooth consistency.

Assembly:

• You can leave the cake in the pan. Once it’s completely cool, frost the cake with the cream cheese frosting.
• Add dollops of caramel sauce to the frosted cake (you’ll only need about half of the caramel; serve the remaining half on the side with each slice).
• Swirl the caramel into the cream cheese buttercream.
• Serve the cake at room temperature.

Keyword
Cake, sheetcake, apple, caramel apple, fall dessert

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