Bake up a slice of autumn bliss with my homemade caramel apple spice cake! It’s all about embracing those cozy fall vibes, thanks to the magic trio of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Ready to give it a whirl? Let’s get baking!
Get ready to dive into the cozy flavors of autumn with this mouthwatering Caramel Apple Spice Cake recipe. This dessert is a total flavor fusion, blending the comforting warmth of spiced apple cake with the irresistible sweetness of caramel buttercream. It’s basically fall on a plate, and the perfect go-to treat for those chilly evenings, cozy gatherings, or any time you’re craving something indulgent.
You don’t need to be a baking pro to nail this one. I’ve got step-by-step instructions that practically hold your hand throughout the process. So, roll up those sleeves, tie on that apron, and let’s bake up some serious fall deliciousness. Your taste buds are about to throw a party!
What’s in a Spice Cake?
So, what’s in a spice cake? Well, my fellow bakers, it’s all about those fantastic spices that make it a delightful treat. Just think of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves teaming up to create a flavor that’s like a warm, spicy hug for your taste buds. These spices are the real MVPs in your spice cake recipe, bringing the perfect balance of sweet, warm, and a touch of earthy goodness. Trust me, they’re the secret sauce that makes every slice pure comfort on a plate.
Ingredients and Kitchen Tools
Before diving headfirst into baking this heavenly Caramel Apple Spice Cake, let’s make sure we’ve got everything we need to whip up this scrumptious masterpiece. The good news? You won’t need fancy gadgets or rare ingredients – just some kitchen basics and a dash of enthusiasm!
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make Caramel Apple Spice Cake:
For the apple spice cake:
-
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the cake’s structure and texture.
- Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent to help the cake rise.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Ginger: Infuse the cake with warm, aromatic spices for that delightful fall flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
- Vegetable Oil: Further contributes to the cake’s moisture and texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with its tenderness.
- Apple Sauce: Imparts natural apple flavor and keeps the cake moist.
- Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with a hint of vanilla.
- Milk: Adds moisture and contributes to the cake’s tenderness.
- Chopped Apples: Incorporates juicy, tender apple bits throughout the cake for a burst of fruity goodness.
For the caramel buttercream:
- Unsalted Butter: Forms the base of the creamy, rich frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: Provides a subtle vanilla flavor to complement the caramel.
- Caramel Sauce: Infuses the frosting with sweet, caramel goodness.
- Cinnamon: Adds a touch of warmth and spice to the buttercream.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to a perfect, spreadable consistency.
Kitchen tools:
You’ll also need these kitchen tools to make creating your Caramel Apple Spice Cake a breeze.
- Mixing Bowls: Multiple mixing bowls in various sizes are essential for combining ingredients and preparing the cake batter.
- Electric Mixer: A hand-held or stand mixer is crucial for beating the wet ingredients, ensuring a smooth and well-mixed cake batter.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Use these to accurately measure dry and wet ingredients, ensuring precision in your recipe.
- Spatula: A rubber spatula helps scrape down the sides of bowls and fold in chopped apples without overmixing.
- Cake Pans: Four 8-inch round cake pans are needed to bake the cake layers. Ensure they are greased and lined with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Toothpick: This simple tool checks the doneness of the cake layers; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs when inserted into the center.
- Serrated Knife: A large serrated knife is essential for leveling the cake layers to create a flat surface for stacking.
- Icing Spatula: An offset icing spatula helps apply the buttercream evenly and achieve a smooth finish on the cake’s surface.
How to Make the BEST Caramel Apple Spice Cake
To whip up this mouthwatering Caramel Apple Spice Cake, just follow these step-by-step directions:
For the Cake Batter:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease four 8-inch round cake pans and set them aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, vegetable oil, applesauce, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth. Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until everything is thoroughly combined.
5. Gently fold in the chopped apples.
6. Divide the cake batter evenly into the four prepared cake pans.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean.
8. Allow the cakes to cool completely while you prepare the buttercream.
For the Buttercream:
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, vanilla extract, caramel sauce, and cinnamon until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, continuing to beat until it’s thoroughly combined with the other ingredients.
To Assemble:
3. Level the cooled cakes using a large serrated knife to create a flat surface.
4. Stack the cakes, adding a layer of buttercream between each cake layer.
5. Use a large icing spatula to spread a thin, even layer of buttercream on top of and around the cake. This creates a crumb coat.
6. Place the cake in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
7. Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.
8. If desired, decorate with a caramel sauce and apple slices.
Slice, serve, and enjoy your Caramel Apple Spice Cake!
Tips and Tricks
So, what’s the secret to making this Caramel Apple Spice Cake truly amazing? Well, friends, after some trial and error, I’ve found a few fantastic tips and tricks that I just had to share! Let’s dive into these game-changing ideas for the BEST Caramel Apple Spice Cake!
1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Before you start, ensure that ingredients like butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps in achieving a smooth batter and even baking.
2. Measure Precisely: Accurate measurements are crucial in baking. Use measuring cups and spoons, and level off dry ingredients for precise results.
3. Mix Spices Separately: Whisking the spices separately in a bowl before adding them to the dry ingredients ensures an even distribution of those cozy autumn flavors throughout the cake.
4. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: When combining the dry mixture with the wet ingredients, alternate between the two, starting and ending with the dry mixture. This gradual incorporation prevents overmixing and leads to a tender cake.
5. Fold in Apples Gently: Use a gentle touch when folding in the chopped apples. Overmixing can lead to a tough texture, so fold them until evenly distributed.
6. Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the cakes as they bake. Ovens can vary, so check for doneness with a toothpick. When inserted into the center, it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool Completely: Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and ensures a beautifully layered cake.
8. Level the Cakes: Leveling the cakes with a serrated knife ensures a flat surface for stacking and decorating.
9. The Crumb Coat: Don’t skip the crumb coat step! It helps seal in any loose cake crumbs and gives you a smooth surface to work with when applying the final layer of frosting.
10. Decorate Creatively: Feel free to let your creativity shine when decorating. Drizzle some extra caramel and add apple slices for that picture-perfect finish.
11. Chill Before Serving: Allow the cake to chill in the refrigerator for a little while before serving for the best flavor and texture. It’s worth the wait!
So there you are, my baking friends! Sharing this sweet Caramel Apple Spice Cake recipe with you has been a blast. But now, it’s your turn to put on your baking hat and whisk up some magic in the kitchen. Trust me, the cinnamon aroma and caramel indulgence will make your place feel like a cozy autumn wonderland!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients, follow the recipe, and let’s create dessert dreams that’ll have your taste buds dancing. And hey, remember to let me know how it turns out! Happy baking, my friends!
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Try these other delicious dessert recipes!
- Easy Caramel Slice Recipe
- Pumpkin Dump Cake – Easy and Delicious!
- Caramel Crunch Pumpkin Ice Cream
- Pumpkin S’mores Cheesecake Bars
I hope you like my recipe for caramel apple spice cake– be sure to give it a review below!
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Print
The BEST Caramel Apple Spice Cake
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 51 minute
- Yield: 9 slices 1x
Description
Bake up a slice of autumn bliss with my homemade caramel apple spice cake! It’s all about embracing those cozy fall vibes, thanks to the magic trio of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Ready to give it a whirl? Let’s get baking!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
2 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
1⁄2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
For the caramel buttercream
2 cups unsalted butter, softened 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1⁄2 cup caramel sauce
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups powdered sugar
Decoration
Extra caramel for dripping apple slices
Instructions
For the Cake Batter:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease four 8-inch round cake pans and set them aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, vegetable oil, applesauce, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth. Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until everything is thoroughly combined. Gently fold in the chopped apples.
- Divide the cake batter evenly into the four prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool completely while you prepare the buttercream.
For the Buttercream:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, vanilla extract, caramel sauce, and cinnamon until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, continuing to beat until it’s thoroughly combined with the other ingredients.
To Assemble:
- Level the cooled cakes using a large serrated knife to create a flat surface.
- Stack the cakes, adding a layer of buttercream between each cake layer.
- Use a large icing spatula to spread a thin, even layer of buttercream on top of and around the cake. This creates a crumb coat.
- Place the cake in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
- Frost the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.
- If desired, decorate with a caramel drip and apple slices.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy your Caramel Apple Spice Cake!
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel apple spice cake, apple caramel spice cake
LOVE THIS CARAMEL APPLE SPICE CAKE RECIPE? PIN IT HERE!
A former school teacher, Jocelyn Brown created Hip Mama’s Place in 2007. Her motto for this blog is: get inspired, create and share! Jocelyn loves sharing about food and recipes, crafts, DIY projects and her random travels with her family. She also loves all things social media, but her latest obsession is Instagram.
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Absolutely incredible! Your caramel apple spice cake is pure magic. I’m not a big cook, but your recipe was so easy to follow. The aroma alone was heavenly. Even though I didn’t make it, I’m basking in the delicious aftermath. Thanks for sharing this gem!
★★★★★
I’ve been craving cake since yesterday. I would love to have a slice of this right about now. Yum!
This cake looks amazing. It’s been so long since I’ve done any baking. I’ll have to try this recipe.
Oh, I love this recipe! It’s probably too much carbs for me, but I love them anyway.
This looks amazing, I will have to try making it for our annual Christmas party. Thanks for sharing
What an interesting cake and would love to give this a try. Never tried a caramel apple spice cake before so that’s a first.
★★★★★
Nnnniiicccceeeee….apple and cinnamon in one? I am so in for this cake. All the ingredients needed are within my reach. I look forward to trying it out.
OMG! This looks really delicious. I am not sure if I have the skills to make a delicious and pretty cake like this but I would love to try. Thank you for shairng the recipe. Love how you added fresh apples at the top.
Ok, this looks so good, and love that I can make it at home. Because my partner and I looking for things to cook together.
★★★★★
Another amazing food blog and food blogger. You all are so talented! Also, I would try this cake in heart beat!
★★★★★
That cake is so pretty, and so delicious! I love all the ingredients! It’s perfect for fall.
★★★★★
I am drooling over this caramel apple cake! It has al the flavors that I go crazy!
★★★★★
This looks absolutely amazing. I must have the husband make this for the holiday!
★★★★★
Another drool-worthy beautiful delish recipe from you.. I think with the apples we have, we should try this soon!
I love the sound of these cakes. Those chunks of apples in the cakes make them more delicious. I must try this for my family.
This cake is so pretty, and so delicious! It’s perfect for the flavors of fall.
★★★★★
The recipe for this caramel apple spice cake is so delicious and easy to make, thank you so much for the good recipe
★★★★★
This cake looks incredible for sure! This would be perfect to whip out on Thanksgiving and met family would for sure be blown away as its a masterpiece!
★★★★★
I really like caramel flavor foods. But this is the first time I knew that caramel and apple can be combined. I’ll surely try this. Thanks for the recipe and instructions!
thats a nice simple steps, i cant wait to try this apple cake.
OmGoodness!! I want to try this. It looks delish.
Such a pretty cake. The flavors sound so good as a cake.
That caramel buttercream looks amazing! What an awesome combination of apples and caramel. I like that the frosting is flavored as well – too many cakes out there with plain frosting.
Oh my! The homemade caramel apple spice cake is so gorgeous! Thank you so much for the easy to follow instructions – I can’t wait to make it!
★★★★★
I love apple anything and the fact that this cake has apple chunks in it. It looks amazing!
WOW! I’m definitely making this for our Thanksgiving gathering. It’s so beautiful, and it sounds delicious.
★★★★★
I just love apple desserts. This cake looks incredible. I’ll be making it soon.
This caramel apple spice cake recipe is pure magic! The flavors are heavenly, and the instructions are spot-on. It’s become a family favorite. Thanks for sharing this delightful dessert idea!
Girl this cake is stunning! I mean look at it! It is so delicious looking and I am pinning it to try and make this Fall Season. My mom would go wild for this one!
This recipe looks so delicious! This will be on my list of things to try in the future.
★★★★★
WOW, autumn is here already? I even didn’t notice it this year. In this case it’s time for a proper caramel apple spice cake. Thanks!
As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for delicious treats to delight my family, and this one looks absolutely scrumptious.
This cake looks delicious! I want to make this for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Oh my goodness. This is sensational. A definite crowd pleaser. Will be perfect for high tea
★★★★★
Yummy cake! It looks great too. We are going apple picking this weekend and maybe we will try this recipe after. Thank you for sharing.
★★★★★
This is just the kind of recipe I like to make when the weather starts to get a chill. It’s sure pretty too.
This caramel apple spice cake recipe is a true winner! It’s incredibly delicious, and your detailed instructions made it a breeze to bake. Thanks for sharing this delightful treat – it’s become a family favorite in no time!
★★★★★
I really need to make this spice cake, it looks so decadent and like it would go well with a warm drink!
OMG!! This cake looks delicious, I need to try out this recipe and I hope it comes out like yours. A slice and a cup of tea would be up my alley…lol
★★★★★
This looks gorgeous! I could never hope to make this right, I’m a terrible baker, but it would be lovely to present this at an upcoming Halloween party!
This looks like a tasty recipe. I’ll add it to my recipe book.
Wow, this looks so good. I will definitely have to try this. Sounds like a really delicious cake.
This is such a inviting cake for the fall season. Blends of spices and creamy caramel – who could pass on this!?
★★★★★
Yum! This cake looks so good. Caramel and apple are such a delicious combination of flavors!
★★★★★
This cake looks absolutely amazing! I love all those big chunks of apples in there. Yummo!
★★★★★