Caramel Apple Spice Cake

It’s autumn again, and I’m baking yummy fall treats. I love pumpkin spice recipes as much as the next gal, but I’m offering you another option just in case you’re in the mood to change it up a bit.

Introducing caramel apple spice cake.

This moist apple spice cake is transported to another galaxy of flavor by the addition of caramel in the frosting and drizzled on top.

Easy Step-By-Step Instructions for Caramel Apple Spice Cake

Greased sheet pan
Grease cake pan (sheet pan, 13 x 9 inch pan, or round pans), and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Apple Spice Cake ingredients
In bowl of stand mixer, beat the following for two minutes – 2 cups sugar, ½ cup melted butter (cooled), 2 large eggs (room temperature), and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Scrape sides of bowl frequently.
Adding fresh apples to Apple Spice Cake
Add 1 cup unsweetened applesauce, and beat two minutes more.
Dry ingredients for Apple Spice Cake
In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Mix the dry ingredients and ½ cup buttermilk into applesauce mixture as described, below.
Apple Spice Cake batter in sheet pan
Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake as follows:
Sheet pan 30-40 minutes
13 x 9 inch pan 35-45 minutes
9 inch round pans 30-40 minutes
8 inch round pans 25-35 minutes
Testing Apple Spice Cake for doneness
It’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Caramel Apple Spice Cake
When the cake is ready to frost, combine 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese (softened to room temperature), ½ cup butter (softened to room temperature), 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, ½ caramel sauce, and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract.. Beat until light and fluffy.
You can use store-bought caramel sauce or try this easy and delicious recipe for caramel sauce.
Frosted Apple Spice Cake
Spread on cake, …
Caramel Apple Spice Cake
Drizzle the top with caramel sauce and sprinkle with ¼ cup chopped walnuts, if desired.
Caramel Apple Spice Cake
I like to make caramel apple spice cake in a sheet pan because it’s quick, easy, and versatile. For example: You can cut it into squares and serve single layers like this, or …
Caramel Apple Spice Cake
… stack them up for a more dramatic cake. If you’re going to stack it, I’ve found it works best to wait and add the caramel drizzle and nuts to the top layer only.
Bite of Caramel Apple Spice Cake
ENJOY!

Free Printable Recipe for Caramel Apple Spice Cake

Caramel Apple Spice Cake

Caramel Apple Spice Cake

Ingredients
  

Cake:

  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ cup butter melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup applesauce unsweetened
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup buttermilk

Frosting:

  • 1 package 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ cup butter room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup caramel sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
  • 2 tablespoons caramel sauce for drizzling

Instructions
 

  • Grease cake pan (sheet pan, 13×9 inch pan, or round pans), and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In bowl of stand mixer, beat sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla for two minutes, scaping sides of bowl. Add applesauce and lemon juice, and beat two minutes more.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and whisk completely.
  • Mix into applesauce mixture alternately with buttermilk. Transfer to prepared pan(s) and bake as follows:
  • Sheet pan 30-40 minutes
  • 13 x 9 inch pan 35-45 minutes
  • 9 inch round pans 35-40 minutes
  • 8 inch round pans 35-45 minutes
  • It’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
  • Make the frosting by combining all the ingredients, and beating on high speed until light and fluffy. Spread on cake, drizzle with caramel, and top with walnuts if desired. Refrigerate two hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.