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Caramel Apple Cake

Caramel apple cake with moist golden cake layers and a creamy caramel cream cheese frosting. Baked until a toothpick comes out clean, then frosted between layers and finished with a caramel drizzle.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cake
  • 2.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 lb butter, softened
  • 1.5 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cup apples, finely diced
For caramel cream cheese frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 0.25 cup butter
  • 0.25 cup caramel sauce
  • 3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
Extra
  • 0.25 cup caramel sauce

Equipment

  • 2 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the cake
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round pans so the batter releases easily after baking.
  2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leaveners.
  3. Beat the softened butter and brown sugar until very fluffy, then add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.
  4. Alternate adding the flour mixture and sour cream, folding just until combined so the cake stays tender.
  5. Fold in the finely diced apples and stop mixing when no dry flour remains.
  6. Divide the batter between the two pans and bake for 50–55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool the cakes completely before frosting so the caramel cream cheese frosting won’t melt or slide.
Make the caramel cream cheese frosting
  1. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add caramel sauce and vanilla and mix until uniform.
  2. Beat in the powdered sugar until the frosting turns thick, smooth, and spreadable.
Assemble
  1. Frost between the cake layers and cover the top with frosting for a thick, even coat.
  2. Drizzle extra caramel over the top so each slice shows a glossy caramel finish.

Notes

Pro tip: dice the apples small for even pockets of flavor throughout the crumb. Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days; freezing is not recommended because the frosting texture can change. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and light butter to keep the frosting creamy with less saturated fat.