Caramel Apple Cake

October 12th, 2012

This is a very simple and moist apple cake with a caramel glaze on top.  I saw the recipe on Pinterest and it appealed to my autumnal senses.  I made it even easier by using a prepared caramel sauce from William Sonoma on the top.

Holes are poked in the top to let the caramel sauce soak in.  My only criticism of the cake is that it is almost too sweet.  But it is my understanding that the original recipe came from Paula Deen, which might explain that.

We have company this weekend and I have been busy cooking.  I’m thinking this will be good with a scoop of ice cream.  We are looking forward to a weekend of riding motorcycles on The Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy the beauty of the season.  This and a succulent beef brisket will be nice to have when we get home.  More about that beef brisket later.

CARAMEL APPLE CAKE (adapted from The Charm of Home)

2 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups diced apples
1 cup chopped walnuts

Caramel Topping:
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter and flour a 13×9-inch pan.

Place sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix until mixture is light and fluffy.  Combine flour, cinnamon and salt and slowly add to sugar mixture until well combines.  Stir in apples and walnuts.  Pour batter into baking pan.  Bake for 45 to 60 minutes.  Poke holes in warm cake and pour caramel sauce over top.

Caramel Sauce:  In a saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and milk.  Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.  If you are in a hurry you can use a purchased caramel sauce. (About 1 cup).

Printable recipe

15 responses to “Caramel Apple Cake”

  1. Susan says:

    Looks just like a fall dessert should. Looking forward to that brisket recipe. Enjoy your ride in that beautiful part of our country.

  2. bellini says:

    Oh this is very, very tempting. I picked a few apples oer the season and they are just waiting for their moment to shine. Pinterest has so many fabulous ideas.

  3. It looks yummy! Have fun with your company!

  4. Bonnie says:

    What a fun weekend. Anyone would love to come home from a brisk fall ride to that dessert. Beautiful photos.

  5. Kate says:

    Mmmmm….this looks wonderful. I love apple cakes and I am going to have to make one! It is fall, after all…

  6. I just saw my first ever Paula Deen dvd (she is not known in Europe and I watched a dvd an American friend lent to me) and couldn’t believe what I saw! If I would ever cook one of her recipes I think I would halve all sugar and fat measures. Saying that, your cake does look very tempting!

  7. Karen says:

    This looks sooo good… I think I’m going to make it for Thanksgiving dessert, to replace one of the traditional pies, just to give it a twist. Do you think there is a way to safely unsweeten it just a little?

    • Penny says:

      I’m thinking 2 cups of sugar is enough or maybe one cup of white sugar and one cup of brown sugar. I would give it a dry run before Thanksgiving, but it is worth experimenting on. Let me know if you come up with a better recipe Karen.

  8. Have fun on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A slice of this cake is perfect after the ride.
    Sam

  9. Now, you’ve gone and done it!!! I want a big chunk of that apple cake.

  10. OMG! It looks amazing! I will try it! If it will be half as delicious as it looks on the pics, my family will be very happy tomorrow : )

  11. Barb Bobik says:

    Hard to veer away from your original Mountain Apple cake, but this does look tempting & if I don’t give it a try, surely Morgan will! Any particular kind of apple to use? Won’t matter as we don’t have any apples in the area this year – bummer. Will have to be store bought. Looks yummy though. Thanks again for a great recipe

  12. Pondside says:

    That looks so good! I wonder if the homemade sauce might make it taste less sweet – probably not, but I could rationalize it to myself!

  13. Suzan says:

    Just discovered your blog…what a delight for the eyes, so lovely (not to mention the great recipes). It’s winter-time so spending more time indoors is good motivation to try some of them. I loved reading about your cottage at the lake and how you’re spending your retirement. We recently purchased a cottage and that’s my dream, to spend at least most of the good weather time there and a dream kitchen is also on the list. I look forward to popping in here to see what else you’re up to!

    • Penny says:

      Thanks for the kind words Suzan. We are enjoying our retirement. Hope you enjoy your cottage and the kitchen as much as we have. Enjoy the recipes.

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