### Introduction
As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, nothing is more comforting than a slice of homemade caramel apple cake. This irresistible dessert blends moist layers of spiced apple cake with creamy caramel, creating a delicious balance of flavors that captures the essence of fall. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, this cake is sure to delight your family and friends.
### Ingredients
**For the Apple Cake:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup applesauce
– 2 large eggs
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 2 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
**For the Caramel Sauce:**
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Pinch of salt
**For Garnish:**
– Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional)
– Additional diced apples or caramel drizzle
### Instructions
1. **Preheat Oven**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. **Prepare Dry Ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugars**: In another bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. **Add Wet Ingredients**: Mix in the applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. **Combine Mixtures**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
6. **Fold in Apples**: Gently fold the diced apples into the batter.
7. **Bake the Cake**: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan(s) and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes for round pans or 35-40 minutes for a rectangular pan, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. **Cool the Cake**: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. **Make Caramel Sauce**: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and butter. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and begins to boil. Let it boil without stirring for about 4-5 minutes, until it turns a golden amber color. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly.
10. **Assemble the Cake**: If using round cakes, place one layer on a serving plate, drizzle some caramel sauce over it, and then place the second layer on top. If using a rectangular cake, drizzle the caramel directly over the top after it has cooled.
11. **Serve**: Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top before serving.
### Tips
– For a little extra crunch, add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the batter.
– If you prefer a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of bourbon to the caramel sauce.
– To make it even more festive, try adding dried cranberries or raisins to the cake mixture.
– Make sure to store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
### Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of your caramel apple cake warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced cider or a rich cup of coffee, making it the perfect treat for fall gatherings or cozy evenings at home. For an elegant touch, garnish each plate with a few slices of fresh apple and an extra drizzle of caramel.
fall dessert, caramel apple, homemade cake