Go Back
–+ servings
Caramel Apple Cake with Apple Cider Frosting | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this heavenly #cake is rich, decadent & divine! It uses #caramel sauce in the cake & drizzled over the frosting. Absolutely mouthwatering! #dessert #apple

Caramel Apple Cake with Apple Cider Frosting

Teresa Ambra
Scrumptious applesauce cake that tastes like eating caramel apples! That's because this one has caramel sauce in the batter. Made with a delicious apple cider buttercream frosting. This is perfect for holidays, company and special occasions.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Cakes and Cheesecakes, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 668 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 round 9-inch cake pans
  • 2 large mixing bowls
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

CARAMEL APPLE CAKE:

  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 13/4 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • 11/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 11/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 11/2 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 3/4 cup canola oil or use avocado oil or coconut oil
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3/4 cup caramel sauce homemade or from a jar
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk or soured milk

APPLE CIDER FROSTING

  • 5-6 cups confectioners’ sugar to desired consistency
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened, 1 stick
  • 1/3 cup apple cider or apple juice
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup caramel sauce for garnish
  • 1/2 cup pecan halves for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

CARAMEL APPLE CAKE:

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease and flour three (8 or 9 inch) round cake pans and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil, applesauce, caramel sauce, vanilla, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and buttermilk together with an electric mixer until well combined, about 30 seconds.
  • Add wheat flour and unbleached all purpose flour and stir (DO NOT MIX WITH MIXER) until well combined.
  • (Over stirring with an electric mixer causes a tough cake).
  • Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of each cake comes out clean, about 30-40 minutes.
  • Cool cakes completely before spreading with frosting.

APPLE CIDER FROSTING:

  • Put powdered sugar, butter, apple cider, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
  • Arrange one cake on a large plate and spread about 1 cup of the frosting evenly over the top.
  • Arrange second cake on top then spread another cup of frosting over top of the second later.
  • Secure layers with toothpicks.
  • Frost top and sides of entire cake with remaining frosting.
  • Drizzle caramel sauce over top of cake.
  • Place pecan halves in the center of the cake and around the edge for decoration.
  • Makes a 3-layer, 8-9 inch round cake.

Notes

Recipe source: adapted from Whole Foods Market.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 668kcalCarbohydrates: 157gProtein: 7gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 730mgPotassium: 272mgFiber: 4gSugar: 84gVitamin A: 290IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 188mgIron: 3mg
Keyword apples, cake, dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!