Cheery Apple Caramel Cake

by Nora Lounibos (she/her)

If anyone is looking for a scrumptious fall bake, one idea is a tasty apple cake with caramel sauce. This simple treat is the epitome of autumnal flavors, making it perfect for the fall season.

Find the ripest, most flavorful apples possible, such as jonagold, honey crisp and pink ladies, as they are the star of the show; peel and set them aside. Next, make the batter. Fold the apples into the batter and scoop the mixture into your prepared baking dish, which should be buttered and floured to avoid the cake sticking after baking. Bake the cake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the cake is baking, prepare the caramel sauce. Mix butter, brown sugar, evaporated milk, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt in a pot over medium heat. Stir the contents until they are combined and reach the desired consistency: thick but pourable. Once the cake has cooled, pour the sauce over it and it is ready to be eaten!

This delicious cake is a great way to showcase fresh fall apples. It can be delightful plain, but the smooth and sweet caramel sauce adds a new level of flavor and texture that will leave everyone who tries it wanting more.

Apple Cake

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups flour

  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 3 eggs

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) melted unsalted butter

  • 4 apples (granny smith or golden delicious are recommended) peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch pieces

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and butter and flour a 9x13 baking pan.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

  3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar and vanilla extract. Mix in the melted butter.

  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients, and fold in the apples.

  5. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes.

  6. Cool it on a wire rack.

Caramel Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup light-brown sugar

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

  • ¼ cup evaporated milk

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.

  2. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.