Sweet Apple & Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Recipe: Fall Bliss

Decadent desserts often tell stories of comfort and tradition, and this apple pecan caramel glaze cake weaves a delightful narrative of sweetness.

Seasonal apples and toasted pecans create a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

The gentle warmth of cinnamon dances through each tender crumb, promising a slice of pure indulgence.

Layers of rich, moist cake invite you to savor every single bite.

caramel glaze cascades over the top, adding a luxurious golden sheen that beckons dessert lovers.

Crafted with simple ingredients and a touch of love, this cake transforms an ordinary moment into something extraordinary.

Dive into this irresistible treat that celebrates the best of autumn’s bounty.

How to Bake Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Oven Preparation

Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with grease and flour to ensure smooth cake removal.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a mixing bowl.

• Butter and Sugar Fusion

Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake.

• Egg and Vanilla Integration

Add eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then incorporate vanilla extract for rich flavor depth.

• Moisture and Dry Ingredient Combination

Blend sour cream into the mixture, then gently fold in dry ingredients until just combined to maintain cake’s tender texture.

• Fruit and Nut Incorporation

Softly mix chopped apples and pecans throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution for balanced flavor in every bite.

• Baking Process

Transfer batter to prepared dish, spreading evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Caramel Glaze Creation

Melt butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

• Glaze Application

While cake is warm, poke holes across the surface. Pour caramel glaze, allowing it to seep into the cake for maximum flavor absorption.

• Serving

Allow cake to cool completely. Slice and serve, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Tips to Perfect Apple Pecan Cake Every Time

• Baking Brilliance: Layer extra chopped pecans on top of the glaze for a crunchy, decorative finish that adds texture and visual appeal.
• Seasonal Swap: Replace apples with pears during autumn or use fresh seasonal fruits like berries in summer for a delightful flavor twist.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness without losing moisture.
• Spice Adventure: Experiment with additional warm spices like ginger or cardamom to create a more complex, deeper flavor profile that complements the apples and pecans.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to maintain the cake's perfect texture and structure.

Serving Suggestions for Apple Pecan Cake

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair this warm, spiced cake with a steaming mug of rich coffee or chai tea for a delightful afternoon treat that highlights the cake's aromatic flavors.
• Holiday Dessert Centerpiece: Serve this elegant apple pecan cake as a stunning finale to your family gathering, garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a few whole pecans for extra visual appeal.
• Ice Cream Dream: Top a slice with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold, creamy sweetness mingle with the warm, caramel-soaked cake for a luxurious dessert experience that balances temperatures and textures.
• Breakfast Indulgence: Transform leftover cake into a decadent morning treat by gently warming a slice and pairing it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of extra caramel sauce for a weekend breakfast that feels like a special occasion.

Keep Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Fresh

• Tasty Slice Storage: Keep cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days in an airtight container, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Extend cake's life by storing in refrigerator for up to 7 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain delicious texture.
• Freezing Technique: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap securely in plastic and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for convenient grab-and-go dessert enjoyment.
• Room Temperature Tip: Let refrigerated or frozen cake sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving to restore optimal softness and bring out rich caramel and apple flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 9

Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze: Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cake ingredients together, choose unbleached flour for best results..
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light texture, ensure it's fresh for maximum effectiveness..
• Baking Powder: Additional leavening agent that gives the cake its fluffy consistency, check expiration date for potency..
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake..
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice that complements the apples perfectly..
• Ground Nutmeg: Brings depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile..
• Ground Cloves: Provides a subtle, intense spice that elevates the cake's taste..

• Butter: Creates richness and moisture, use room temperature for smooth mixing..
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb..
• Brown Sugar: Brings depth of flavor and helps keep the cake moist..
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, use large fresh eggs at room temperature..
• Vanilla Extract: Adds complex flavor and enhances the overall taste of the cake..
• Sour Cream: Creates a tender, moist texture and adds a slight tanginess..
• Heavy Cream: Used in the caramel glaze for smooth, rich consistency..

• Apples: Choose firm, crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and flavor..
• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor, toast briefly for enhanced taste..
• Brown Sugar (for Glaze): Creates rich, cara.

Bakeware and Tools for Apple Pecan Cake

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Helps beat butter, sugar, and eggs to a light, fluffy consistency.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Provides the right size and shape for this delicious cake.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Skewer or fork: Used to create holes for the caramel glaze to seep into the cake.
• Small saucepan: Needed for preparing the rich caramel glaze.
• Spatula: Helps fold in apples and pecans gently and spread batter evenly.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing the center.

Luscious Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade apple pecan cake with caramel glaze combines sweet autumn flavors in a perfect seasonal dessert. Rich layers of spiced cake showcase fresh apples and crunchy pecans, complemented by a silky caramel drizzle you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups (710 ml) peeled and chopped apples (such as Granny Smith)
• 1 cup (150 g) chopped pecans
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 g) packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (220 g) packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with flour to prevent sticking.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until achieving a light, fluffy consistency that promises a tender crumb.
4. Liquid Integration: Blend eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and sour cream until the batter becomes smooth and homogeneous.
5. Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, maintaining a delicate touch to preserve the batter’s airy texture. Carefully fold in chopped apples and pecans, ensuring even distribution throughout.
6. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared dish, spreading evenly. Bake for 45-50 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
7. Caramel Glaze Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Cook for exactly one minute, then remove from heat and incorporate vanilla extract.
8. Glaze Application: While cake is still warm, puncture the surface extensively with a skewer or fork. Generously pour the caramel glaze over the cake, allowing it to seep into the created channels.
9. Serving Suggestion: Allow cake to cool completely before cutting. Enhance the experience by serving with a luxurious scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Notes

• Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to maintain cake’s light, fluffy texture and prevent a dense, tough result.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature for smoother blending and more even baking.
• Precise Apple Preparation: Dice apples uniformly to guarantee consistent moisture and prevent excess liquid in the cake.
• Glaze Timing Matters: Pour caramel glaze while cake is warm to allow maximum absorption and deep flavor penetration.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg