Description
Warm spices dance through this irresistible Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze, celebrating classic Southern comfort. Moist layers packed with autumn’s richness drip with buttery caramel, promising pure indulgence you’ll savor to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 3 cups peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith preferred)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Flavor Enhancer:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with grease to prevent sticking.
- Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
- Using an electric mixer, cream eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake.
- Gradually incorporate oil and vanilla into the egg mixture, blending until fully integrated and creating a uniform consistency.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to maintain a tender cake texture.
- Carefully fold chopped apples and pecans into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula to create a smooth top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is fully cooked.
- For the caramel glaze, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, creating a rich base for the sauce.
- Add brown sugar and heavy cream to the melted butter, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, maintaining constant stirring for approximately 2 minutes to develop deep caramel flavors.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, creating a glossy and smooth caramel glaze.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before drizzling the warm caramel glaze over the top, ensuring even coverage.
Notes
- Toast pecans lightly before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch.
- Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version of the cake.
- Reduce sugar content by using applesauce or mashed ripe bananas as a partial sugar substitute for a healthier alternative.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother batter mixing and more even cake texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 292 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 151 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg