Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
is a rich, moist dessert bursting with the comforting flavors of fall. This cake combines the sweetness of caramel with the tartness of fresh apples, all baked into a soft and tender sheet cake.
Topped with a luscious caramel glaze, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and spiced flavors. This dessert is perfect for gatherings, autumn celebrations, or when you want a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make yet incredibly satisfying. If you’re not a fan of caramel, don’t worry – the cake itself is delicious enough to stand on its own!
Kitchen Equipment Needed:
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Saucepan
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
For the Caramel Glaze:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Directions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- Make the Caramel Glaze: While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Glaze the Cake: Once the cake has cooled slightly but is still warm, pour the caramel glaze over the top, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
35-40 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour
Nutrition (per serving, based on 12 servings):
- Calories: 410
- Fat: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 240mg
This Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is perfect for cozy evenings or fall gatherings, with its warm apple flavors and irresistible caramel topping. Enjoy a slice with a cup of coffee or serve it as a crowd-pleasing dessert at your next party!
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Saucepan
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups diced apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well
- For the Caramel Glaze:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- Make the Caramel Glaze: While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Glaze the Cake: Once the cake has cooled slightly but is still warm, pour the caramel glaze over the top, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
- Prep Time:
- 20 minutes
- Cook Time:
- 35-40 minutes
- Total Time:
- 1 hour
- Nutrition (per serving, based on 12 servings):
- Calories: 410
- Fat: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 240mg
- This Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is perfect for cozy evenings or fall gatherings, with its warm apple flavors and irresistible caramel topping. Enjoy a slice with a cup of coffee or serve it as a crowd-pleasing dessert at your next party!