Sweet Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Recipe – Homemade Joy

Sweet autumn afternoons call for something special, and this apple pecan cake with caramel glaze delivers pure comfort.

Warm spices and tender apples create a delightful harmony in this Southern-style dessert.

Chopped pecans add a delectable crunch that perfectly complements the soft cake texture.

Each slice brings memories of cozy kitchen moments and cherished family recipes.

The caramel glaze drizzled over the top adds a rich, golden sweetness that transforms this cake into an irresistible treat.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this delightful dessert that promises to become a seasonal favorite.

Serve this cake and watch as smiles light up around the table.

Why Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Is a Showstopper

• Elevate Family Gatherings: This apple pecan cake transforms ordinary dessert time into a special moment, bringing everyone together with its warm, comforting flavors and impressive presentation.
• Foolproof Baking Experience: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, the recipe offers simple steps and forgiving techniques that ensure success, even for novice home cooks looking to create something delicious.
• Seasonal Celebration Delight: Packed with autumn-inspired ingredients like apples, pecans, and warming spices, this cake captures the essence of cozy seasons, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or weekend treats.
• Versatile Dessert Option: Whether served as an after-dinner indulgence, afternoon snack, or potluck contribution, this cake adapts beautifully to different occasions and always receives rave reviews from guests.

What You’ll Need for Apple Cake With Caramel

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft and fine base for the cake's perfect texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Magical rising agents for a fluffy cake.
• Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Warm spices that bring cozy flavor.

• Eggs: Rich protein that helps bind the cake together.
• Vanilla Extract: A sweet and aromatic flavor enhancer.
• Sour Cream: Creamy ingredient that adds moisture and tang.

• Butter: A rich and creamy foundation for the cake.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that provide depth of flavor.
• Apples: Juicy fruit that adds natural sweetness and moisture.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that bring a delightful texture.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Heavy Cream, Vanilla Extract: Smooth and indulgent glaze ingredients that create a luxurious topping.

Baking Instructions for Apple Pecan Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cloves

Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture.

Stir in vanilla extract until well blended.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

Mix in sour cream until the batter looks smooth and creamy.

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture, stirring until just combined.

Step 6: Fold in Fruits and Nuts

• Chopped apples
• Chopped pecans

Ensure even distribution throughout the batter.

Step 7: Bake the Cake

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.

Bake for 45-50 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Create Caramel Glaze

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the mixture boils.

Continue boiling for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 9: Finish with Caramel Glaze

While the cake is still warm, poke multiple holes across the top using a skewer or fork.

Slowly pour the caramel glaze over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Let the cake cool completely before cutting into slices.

Serve and enjoy the rich, moist dessert with its delightful caramel coating.

Tips to Keep Your Apple Cake Moist and Flavorful

• Select sweet-crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor in your cake, ensuring each bite bursts with natural apple goodness.
• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex, rich taste profile.
• Toss chopped apples in a light dusting of flour before folding into the batter to help them distribute evenly and prevent sinking to the bottom of the cake.
• Watch the caramel closely while cooking – it should bubble and thicken but not burn, creating a smooth, glossy topping that perfectly coats the warm cake.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to maintain the cake's tender texture for those with dietary restrictions.

How to Store and Reheat Apple Pecan Cake

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and preserve the cake's soft texture.
• Wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For best results, use low power to prevent drying out. Alternatively, warm in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes.
• If the caramel glaze hardens, gently reheat a small amount of extra glaze and drizzle over the cake slices to restore moisture and flavor.

Perfect Matches for This Glazed Apple Cake

• Pair Warm Spiced Wine: Complement the cake's autumnal flavors with a mulled wine featuring cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest for a cozy drinking experience.
• Classic Coffee Match: Serve a medium-roast Colombian coffee with hints of caramel and nutty undertones that beautifully echo the cake's rich pecans and sweet caramel glaze.
• Bourbon Vanilla Delight: Select a smooth bourbon with vanilla notes that harmonize with the cake's warm spices and enhance its deep caramel undertones.
• Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Top the warm cake with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that melts luxuriously against the spiced cake.

Apple Cake Twists That Add Even More Flavor

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and sour cream with coconut yogurt. Use plant-based caramel glaze made from coconut cream and maple syrup.
• Nut-Free Option: Remove pecans completely or replace with sunflower seeds for crunch. Keep all other recipe ingredients and techniques the same.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, reduce brown sugar quantity, and swap caramel glaze with a lighter cream cheese drizzle made with Greek yogurt and minimal sweetener.

FAQs

• What's the secret to getting the best texture in this apple pecan cake?

The key is not overmixing the batter. Gently fold in the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake instead of a tender, moist one.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes! Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These varieties hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.

• How do I know if the pecans are properly incorporated into the cake?

Toast the pecans lightly before adding them to enhance their flavor. Roughly chop them and fold gently into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the cake for the best texture and taste.

• Is it important to poke holes in the cake before adding the caramel glaze?

Absolutely! Poking holes allows the warm caramel glaze to penetrate deeper into the cake, creating a more moist and flavorful dessert that’s rich and decadent throughout.

Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Indulgent apple pecan cake with caramel glaze promises a delightful journey through sweet autumn flavors. Rich layers of spiced cake showcase perfectly balanced textures that invite warm comfort and pure culinary bliss you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith recommended)
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Wet and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light grease and flour coating.
2. Create a dry ingredient mixture by combining flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a medium mixing bowl, then set aside.
3. Cream the butter with granulated and brown sugars in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth base for the cake.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
5. Introduce sour cream to the wet ingredients, mixing until a uniform consistency is achieved, then gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture, stirring minimally to maintain cake’s delicate texture.
6. Gently incorporate chopped apples and pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture to ensure balanced flavor in each slice.
7. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly, and place in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges clean.
8. While the cake bakes, prepare the caramel glaze by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then adding brown sugar and heavy cream.
9. Stir the caramel mixture continuously until it reaches a boiling point, maintaining the boil for exactly one minute, then remove from heat and blend in vanilla extract.
10. Once the cake emerges from the oven, use a skewer or fork to create multiple perforations across the warm surface, allowing the caramel glaze to penetrate deeply.
11. Drizzle the freshly prepared caramel glaze over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes and covers the entire surface.
12. Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the glaze set and intensifies the overall flavor profile before serving.

Notes

• Swap ingredients for dietary needs by using gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for a low-carb version.
• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the cake’s texture.
• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness that cuts through the rich caramel glaze.
• Create a dairy-free alternative by substituting butter with coconut oil and using dairy-free cream in the caramel sauce.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 372
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 47 mg