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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- 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.
- Gently incorporate chopped apples and pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture to ensure balanced flavor in each slice.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drizzle the freshly prepared caramel glaze over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the holes and covers the entire surface.
- 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