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The Best Caramel Apple Cake

Soft & Fluffy Caramel Apple Cake

This melt-in-your-mouth Caramel Apple Cake features a moist, spiced apple sponge topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and a luxurious salted caramel swirl. The perfect autumn dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Moist Apple Cake
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups apples Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and chopped small
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping
  • 0.5 cup salted caramel sauce homemade or store-bought

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan generously with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula until just combined. The batter will be thick.
  5. Fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed in the batter.
  6. Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  8. Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy.
  9. Spread frosting over the cooled cake. Drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce before serving.

Notes

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese and butter are fully at room temperature before mixing the frosting to avoid lumps.
Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before eating for the best texture.