Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

Simple moist Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting. A sheet cake recipe loaded with fresh fall apples and slathered warm caramelized goodness!

Comforting Apple Cake

It’s September 11th, a day of grieving and remembrance in the United States. A day most of us remember distinctly.

We remember who we were with, where we were sitting, the moment we learned planes had crashed into the Twin Towers.

We remember the news footage of terrible scenes that seemed to come from a horror movie, rather than from two of our own great cities.

We remember the voices and faces of those that became heroes that day, willing to give up their own lives for people they had never met.

And we remember the sharp streaks of fear and sadness we felt when we realized many many people, just like us, would not ever see their spouse, child, or friend again.

It’s important to remember.

It’s important to remember for many reasons, but specifically, so we don’t take our lives, families, and nation for granted.

On this day I often go back and watch those horrific news clips. It was a time our country went through terrible tragedy, but showed itself united. A time we let go of petty arguments, and extended a hand to our neighbors. It was a catastrophe that taught us all a lesson or two.

I don’t ever want to let go of those memories because they make us stronger. Better.

When I think back to that day I want to show everyone around me just how much I love them, knowing life is short and precious.

I’m serving an All-American dessert today, because it’s comforting, hearty, and great for sharing.

Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

My Spiced Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting is a classic ultra moist sheet cake recipe made with tart apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

It can be enjoyed on its own, or slathered with a silky luxurious salted caramel frosting, for caramel apple appeal.

Either way, it’s sure to make your friends and family feel loved when you serve it to them.

If you have plans to see family today, why not take a Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting along and spend the day of remembrance together.

Nothing eases old wounds like a piece of cake and a warm hug.

Apple Cake Recipe Ingredients

• Cake flour – This creates a light airy cake texture.
• Baking powder and baking soda – For lift!
• Salt – All baked goods need a little salt.
• Ground cinnamon and nutmeg – To create a rustic cinnamon-apple flavor.
• Unsalted butter – For richness.
• Granulated sugar – To add sweetness.
• Eggs – For binding and lift
• Vanilla extract – For depth of flavor.
• Whole milk – To create a tender texture.
• Green apple – I like to use granny smith apples for their firm texture and perky flavor.

Salted Caramel Frosting

• Brown sugar and water – To create and caramel.
• Heavy cream – To give the caramel a creamy texture.
• Vanilla extract – For a deep well-rounded flavor.
• Salt – To create the salted caramel taste.
• Unsalted butter – To thicken the frosting.
• Powdered sugar – Beat into the mixture to create a fluffy texture.

Get The Full (Printable) Caramel Apple Cake Recipe Below!

More Amazing Fall Cake Recipes

• Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Buttermilk Frosting
• Apple Spiced Coffee Cake
• Chocolate Mint Texas Sheet Cake
• Cinnamon Dolce Latte Cake
• Best Gooey Butter Cake
• Kahlua Coffe Cake
• Nutty Cardamom Bundt Cake

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Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting - A simple moist Apple Spice Cake (sheet cake recipe) topped with rich creamy salted caramel frosting.

Servings: 24 slices

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

For the Apple Cake:

• 3 cups cake flour, or 2 2/3 cup all purpose flour + 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 1/2 cup diced green apple, from 2 large peeled Granny Smiths

For the Salted Caramel Frosting:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

For the Apple Cake:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Scrape the bowl and slowly beat in the eggs and vanilla. Alternate add the flour mixture and milk until the batter is smooth. Then scrape the bowl again and stir in the apple by hand.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared baking dish. Smooth out the top and bake for 40-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.

For the Salted Caramel Frosting:

• While the cake is baking, place the brown sugar and water in a large deep skillet. (You want to have a large heating surface.) Turn on medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir and allow the liquid to bubbly for approximately 5 minutes, until the sugar syrup is very dark. Remove the pan from the burner and whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Place the pan in the refrigerator to cool to room temperature. (If you add it to the butter while it's warm, it will melt the butter and ruin the frosting.)
• Once the caramel has cooled to room temperature, place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Then add in the caramel. Beat again to combine. Then scrape the bowl and slowly add the powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.
• Scoop the frosting on top of the completely cooled cake and spread over the top. Cut into 24 pieces and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 377kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 268mg, Potassium: 82mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 680IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 0.3mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

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