Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe

Imagine the scent of sweet apples and warm spices wafting through your kitchen, with a glossy caramel glaze pooling around the edges—this is exactly the joy you’ll bring to your table with Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze. Moist from juicy apples, studded with buttery pecans, and blanketed in a luscious caramel topping, this cake is a festive treat that celebrates the best of cozy baking. Whether for holidays, potlucks, or just an afternoon pick-me-up, there’s something undeniably special about each bite of this crowd-pleasing dessert.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

With familiar pantry staples and a few star additions, the ingredients for Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze are both approachable and transformative. Every component, from the apples to the pecans, works together to create a cake that’s rich in flavor, inviting in texture, and beautifully golden in color.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the cake’s sturdy yet tender crumb—don’t substitute for whole wheat or the texture may change.
• Baking soda: Lends just the right amount of lift so your cake rises softly.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brightens the warm spices throughout the cake.
• Ground cinnamon: Gives the cake its signature comforting spice, perfect for pairing with apples.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle warmth and complexity, heightening the fall flavors.
• Granulated sugar: The main sweetener, ensuring the cake is moist and tender—feel free to use organic if you prefer.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake incredibly moist, even days after baking.
• Eggs: Bind the batter together while helping the crumb stay soft and rich.
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth and a lovely aroma that enhances both cake and glaze.
• Peeled, finely chopped apples: These melt into the batter, lending natural sweetness and juiciness—choose firm, tart apples for extra flavor.
• Chopped pecans: Toasty, nutty crunch in every bite; feel free to roast them for bolder flavor.
• Milk (for cake): Helps blend the batter and keeps the crumb tender.
• Unsalted butter (for glaze): Forms the creamy base of the caramel—use high-quality butter for extra flavor.
• Packed brown sugar (for glaze): The rich molasses notes are essential for that irresistible caramel sauce.
• Milk (for glaze): Adds silkiness and helps the caramel pour smoothly over the cake.
• Vanilla extract (for glaze): The final touch that lifts the caramel’s complex sweetness.

How to Make Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s fully preheated before the cake goes in. Next, generously grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan—this step is key for an easy, flawless release after baking. A little extra attention here means you’ll get those gorgeous slices without any sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. By blending these dry ingredients thoroughly, you guarantee that the rising agents and spices are even, ensuring every morsel of Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze is perfectly textured and flavorful.

Step 3: Create the Wet Base

In a large mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and pale. This creamy mixture forms the base of your cake, giving it richness and moisture that meld beautifully with the apples and pecans.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything comes together. Be gentle—overmixing can make the cake dense, so stop as soon as you see only a few streaks of flour left.

Step 5: Fold in Apples, Pecans, and Milk

With a spatula, fold in the finely chopped apples, chopped pecans, and milk. These final additions give Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze its signature bursts of flavor and texture. The apples become tender and juicy, while the pecans add crunch in every bite.

Step 6: Bake

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma of apples and cinnamon will let you know it’s almost ready!

Step 7: Prepare the Caramel Glaze

While the cake bakes, melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the brown sugar and milk. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for two minutes so it thickens to a pourable caramel. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla for extra depth.

Step 8: Glaze the Hot Cake

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, pour the warm caramel glaze over the top, spreading it evenly so it soaks in a little. This step transforms the cake into Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze magic—the sauce sinks into crevices and forms a glossy finish on top.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Let the cake rest for a short while so the caramel glaze settles and sets. This makes slicing much easier, as the cake won’t crumble and every piece will be beautifully coated in caramel.

How to Serve Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze

Garnishes

Elevate each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—the cool, creamy contrast is pure heaven with the warm spices and caramel. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a few toasted pecans or a pinch of cinnamon right before serving for a picture-perfect finish.

Side Dishes

This cake is a rich centerpiece on its own, but it’s delightful alongside a cup of strong coffee or hot spiced apple cider. If you’re serving a larger dessert spread, pair with fresh berries, poached pears, or a tart fruit salad to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, cut the Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze into small squares for bite-sized treats, or layer with whipped cream in parfait glasses for a beautiful trifle. Serving in individual ramekins or mason jars also makes for a rustic, crowd-pleasing presentation that lets the gooey caramel glaze shine.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate for up to five days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so it’s a fantastic make-ahead dessert for busy weeks, impromptu guests, or unexpected cravings.

Freezing

To freeze, cut the cake into slices and wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to three months, and let slices thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, microwave individual slices for 15–20 seconds or reheat larger portions in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. If you’ve frozen the cake, make sure it’s fully thawed before reheating to keep the crumb light and moist and the caramel glaze silky.

FAQs

What kind of apples work best for this recipe?

Tart, firm varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji are fantastic because they hold their shape and provide a nice balance to the sweet, spiced crumb and rich caramel glaze.

Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts add a slightly bolder, more earthy flavor that complements the apples and caramel just as beautifully as pecans do, so feel free to swap them in if that’s your preference—or use whatever nuts you have on hand.

Does the caramel glaze harden as it cools?

The caramel glaze on Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze thickens as it cools, forming a soft, glossy layer that’s easy to slice but still gooey and satisfying. It won’t harden completely, ensuring every forkful has plenty of sticky caramel goodness.

Can I make this as cupcakes or in a bundt pan?

You sure can! For cupcakes, check for doneness at around 20–24 minutes, and for a bundt pan, increase the baking time and test with a skewer. Just remember to pour the caramel glaze while the cake is still warm for best results.

What’s the best way to chop the apples and pecans?

Finely chop the apples so they meld into the batter and create a moist interior, and coarsely chop pecans for a bit of crunch in every bite. If you prefer a smoother texture, chop both more finely, but a bit of variety adds lovely interest to the cake.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, you know just how extraordinary Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze can be. There’s so much warmth, crunch, and silky caramel sweetness in every forkful, it’s truly a dessert worth sharing—again and again. Give it a shot, and let this cake earn its place as your new fall (or anytime!) favorite!

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