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Caramel Apple Layer Cake

September 27, 2017 by thedomesticrebel | 1 Comment

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slice of caramel apple layer cake next to two cinnamon sticksThis Caramel Apple Layer Cake is bursting with flavor! With fresh apples swirled throughout the cake batter and a buttery caramel frosting, it’s a crowd-pleasing fall-favorite!

I have to say, I’m beginning to change my tune about layer cakes for one reason: the newfound appreciation for rustic-looking cakes.

If fondant and stuff was still a thing – much like Ugg boots with denim shorts or Charlie Sheen’s acting career – I would avoid it like the plague. But since everyone has loosened up on their fancy cakes, I have loosened my strict rule about never making layer cakes.

And you guys? It feels good to be free from those restraints, because this cake was worth it.

Sure, it’s not going to be on a Food Network cake challenge show (and I wouldn’t want it to be, anyway!), but that’s okay, because all the goodness is in the flavor of the cake, which is the most important thing, right? Haven’t you ever seen a gorgeous cake in the shape or likes of something but tasted it and it was dry and artificial-tasting? So anticlimactic.

whole caramel apple layer cake on a marble cake stand The cake starts out like a regular scratch yellow cake but gets amped up with the addition of fresh apples and lots of spice. Once it bakes and cools, you can assemble it – thankfully it is only two merciful layers – and frost it with the buttery caramel cream cheese frosting. I like that it is caramel + cream cheese because the cream cheese offsets the sweetness of the caramel some, and adds a nice, delightful tang.

Last thing you need to do (which I shouldn’t have to clarify)… EAT!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some lost time to make up with layer cake recipes.

slice of caramel apple layer cake on a maroon plate*cake recipe adapted from Magnolia Bakery cookbook

Super flavorful Caramel Apple Layer Cake is easy and impressive! Two layers of moist, tender apple spice cake covered in a heavenly cream cheese caramel frosting. A gorgeous cake that tastes even better than it looks!
Print Recipe

Caramel Apple Layer Cake

This Caramel Apple Layer Cake has a moist and tender spice apple cake filled with creamy, buttery caramel cream cheese frosting. A delightful, easy layer cake recipe everyone will love!
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Total Time1 hr 15 mins
Course: Cakes/Cupcakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Dessert
Servings: 8 -10
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • FOR THE CAKE:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2-3 tsp ground cinnamon depending on how spiced you like it
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 3 cups coarsely chopped peeled tart apples, such as Granny Smith
  • FOR THE FROSTING:
  • 8 ounces (One 8 oz pkg) cream cheese softened
  • 6 Tbsp butter softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup caramel sundae sauce
  • 4-5 cups confectioners' sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Line two 8 or 9" round pans with parchment rounds and liberally grease each pan. Set aside briefly.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the granulated sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract. Meanwhile, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Alternate adding the dry mixture with the milk, ending with the milk, until the batter is smooth and blended. Stir in the apples.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist - not wet - crumbs. Cool completely in the pans.
  • For the icing: in a bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese and butter until fluffy and smooth, about 1 minute. Add in the brown sugar and vanilla and mix well. Gradually add in the confectioners' sugar, about one cup at a time, thinning the frosting out with the caramel sundae sauce if it becomes too thick. Frosting should be light and fluffy.
  • Frost the layer cake in the middle and around the tops and sides of the cake. If you have remaining icing, you can pipe little details (like flowers or swirls) around the perimeter or edges of the top and/or sides of the cake. Finish with a little extra drizzle of caramel sauce.

slice of caramel apple layer cake with a bite missingMoist, tender, flavorful spice cake chock-full of fresh apples and covered in a heavenly cream cheese caramel frosting. There’s nothing better!

caramel apple layer cake collageHave a super sweet day!

xo, Hayley

 

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Comments

  1. cakespy says

    September 29, 2017 at 3:28 am

    YESSSSSSSSS! So much yes to this baby.

    Reply

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About me

Welcome to The Domestic Rebel! My name is Hayley and I am the 31-year old writer, photographer, recipe developer, taste-tester and creator of this blog. I’m so glad you’ve stopped by my little slice of sprinkly, butter-laden heaven on the interwebs. If it wasn’t apparent, I like to bake… a lot. Read More…

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