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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!
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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 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
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.