The Sweetest Apple Toffee Caramel Cake Recipe Ever Made

Crafting a delectable apple toffee caramel cake brings pure joy to sweet-loving souls.

Autumn’s crisp breeze whispers memories of warm kitchen aromas.

Buttery layers promise comfort with each delightful bite.

Seasonal apples dance beautifully through rich, golden cake textures.

Caramel ribbons weave magic between soft crumb landscapes.

Toffee pieces crackle with unexpected delightful surprises.

Bake this stunning dessert and watch smiles bloom around your table.

Apple Toffee Caramel Cake Wonders

• Bake with Seasonal Charm: Capture the cozy essence of fall with this apple-packed cake that brings warmth and comfort to your kitchen.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Impress family and friends with a luxurious cake that combines classic apple flavors with rich caramel and crunchy toffee bits.
• Master Approachable Baking: Enjoy a recipe that's straightforward enough for intermediate bakers while delivering professional-looking results that taste amazing.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the cake by adding extra spices, serving with different toppings, or adjusting the caramel intensity to suit your personal taste preferences.

Ingredients for Apple Toffee Caramel Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture to the cake.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warm spices that complement the apple flavor and add depth to the cake.

• Applesauce, Diced Apples: Contribute moisture and fresh apple flavor to the cake.

• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Help the cake rise and balance the flavors.

• Granulated Sugar: The base for creating the caramel sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth caramel.
• Heavy Cream: Provides creaminess and helps stabilize the caramel sauce.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the caramel.

• Toffee Bits: Adds a crunchy, sweet element to the cake's decoration.

How to Make Apple Toffee Caramel Cake

Step 1: Mixing Apple Cake Batter

Warm up your oven to 350F. Grab two round cake pans and coat them with butter and flour. In one bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another larger bowl, cream butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Add eggs one by one, blending thoroughly after each. Pour in vanilla extract for extra flavor. Gradually combine dry ingredients with butter mixture, alternating with applesauce. Gently fold in diced apples. Divide batter evenly between pans and smooth the surfaces. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks.

Step 2: Creating Luscious Caramel Sauce

Heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts into a deep amber color. Carefully introduce butter, whisking until fully combined. Slowly pour in heavy cream while continuously whisking to create a silky smooth sauce. Add a pinch of salt for depth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Building The Decadent Cake

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Drizzle caramel sauce generously. Sprinkle toffee bits across the surface. Position second cake layer on top. Cover with remaining caramel sauce and scatter remaining toffee bits.

Step 4: Serving The Masterpiece

Slice the cake and serve. Optional: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Pro Tips for Apple Toffee Caramel Cake

• Select Ripe, Flavorful Apples: Choose sweet-crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best cake texture and rich apple flavor.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss diced apples with a splash of lemon juice to maintain their fresh color and prevent oxidation during baking.
• Control Caramel Consistency: Watch sugar carefully while making caramel sauce, stirring constantly to avoid burning and achieve smooth, golden color.
• Master Even Cake Layers: Use a kitchen scale to divide batter equally between pans, ensuring uniform cake layers and consistent baking.
• Enhance Serving Temperature: Warm cake slightly before serving to intensify caramel and toffee flavors, creating a more luxurious dessert experience.

Flavorful Variations for Apple Toffee Caramel Cake

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the cake remains moist and tender.
• Vegan Version: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, swap heavy cream for coconut cream, and select dairy-free toffee bits for a compassionate dessert.
• Spiced Autumn Variation: Add ground ginger and cardamom to the cake batter, incorporate roasted pecans between layers, and drizzle with bourbon-infused caramel sauce for a warm, seasonal profile.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, replace some applesauce with unsweetened applesauce, and select sugar-free toffee bits to reduce overall sugar content.

Pairings for Apple Toffee Caramel Cake

• Pair Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Cool, smooth vanilla ice cream complements the warm, rich caramel and apple flavors, creating a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
• Brew Spiced Chai Latte: Aromatic chai with its blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger perfectly matches the cake's warm spices and enhances the apple and caramel notes.
• Sip Butterscotch Whiskey Cocktail: A smooth whiskey cocktail with butterscotch undertones elevates the toffee and caramel elements, offering an elegant adult pairing for this decadent dessert.
• Match Salted Caramel Cappuccino: The coffee's deep roasted flavor and creamy caramel notes harmonize beautifully with the cake's sweet and spicy profile, providing a luxurious finish.

Storage Advice for Apple Toffee Caramel Cake

• Store cake covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent caramel sauce from melting.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Leave cake at room temperature for 2 hours maximum. Cover loosely with a cake dome or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, place slice on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated 300F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore moisture and bring out caramel's rich flavor.

Apple Toffee Caramel Cake FAQs

• How do I know if my cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean without wet batter, your cake is done. The top should also be golden brown and slightly springy when touched.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These varieties hold their shape and provide a nice texture and tartness to the cake.

• Why is my caramel sauce turning grainy?

Avoid stirring sugar while it’s melting. Use a clean, dry pan and heat sugar evenly. If sugar crystalizes, start over to ensure a smooth caramel sauce.

Apple Toffee Caramel Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet caramel dreams come alive in this Apple Toffee Caramel Cake, blending orchard-fresh apples with rich toffee notes. Indulgent layers promise pure comfort with each decadent bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) applesauce

Fruit Ingredient:

• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) finely diced apples (peeled and cored)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and dust with flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth consistency. Blend in vanilla extract.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with applesauce. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain cake’s tenderness.
6. Gently fold diced apples into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
7. Divide batter equally between prepared cake pans, smoothing the surfaces with a spatula for even baking.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
9. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks.
10. For caramel sauce, melt granulated sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns deep amber.
11. Carefully add butter, whisking until fully incorporated. Slowly pour in heavy cream, continuing to whisk until sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
12. Stir in salt, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
13. Place first cake layer on serving plate. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle half the toffee bits.
14. Position second cake layer on top. Cover with remaining caramel sauce and toffee bits.
15. Serve at room temperature, optionally accompanied by vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Notes

• Swap applesauce with Greek yogurt for a tangier, protein-rich cake that stays incredibly moist.
• Toast toffee bits briefly in a dry pan to enhance their caramelized flavor and add a delightful crunch.
• Create a gluten-free version by replacing all-purpose flour with a blend of almond and coconut flour for a nutty undertone.
• Cool cakes completely before assembling to prevent caramel sauce from sliding and ensure clean, picture-perfect layers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 263 kcal
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 167 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg