Heavenly Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe

Baking an irresistible apple pecan cake with caramel glaze transports you straight to comfort food paradise.

Sweet aromas will dance through your kitchen while mixing these delightful ingredients.

Crisp autumn apples blend perfectly with crunchy pecans, creating a magical dessert experience.

Seasonal spices whisper warmth and nostalgia in every delectable bite.

Layers of rich flavor promise to delight even the most discerning palate.

Smooth caramel drizzle adds an elegant finishing touch that makes this cake truly special.

Grab a fork and indulge in a slice of pure happiness.

Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze That Charms

• Bake with Seasonal Delight: Capture the essence of autumn with this apple and pecan cake that brings warmth and comfort to your kitchen, celebrating the rich flavors of fall harvest.
• Master Simple Baking Techniques: Learn easy mixing and folding methods that transform basic ingredients into a stunning dessert, perfect for bakers of all skill levels from beginners to experienced home cooks.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Impress family and friends with a homemade cake that delivers complex flavors and a gorgeous caramel glaze, making it ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or weekend treats.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows substitutions like different nuts or using loaf pans instead of a tube pan, giving you creative freedom to adapt to your preferences and available bakeware.

Ingredients for Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Cooking Oil: A key liquid ingredient that ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a light cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the cake's foundation.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic flavor that complements the apples.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth and richness to the cake's flavor profile.

• Apples, Pecans: Add texture, moisture, and nutty crunch to the cake.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Create a rich, sweet caramel topping that adds luxurious flavor and moisture to the cake.

How to Bake Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Set your oven to a cozy 325°F. Generously coat a tube pan or two loaf pans with butter and flour to guarantee a smooth cake release.

Step 2: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend cooking oil, sugar, and eggs until the mixture transforms into a silky, creamy texture that looks absolutely dreamy.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Salt

This magical blend ensures your cake will have perfect texture and flavor distribution.

Step 4: Merge Wet And Dry Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix with a light hand to keep the batter tender and avoid creating a tough cake.

Step 5: Enhance Flavor Profile

Stir in vanilla extract, letting its rich aroma infuse the batter with warmth and depth.

Step 6: Add Delightful Mix-Ins

• Chopped apples
• Pecans

Distribute evenly so every slice promises a delectable crunch and fruity burst.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan. Slide into the oven and bake for about 1 hour.

Around 50 minutes, perform the toothpick test – a clean pick means your cake is ready!

Step 8: Craft Decadent Caramel Glaze

Melt butter in a small saucepan over gentle heat.

Step 9: Create Caramel Magic

Add brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Stir constantly to prevent burning.

Step 10: Thicken Glaze

Let mixture bubble for 10 minutes until it reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.

Step 11: Final Glaze Touch

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Allow to cool slightly so it remains pourable.

Step 12: Drizzle And Serve

Pour warm caramel glaze over slightly cooled cake, letting it cascade dramatically down the sides. Watch as your masterpiece transforms into an irresistible dessert!

Tips to Perfect Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Ensure apples are fresh and firm for the best texture and flavor in the cake.
• Chop pecans coarsely to maintain a delightful crunch throughout each bite.
• Toast pecans briefly before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and aroma.
• Use room temperature eggs for smoother batter incorporation and more even mixing.
• Check cake doneness early to prevent overbaking, which can dry out the delicious apple pecan cake.

Variations to Try on Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free flour mix to create a celiac-friendly cake that maintains a similar texture and taste.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce, use coconut oil instead of cooking oil, and replace milk with almond milk for a plant-based caramel glaze.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use sugar-free caramel sauce, and incorporate more apples to maintain natural sweetness.
• Nut-Free Adaptation: Remove pecans and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch, perfect for those with nut allergies while keeping the cake's original character.

Pairing Ideas for Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Brew robust coffee to complement the cake's rich, spiced apple and pecan flavors, with the warm caramel glaze finding delightful harmony in each coffee sip.
• Select a smooth caramel-infused whiskey that echoes the cake's sweet caramel notes, creating a luxurious dessert experience with deep, complementary undertones.
• Choose a creamy vanilla chai tea that balances the cake's dense texture, with subtle spices that dance alongside the cinnamon and apple elements, providing a refreshing counterpoint.

Storage Tips for Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Store the cake in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap for up to 5 days. Keep it in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent the caramel glaze from becoming too runny.
• Wrap the completely cooled cake securely in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut individual slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this cake moist?

The cooking oil and fresh apples work together to create a wonderfully tender and soft cake texture. The oil helps distribute moisture evenly while the chopped apples naturally add juiciness to every slice.

• Are pecans necessary for this recipe?

While pecans add wonderful crunch and nutty flavor, you can omit them if you have nut allergies or preferences. The cake will still taste delicious without the nuts, maintaining its rich apple-cinnamon profile.

• Can I use different types of apples?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples provide tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji offer sweetness. Choose apples that are firm and crisp to ensure they hold their shape during baking and provide the best texture to the cake.

Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Moist apple pecan cake sparkles with Southern charm, blending autumn’s warmest flavors. Caramel glaze drizzled over spiced layers creates a sweet finale you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3½ cups Granny Smith apples (peeled and finely chopped)
• 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)
• 1½ cups cooking oil
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ¾ cups (1½ sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and meticulously coat a tube pan or two loaf pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the cooking oil, granulated sugar, and eggs until the mixture achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl to eliminate any potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Gently incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
5. Infuse the batter with vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavor evenly.
6. Carefully fold in the chopped apples and pecans, ensuring they are uniformly suspended throughout the batter.
7. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan(s), spreading it evenly. Bake for approximately 1 hour, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center around the 50-minute mark. The cake is ready when the toothpick emerges clean.
8. For the glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, creating a rich base.
9. Introduce brown sugar and milk to the melted butter, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring continuously.
10. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the glaze to thicken and develop a rich caramel color.
11. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, letting the glaze cool slightly to achieve the perfect pouring consistency.
12. Once the cake has cooled slightly, generously drizzle the caramel glaze over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides for a decadent finish.

Notes

• Swap out regular flour for gluten-free alternatives like almond or oat flour to make the cake suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, which can add depth and complexity to the cake’s flavor profile.
• Toast pecans before adding them to the batter to intensify their nutty flavor and create a more robust, aromatic cake experience.
• Use overripe apples for maximum sweetness and moisture, as they break down more easily and contribute to a softer cake texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 33 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg