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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and meticulously coat a tube pan or two loaf pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the cooking oil, granulated sugar, and eggs until the mixture achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl to eliminate any potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gently incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
- Infuse the batter with vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavor evenly.
- Carefully fold in the chopped apples and pecans, ensuring they are uniformly suspended throughout the batter.
- 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.
- For the glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, creating a rich base.
- Introduce brown sugar and milk to the melted butter, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring continuously.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the glaze to thicken and develop a rich caramel color.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, letting the glaze cool slightly to achieve the perfect pouring consistency.
- 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