Description
Homemade apple pecan cake with caramel glaze brings southern comfort to dessert tables. Rich layers of spiced cake showcase autumn’s best flavors while caramel adds luxurious sweetness you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) nutmeg
Wet Ingredients and Fruits:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
- 2 cups apples (peeled and chopped)
- 1 cup pecans (chopped)
Caramel Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Sift together the dry ingredients including flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl to ensure even distribution and eliminate potential lumps.
- In a separate large bowl, cream softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake batter.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cake texture.
- Carefully fold chopped apples and roughly chopped pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter to a greased 9-inch baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan for about 30 minutes, which helps set the structure and prevents crumbling.
- For the caramel glaze, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly.
- Simmer the caramel mixture for 3-4 minutes until it reaches a smooth, slightly thickened consistency, then remove from heat.
- Stir vanilla extract into the warm caramel glaze, creating a rich and aromatic topping.
- Drizzle the warm caramel glaze over the completely cooled cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Swap out regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals, ensuring the same tender texture.
- Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, creating a healthier alternative without compromising flavor.
- Toast pecans before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to ensure smoother mixing and more consistent cake texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg