This apple pecan cake with caramel glaze is a delicious apple cake recipe studded with apple chunks, chopped pecans, and warm spices, with a homemade caramel sauce that is poured over the entire cake for a symphony of irresistible flavors in every bite.
Apple cake is a dessert that I just can’t get enough of. Tender apples, crunchy pecans, and cinnamon in a tender cake? I’m always ready for another slice! The only thing that can make it better is the caramel glaze that I add to my recipe.
The combination creates a caramel apple cake that’s moist, tender, and full of apple chunks, and it always goes so fast! This cake is a decadent dessert that’s easy to make, and I love to serve it for dessert or bring it to parties.
There’s never an occasion that isn’t perfect for this dessert. And did I mention it was easy? Well, it bears repeating! Take one bit of this cake, and you’ll be hooked!
I’m such a big fan of apple and pecan cake that I have another delicious recipe for Pecan Apple Cake that you should definitely try you can find it here.
APPLE PECAN CAKE WITH CARAMEL GLAZE
This delicious dessert starts with a basic apple cake recipe that uses simple ingredients to deliver all its rich flavor. A simple cake batter is mixed with chunks of apples and chopped pecans for amazing flavor and texture. I bake the cake until it’s moist and tender, then I top it with a simple caramel glaze that’s ready in just a few minutes. The entire recipe only takes a little over an hour from start to finish, and when I’m all done, I have a caramel apple delight that everyone loves!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS APPLE PECAN CAKE WITH CARAMEL GLAZE
- This cake features a harmonious blend of three irresistible flavors: sweet and tart apples, crunchy pecans, and a rich buttery caramel glaze.
- The homemade caramel sauce instantly elevates this cake to another level of deliciousness.
- The combination of delicious flavors is a surefire winner with the special touch of homemade, and the nostalgic appeal makes it an irresistible treat the whole family will enjoy.
APPLE PECAN CAKE WITH CARAMEL GLAZE INGREDIENTS
You’ll only need a few basic baking ingredients and some Granny Smith apples to make this recipe. You’ll find everything you need in your kitchen or in one quick trip to the grocery store!
- Cooking oil
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Granny Smith apples
- Pecans
- Butter
- Light brown sugar
- Milk
HOW TO MAKE APPLE PECAN CAKE
This cake is easy to mix and bake, taking only a few minutes and a few simple steps. Even beginners can make it with ease. There’s really nothing to it.
STEP 1: PREP
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, generously grease and flour a tube pan or 2 loaf pans.
STEP 2: COMBINE THE WET INGREDIENTS
Mix the oil, sugar, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
STEP 3: COMBINE THE DRY INGREDIENTS
Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
STEP 4: MAKE THE CAKE BATTER
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Then, add the vanilla and mix again. Stir in the apples and pecans.
STEP 5: BAKE
Pour the batter into your tube pan or loaf pans and bake for 50 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, bake for another 10 minutes. Set the cake aside to cool while you make the glaze.
HOW TO MAKE THE CARAMEL GLAZE
This glaze is even easier to make than the cake. Just mix and boil for a few minutes. That’s it!
STEP 1: MAKE THE CARAMEL
Melt the butter in a small pan over low heat. Then, stir in the brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil over low heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring constantly. Boil for 10 minutes while continuing to stir. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cool.
STEP 2: TOP THE CAKE
When the glaze has cooled a bit, pour it over the top of the cake. Enjoy!
RECIPE TIPS
- Stir your caramel mixture continuously while cooking to avoid scorching.
- Top the cake while both it and the sauce are still warm so the sauce can get into all its nooks and crannies.
- Chop your apples and pecans into small pieces for the best texture and ensure you get plenty of both in every bite.
- You can toss your apples and pecans in flour to keep them from settling to the bottom of the pan while baking.
VARIATIONS
- Try adding apple pie seasoning to the cake.
- Mace or allspice work well in this cake.
- Use your favorite apples. I prefer Granny Smith, but sweeter baking apples will also work.
- Make this cake in a large baking dish for apple cinnamon bars.
- For extra-rich caramel, use heavy cream in place of milk.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH APPLE PECAN CAKE WITH CARAMEL GLAZE
Serve this cake to the kids with a glass of milk. Grownups can enjoy it with milk or a cup of coffee or tea. It’s also delicious with a little whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, and it makes a great classic dessert to end any meal with classic Americana dishes.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER APPLE PECAN CAKE
Store this cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil for up to 3 months.
TRY THIS DELICIOUS APPLE PECAN CAKE WITH CARAMEL GLAZE TODAY
This apple pecan cake with caramel glaze might look fancy, but as you just read, it’s actually very easy to make. With all that rich caramel apple flavor, moist, tender cake, and easy preparation, this is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Give this cake a try, and I know you’ll make it a permanent part of your recipe rotation.
Here are a few pics that are perfect to save to your favorite Pinterest boards on Pinterest.
APPLE PECAN CAKE WITH CARAMEL GLAZE
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups Granny Smith Apples (approximately 3-4 apples), peeled, chopped in small pieces
- 1 cup pecans, chopped small
Caramel Glaze
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup whole milk or half and half
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°
- In a large mixing bowl, add oil, sugar and eggs, mix until nice and creamy.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add to large bowl. Mix well.
- Add vanilla, mix well.
- Stir in apples and pecans.
- Pour into generously greased and floured tube pan (you can use two loaf pans in place of a tube pan).
- Bake at 325° for approximately 1 hour. Check using a tooth pick at about 50 minutes, and if it comes out clean, then your cake is done. If using the loaf pans, make sure to check it at about 50 minutes as well.
Making the Glaze
- In a small pan, melt butter over low heat.
- Stir in brown sugar and milk.
- Bring to a boil over low heat, then reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Let boil for 10 minutes, continue stirring.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir. Let cool.
- Once caramel glaze has cooled a bit, pour over the top of cake.
Conclusion to apple pecan cake with caramel glaze
I hope you will give this recipe a try and let me know how it turned out, I’m sure you will love it as much as I do!