Easy Apple Cake With Caramel Glaze

This incredibly Easy Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze is the perfect fall dessert! Moist, spiced, and topped with a homemade caramel sauce, it’s a simple, one-bowl wonder that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple cake, easy dessert, fall baking, caramel glaze, one-bowl recipe
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 385 kcal

The Story Behind The Cake

There’s something deeply comforting about the aroma of cinnamon and apples baking in the oven. This Easy Apple Cake is my go-to recipe when I need a show-stopping dessert without the fuss. It requires just one bowl for the batter, comes together in minutes, and uses simple pantry staples. The crowning glory is the warm, buttery caramel glaze that seeps into the cake, creating an irresistible, moist crumb. It’s the taste of a crisp autumn day, baked into a single, glorious pan.

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Ingredients

For the Apple Cake:

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar

• ¾ cup (165g) light brown sugar, packed

• 1 cup (240ml) neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or avocado)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 3 cups (about 2-3 medium) peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work well)

For the Caramel Glaze:

• 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter

• ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream

• ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed

• Pinch of salt

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted

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Instructions

Making the Apple Cake:

1. Prep and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth and well combined. Slowly whisk in the oil and vanilla extract until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.

3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt directly into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

4. Fold in Apples: Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter until they are evenly distributed.

5. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

6. Cool: Place the pan on a wire rack and allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze. This is crucial, as a warm cake will cause the glaze to melt and become too thin.

Making the Caramel Glaze:

1. Melt Ingredients: While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, heavy cream, and brown sugar together. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.

2. Boil: Let it boil for 1 minute without stirring. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the salt and vanilla extract.

3. Whisk in Powdered Sugar: Gradually whisk in the sifted powdered sugar until the glaze is completely smooth and free of lumps. If the glaze seems too thick, add a teaspoon of warm water at a time until it reaches a pourable consistency.

4. Glaze the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, pour the warm caramel glaze over the top. Use an offset spatula to spread it evenly across the entire surface.

5. Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set for about 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.

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Notes

• Apple Choices: Using a tart apple like Granny Smith provides a lovely contrast to the sweet cake and glaze. For a sweeter, softer cake, use Gala or Fuji apples. A mix of varieties is also delicious!

• Don’t Overmix: The key to a tender cake is to mix the batter only until the flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten and leads to a tough cake.

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room-temperature eggs helps them emulsify better with the oil and sugar, creating a better texture.

• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cake can also be frozen (without glaze) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add the glaze before serving.

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Nutrition Information

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.

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Recipe Intensity Breakdown

• Skill Level: Beginner

• Technical Skills Required: Basic measuring, mixing, and stovetop simmering.

• Effort Level: Low. This is a straightforward, one-bowl recipe.

• Equipment Needed: Basic (mixing bowls, whisk, 9×13 pan, saucepan).

• Cleanup: Easy (one main bowl for batter).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• One-Bowl Wonder: Fewer dishes mean more time to enjoy the incredible aroma filling your kitchen.

• Ultra-Moist Texture: The oil in the batter and the juicy apples guarantee a cake that stays moist for days.

• The Perfect Glaze: The homemade caramel glaze takes this simple cake from humble to extraordinary.

• Crowd-Pleaser: This cake is a guaranteed hit at potlucks, family gatherings, or just as a weeknight treat.

There you have it! A simple, decadent, and utterly delicious dessert that celebrates the best flavors of the season. Happy baking