Heavenly Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Recipe

Warm kitchen memories flood back whenever I whip up this delectable apple pecan cake that promises pure comfort.

Crisp autumn afternoons inspire such delightful baking adventures.

Sweet aromas will swirl through your home, beckoning everyone near.

Crunchy pecans and tender apple chunks create a magical texture combination that surprises and delights.

Cutting into a slice where caramel glaze glistens invitingly across the top.

Rich flavors blend seamlessly, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Let’s bake a cake that turns an ordinary moment into something unforgettable.

Smart Tips for Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, spices, and other dry ingredients to ensure the cake's perfect texture and balanced flavor.
• Soften Butter Strategically: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve a smooth, fluffy mixture that blends easily with other ingredients.
• Fold Apples and Pecans Gently: Mix fruits and nuts carefully to prevent overmixing, which can make the cake dense and tough, maintaining a light and tender crumb.
• Test Cake Doneness Accurately: Insert a toothpick in the center and look for minimal crumbs; if it comes out completely clean, the cake might be slightly overdone.
• Store Smartly for Freshness: Keep the cake covered at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain moisture and prevent staleness.

Store Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Room Temperature: Keep cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon, covering with a cake dome or loose plastic wrap to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cake slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring no air pockets that could cause freezer burn.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or place in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes until slightly warm and soft.

What to Serve with Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Pair with Warm Spiced Cider: Complement the cake's rich autumnal flavors by serving a hot mug of spiced apple cider. The warm, cinnamony drink echoes the cake's spices and enhances the apple and pecan notes beautifully.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a generous portion of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside each slice. The cold, smooth texture contrasts perfectly with the warm, dense cake and adds a luxurious touch to each bite.
• Brew Robust Coffee: Select a medium-dark roast coffee to serve with the cake. The coffee's deep, slightly bitter undertones balance the cake's sweetness and caramel glaze, creating a harmonious dessert experience.
• Enhance with Whipped Cream: Top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The light, airy texture and subtle sweetness provide a delightful counterpoint to the cake's dense, nutty composition.

Tasty Ideas for Changing Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• Seasonal Berry Blast: Replace apples with a mix of fresh seasonal berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a vibrant summer version.
• Tropical Coconut Crunch: Swap pecans with toasted coconut flakes and add a splash of rum extract to give the cake a Caribbean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spiced Pear Perfection: Substitute diced apples with ripe pears and enhance the spice blend with a pinch of cardamom for a warming winter variation.
• Nutty Maple Fusion: Replace caramel glaze with a rich maple syrup glaze and mix chopped walnuts into the batter for an earthy, woodland-inspired cake.

Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze FAQs You’ll Need

• What makes this apple pecan cake special?

The combination of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with fresh apples and crunchy pecans creates a rich, homestyle cake that feels like a comforting autumn dessert. The caramel glaze adds an extra layer of decadence.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes! Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples work best because they hold their shape and provide a nice balance of tartness and sweetness when baked in the cake.

• Is it necessary to use a specific type of pan?

You can use either a 9×13-inch baking pan or a Bundt pan. Each pan will slightly adjust the baking time, but the recipe works well in both. Just be sure to grease and flour the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.

• How can I tell if the cake is fully baked?

Use the toothpick test – insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done. The cake should also be golden brown and slightly pulling away from the pan’s edges.

Why Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze Tastes Like Fall

• Savor Seasonal Fall Flavors: Packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this cake captures the essence of autumn in every delectable bite.
• Create a Texture Triumph: Combines soft, tender cake with crunchy pecans and juicy apple chunks, delivering a delightful contrast that keeps every forkful interesting.
• Master Effortless Baking: Simple one-bowl mixing method and straightforward instructions make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from novice to experienced home cooks.
• Indulge in Decadent Caramel Finish: The rich, buttery caramel glaze transforms an already delicious cake into an irresistible dessert that feels like a special treat for any occasion.

What’s Inside Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

• All-Purpose Flour: Base of the cake, provides structure and texture. Unbleached flour works best for a more natural flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and become light. Fresh baking soda ensures good leavening.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Use fine table salt.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cloves: Warm spices that add depth and autumn-like flavor. Use freshly ground spices for more intense taste.

• Butter, Sugar: Creamy base that provides richness and sweetness. Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure. Room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds complex flavor. Pure vanilla extract offers better taste than imitation.
• Sour Cream: Creates moisture and tender crumb. Full-fat sour cream works best.

• Apples, Pecans: Add texture and nutty flavor. Use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Toast pecans for deeper flavor.
• Brown Sugar, Heavy Cream: Create rich caramel glaze. Dark brown sugar provides more robust flavor.

Baking Steps for Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

Step 1: Whip Up the Batter

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch pan or Bundt pan and give it a quick spray and dust with flour.

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ground cloves

Grab another bowl and cream butter and sugar until they’re fluffy and cloud-like. Beat in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla and sour cream. Gently fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Toss in diced apples and chopped pecans, giving everything a gentle mix.

Step 2: Bake to Perfection

• 9×13-inch pan: 40-45 minutes
• Bundt pan: 50-55 minutes

A toothpick should come out clean when it’s done. Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for a complete cool-down.

Step 3: Create Liquid Gold Caramel Glaze

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream. Bring to a bubbly boil and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Let it rest for 5 minutes to thicken up.

Step 4: Drizzle and Serve

Cascade the caramel glaze over the cooled cake, letting it drip and flow naturally. Give the glaze a few minutes to set, then slice and serve up a piece of pure comfort.

Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet southern charm meets comforting nostalgia in this Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze, a delightful dessert celebrating autumn’s rich flavors. Warm spices and crunchy pecans dance alongside tender apples, creating a memorable treat that invites you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Craft the cake foundation by whisking together dry ingredients in a separate vessel, ensuring an even distribution of flour, baking soda, salt, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency, creating a smooth base for the cake.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky texture, then introduce vanilla extract and sour cream for enhanced moisture and depth.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using minimal stirring to preserve the cake’s delicate structure, then carefully integrate diced apples and chopped pecans throughout the batter.
5. Transfer the cake mixture into a well-prepared baking pan, ensuring an even surface for consistent baking.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the pan in the center, allowing the cake to bake until a inserted toothpick emerges clean, typically requiring 40-55 minutes depending on pan type.
7. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Prepare the caramel glaze by melting butter in a saucepan, then introducing brown sugar and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil while continuously stirring.
9. Remove the glaze from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and allow it to cool and slightly thicken for optimal consistency.
10. Drizzle the caramel glaze generously over the cooled cake, ensuring an even coating that cascades down the sides.
11. Permit the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and the surface to stabilize.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking of the cake.
• Dice apples into small, uniform pieces to distribute evenly throughout the batter and prevent sinking.
• Toast pecans before adding to the cake to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture.
• Reduce sugar content by using half applesauce and half sugar, which keeps the cake moist while cutting calories.
• Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
• Enhance caramel glaze by adding a pinch of sea salt to create a sophisticated sweet-salty balance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 419
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 153 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 51 mg