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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Transfer the cake mixture into a well-prepared baking pan, ensuring an even surface for consistent baking.
- 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.
- Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- 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.
- Remove the glaze from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and allow it to cool and slightly thicken for optimal consistency.
- Drizzle the caramel glaze generously over the cooled cake, ensuring an even coating that cascades down the sides.
- 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