Name: Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups cake flour sifted and then measured; 1 cup sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1½ tsp cinnamon; ¾ tsp ground nutmeg; ½ tsp salt; 1 cup dark brown sugar; 10 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature; 1 cup buttermilk room temperature; 3 cups diced apples; ½ cup applesauce unsweetened; 1 tsp vanilla; 3 eggs room temperature; ½ cup butter; 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed; ¼ cup milk any variety; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 cups powdered sugar sifted; All Caramel Icing ingredients plus; 1¼ cups powdered sugar sifted

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 69 reviews

If you’re craving a cozy dessert that wraps you up in all the warm flavors of fall, you’ve got to give this Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe a try. It’s one of those cakes that feels like a big, comforting hug—moist apples, fragrant spices, and that luscious caramel icing make it downright irresistible. Trust me, once you start baking this, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Spice Blend: The cinnamon and nutmeg add just the right warmth without overpowering the apple sweetness.
Moisture from Apples and Applesauce: Fresh diced apples paired with unsweetened applesauce keep the cake tender and fruity.
Caramel Icing Made From Scratch: The homemade caramel icing brings richness and that classic buttery caramel flavor you crave.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: No fancy components—everything comes together beautifully with pantry staples and fresh apples.

Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing, fall dessert recipes, moist apple cake, homemade caramel frosting, cozy autumn cakes - A round cake with one visible layer is covered evenly with smooth light brown frosting that has soft swirls on top. The cake sits on a clear glass plate with a floral pattern, placed on a white marbled surface with a red cloth underneath the plate. Two silver forks are on the left side of the plate, and a silver cake server is on the right side. The scene is well-lit, showing the texture of the frosting clearly photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe blends classic fall flavors in a way that’s both comforting and fresh. Each ingredient plays a role to build moistness, flavor, and that perfect crumb we all want in a cake. Here’s a little insight into what you’re working with before you start baking.

Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing, fall dessert recipes, moist apple cake, homemade caramel frosting, cozy autumn cakes - Flat lay of a small mound of sifted cake flour, a small white ceramic bowl of white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown sugar, a neat pile of whole brown cinnamon sticks, a small heap of ground nutmeg, a small pile of salt crystals, a few tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature shaped into a smooth square, a small white ceramic bowl of buttermilk, three whole uncracked brown eggs, a few fresh whole apples alongside a small white ceramic bowl filled with diced apples, a small white ceramic bowl of unsweetened applesauce, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, and a small white ceramic bowl with melting butter, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cake flour: Sifted cake flour is lighter and creates a tender crumb; sifting before measuring helps keep the texture just right.
Sugar (granulated and dark brown): The granulated sugar sweetens and helps with structure, while the dark brown sugar adds moisture and depth.
Baking powder: This is your leavening to help the cake rise beautifully without heaviness.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic warming spices that bring apple pie vibes to your cake.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
Unsalted butter: Brings richness and moisture; make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderizes the crumb; using room temperature buttermilk helps everything mix smoothly.
Diced apples: Fresh and juicy, they’re the heart of the recipe—choose a crisp variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
Unsweetened applesauce: Boosts moisture without extra sugar and complements the diced apples perfectly.
Vanilla extract: Deepens the cake’s flavor with its sweet, floral notes.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness; be sure they’re at room temperature so they blend in easily.
For the caramel icing: Butter, brown sugar, milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla combine to form that luscious caramel topping.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you want it a little more spiced or prefer a tangier icing, you can mix and match. Don’t feel boxed in by the recipe—this cake is a blank canvas for your creativity.

Add more spice: I sometimes toss in a pinch of cloves or ginger for an extra warm kick—it turns the spice profile into something really special.
Make it gluten-free: I’ve swapped the cake flour for a gluten-free blend successfully—just be sure it contains xanthan gum for texture.
Swap milk varieties: The caramel icing is flexible, so you can easily use dairy-free milk like oat or almond to fit your dietary needs.
Apple varieties: Using sweeter apples like Fuji or Gala will change the sweetness, so adjust your sugar if you want a less sweet cake.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing and flouring your cake pans—either two 8 or 9-inch rounds or one 9×13-inch pan. I always like to sifting cake flour before measuring; it sounds extra, but it really helps give the cake a light texture. Pull your eggs and butter out early so they reach room temperature—it makes mixing smoother and your batter silkier.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, sifted cake flour meets white sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk them together thoroughly so every scoop of batter contains that perfect balance of spice and rise.

Step 3: Beat the Wet Ingredients

In your mixer bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, applesauce, and buttermilk. Beat for about 2 minutes until this mixture is smooth and creamy—you’ll notice how the applesauce adds moisture without making it runny. Next, add eggs and vanilla, beating another 2 minutes to create a velvety base.

Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry, Fold in Apples

Turn your mixer to low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet. You want to avoid overmixing, so stop as soon as the batter is smooth and combined. The magic happens when you gently fold in those fresh diced apples—being careful to keep the batter airy and light.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Pour batter evenly into your prepared pans. Depending on your pan size, bake for 25-30 minutes if you’re using round pans, or 30-40 minutes for the 9×13 pan. I always use a toothpick to test doneness—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let your round cakes cool about 15 minutes before carefully running a knife around the edges and flipping onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Caramel Icing

While your cake is baking, make the caramel icing: melt butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and bring it to a boil for exactly 2 minutes while stirring constantly—that’s the secret for that perfect caramel texture. Add milk and bring it back to a boil, then remove from heat immediately. Stir in sifted powdered sugar and vanilla. The icing should be cool enough to spread by the time your cake is ready—usually about 15-20 minutes after baking. If it thickens too much, just warm it gently before spreading.

Step 7: Frost or Ice as Desired

If you want to go all out, turn that icing into creamy caramel frosting by adding more powdered sugar and an extra splash of milk in your electric mixer after the caramel icing has cooled. Spread this luscious frosting generously over your cooled cake, slice, and get ready to fall in love.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe

Don’t Skip Sifting: Sifting your flour and powdered sugar aerates them to prevent clumping and helps your cake stay tender.
Exact Boil Timing: Boil your caramel sugar mixture for exactly 2 minutes—less and it won’t thicken right, more and it might get grainy.
Cool Cake Before Icing: Resist the urge to ice a hot cake—that warm steam can melt your icing and make it runny.
Room Temp Ingredients Matter: Using room temperature eggs and butter ensures smooth batter with no lumps.

How to Serve Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe

Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing, fall dessert recipes, moist apple cake, homemade caramel frosting, cozy autumn cakes - A thick square piece of cake with two layers is on a white plate. The bottom layer is light brown and crumbly with bits of soft, paler chunks inside. The top layer is smooth and evenly spread, a darker tan color that looks creamy. A silver fork rests at the edge of the plate next to the cake. The white plate sits against a soft blue cloth, with a white marbled surface barely visible around the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a few toasted chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the caramel icing for a bit of crunch and extra nutty flavor. A light dusting of cinnamon or a few thin apple slices fanned out makes it look extra special, especially when serving guests.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a cozy drink side, I often serve it with hot apple cider or a milky chai tea—it just enhances the warm spices.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered this cake with sliced apples and extra caramel drizzled between layers, turning it into a showstopper. You can also bake it in mini loaf pans for gifting or package slices in pretty boxes as a heartfelt homemade treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days—it stays moist and flavorful. If your kitchen is warmer, storing it in an airtight container in the fridge helps keep the caramel icing intact.

Freezing

Freezing is a smart move if you want to bake ahead. I wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge to keep the texture soft and the icing fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds—it revives the warmth and makes the caramel icing slightly melty, just the way I like it. Oven reheating works too if you want a few slices at once; cover with foil and warm at 300°F for about 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make this Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the butter with a quality plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and substitute the milk in the caramel icing with a dairy-free milk alternative like almond, soy, or oat milk. Just keep the same quantities. The taste remains rich and satisfying.
What’s the best type of apple to use for this recipe?

I usually reach for Granny Smith or Honeycrisp because they hold their shape and add a nice tartness that balances the sweetness of the cake and caramel icing. But feel free to experiment with sweeter varieties like Fuji or Gala if you prefer a softer, sweeter bite.
Can I make this recipe into cupcakes?

Yes! Just divide the batter into cupcake liners and bake for about 18-22 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. The caramel icing will be delicious drizzled over the top or applied as frosting once cooled.
How do I prevent the caramel icing from becoming grainy?

Boiling the butter and brown sugar mixture for exactly 2 minutes while stirring continuously is key—under or overcooking can cause graininess. Also, use fresh ingredients and remove the pan from heat immediately after boiling the milk to keep it smooth.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Icing Recipe is one I keep coming back to because it feels like a special celebration wrapped in everyday simplicity. It’s perfect for family gatherings or a weekend treat that just makes your kitchen smell amazing. If you’re looking to wow yourself and your loved ones with something that tastes like fall in every bite, do yourself a favor and bake this cake—you’ll thank me later!