Description

A stunning four-layer spiced apple cake made with fresh apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger, layered with silky caramel buttercream, and finished with a caramel drip and apple slice garnish. This Caramel Apple Spice Cake is the ultimate autumn showstopper for holiday gatherings, weddings, or any special celebration.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground ginger
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
½ cup (120 g) applesauce
4 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 cup (240 ml) milk
3 cups (360 g) chopped apples

Caramel Buttercream:

2 cups (452 g) unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup (120 ml) caramel sauce
2 tsp cinnamon
3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar

Decoration:

Extra caramel sauce for drip
Apple slices for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease four 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, oil, applesauce, and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until combined.
Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to wet mixture, starting and ending with dry. Fold in chopped apples.
Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
For the frosting: Beat butter, vanilla, caramel sauce, and cinnamon until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
Level cooled cake layers. Spread buttercream between each layer. Apply a crumb coat, chill 15 minutes, then frost the entire cake.
Drizzle caramel sauce around the edges for a drip effect and garnish with apple slices just before serving.

Notes

Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for best flavor.

Ensure cake is fully cooled before frosting.

For extra caramel flavor, brush each cake layer with caramel sauce before frosting.

Let caramel drip cool to a slow-flowing consistency before applying.

Add apple garnish at the last minute to prevent browning.

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American