Description
Warm spices dance through this classic apple pecan cake with caramel glaze, bringing Southern comfort to your dessert table. Buttery pecans and sweet caramel create a rich, indulgent experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups peeled, chopped apples
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Flavoring:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with a light grease coating to prevent sticking.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring all dry ingredients are well combined and free of lumps.
- Cream melted butter with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly fluffy.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, then blend in vanilla extract until the wet ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a uniform cake batter without overmixing.
- Gently fold chopped apples and roughly chopped pecans into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and ensure an even surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- While the cake bakes, prepare the caramel glaze by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then stirring in brown sugar and milk.
- Bring the caramel mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for approximately 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Remove the caramel from heat and quickly stir in vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile.
- Once the cake is removed from the oven, immediately drizzle the warm caramel glaze over the top, allowing it to seep into the cake’s surface.
- Allow the cake to cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving, enabling the glaze to set slightly.
Notes
- Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend to make this cake suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Replace pecans with sunflower seeds or omit nuts entirely for a nut-free version without compromising texture.
- Chop apples into small, uniform pieces to ensure even distribution and prevent dry spots in the cake.
- Stir the glaze constantly while simmering to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, silky consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 333 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg