Spice Up Your Fall with a Delicious Caramel Apple Cake

Caramel apples are one of the first things that come to mind when I think of fall. If this sugary treat is a favorite of yours as well, you’ll love this caramel apple spice cake!

Fall is absolutely my favorite season of the year, and with that, comes a lot of baking! There are so many flavors and dishes that play into the warmth and coziness of the season that I find it hard to not spend all day in the kitchen. I wanted to put together a few fall themed cakes this year and caramel apple was a must!

I love my boxed cake mixes but have recently been looking for a way to doctor them up a bit. I read that you can get them to taste like bakery cakes if you switch it up just a bit, like adding sour cream?? It sounded weird to me but the results were amazing! I used Midget Momma’s boxed mix hack for this recipe and I will definitely be using it again!

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply embracing the spirit of autumn, this caramel apple cake will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on your guests. So dust off your baking tools, put on your apron, and get ready to spice up your fall with a slice of heaven.

If cheesecake is more your style, make sure you check out my caramel apple cheesecake recipe!

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Caramel Apple Spice Cake

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Pecan Cake Mix
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 dash salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp vanilla

Filling

• 1 can apple pie filling

Vanilla Buttercream Icing

• 3 sticks butter (room temp)
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 splash vanilla extract

Caramel Sauce

• The recipe I used is from Baked By An Introvert. The link to that post is below this recipe.

Instructions

Cake

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another.

2. Slowly add the mixed dry ingredients to your wet ingredients until all is combined.

3. Follow baking instructions on back of cake box. (My oven is off by an outrageous amount so I can't honestly say what temperature I was at and for how long.)

Vanilla Buttercream Icing

1. Beat the butter until whipped.

2. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until all is combined.

3. Add the vanilla extract.

4. You can keep adding powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. If it's too thick, add a tablespoon of milk.

Creating the Cake

1. Once the layers have cooled, add a layer of frosting to the top of your first layer and smooth out.

2. Build a wall of icing around the edge of the cake. Make sure this wall is tall and thick enough to hold in your apple pie filling.

3. Add a layer of apple pie filling, drizzle with caramel sauce and top with the next cake layer.

4. Continue this process for the rest of the layers.

5. Frost the rest of the cake and then add caramel sauce to the top, letting it run down the cake. You can add other garnishes such as apple slices to the top.

Homemade Caramel – Baked By An Introvert

Creating a Showstopper: Decorating Your Caramel Apple Cake

Now for the fun part: decorating! One way to enhance the visual appeal of your cake is by adding a beautiful caramel covering across the top. Since I have a huge sweet tooth for frosting, I’ve always considered “naked” cakes halfway done. My tune changed for this cake! Between the thick wall of frosting separating the layers, to the thick caramel topping, there was plenty of sugar to go around!

Another option to consider is decorating your cake with fresh apple slices. Not only does this add a pop of color to the overall presentation, but it also reinforces the flavor profile of the cake. Thinly sliced apple rounds can be arranged in a circular pattern on top of the cake or strategically placed along the sides for an elegant touch. To prevent the apple slices from browning, simply brush them with a light coating of lemon juice before placing them on the cake.

If you want to take your caramel apple cake decoration to the next level, consider incorporating autumnal elements such as dried fall leaves or edible gold leaf. Arrange the delicate leaves around the base of the cake or gently press them onto the sides for a whimsical and organic touch. Edible gold leaf, on the other hand, can be delicately placed on top of the caramel drizzle or sprinkled sparingly on the sides to add a touch of elegance and luxury.

By investing a little extra time and effort into the visual presentation of your caramel apple cake, you can create a showstopping dessert that will not only impress your loved ones but also make them feel truly special. So let your imagination run wild and experiment with different decorating techniques to create a cake that not only satisfies their taste buds but also captures the essence of autumn in every delicious bite.

If you’re a visual learner (like myself), below are some in progress photos that may help you visualize my instructions!

Taking the Easy Route: Making Apple Cake with a Box Mix

If you’re short on time or prefer a fuss-free approach, you can still enjoy the deliciousness of an apple cake by using a box mix. While some may argue that homemade is always better, there are times when convenience and simplicity win out. Opting for a box mix allows you to skip some of the time-consuming steps involved in making a cake from scratch, providing a quicker route to a delectable fall dessert.

To make apple cake with a box mix, start by gathering the ingredients listed on the box. Typically, you’ll need the mix itself, eggs, water, and oil. You can also enhance the apple flavor by incorporating some freshly grated apples or apple sauce. Follow the instructions on the box, mixing everything together until well combined. The result will be a fragrant batter infused with the delightful taste of apples.

Once your cake batter is ready, prepare your baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan, ensuring it is evenly spread. As it bakes, the aroma of apples will waft through your kitchen, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

While your cake is in the oven, you can prepare the caramel sauce to drizzle on top. You can either make your own caramel from scratch or opt for a store-bought version. Either way, the sweet, buttery caramel will perfectly complement the apple flavors in the cake.

Once the cake is done baking and has cooled, you can unleash your creativity in decorating it to truly bring out the fall spirit. Consider incorporating autumnal elements such as dried fall leaves or edible gold leaf. These extra touches will not only impress your loved ones but also make them feel truly special on their fall birthday. Arrange the delicate leaves around the base of the cake or gently press them onto the sides for a whimsical and organic touch. Alternatively, edible gold leaf can be delicately placed on top of the caramel drizzle or sprinkled sparingly on the sides to add a touch of elegance and luxury.

In conclusion, the delectable caramel apple cake is the perfect way to infuse your fall baking with excitement. With its warm spices and gooey caramel topping, this dessert will leave everyone buzzing with delight. Whether you’re decorating it to be a showstopper or surprising a loved one with a fall birthday cake, this treat is sure to impress. So don’t wait any longer – grab your baking tools and let your creativity soar as you indulge in the flavors of fall. Spice up your autumn with a mouthwatering caramel apple cake and let the sweet aroma fill your home.

If you’re looking for another fall inspired cake, check out my chocolate S’mores Bonfire Cake.