Easiest Fresh Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze

Make the most of autumn with a fresh apple cake covered in homemade caramel sauce.

Caramel apple cake comes together quickly and easily for a weeknight dessert or potluck offering while also being lovely enough for a special occasion.

Use this easy recipe to highlight the fresh apples from your backyard or local apple orchard for a perfect fall treat!

No Fuss

This cake uses melted butter meaning no need to worry about time for softening. The ingredients are already likely on hand in your pantry, too.

It takes a while to bake, but that is obviously hands-off time.

The caramel icing, too, is cooked for ease and as it is simply poured there’s no need to worry about frosting cake layers or making it too fancy.

Apple Type

I know all the experts will say there are better apples for baking versus eating but I generally don’t worry about it too much. I use what grows in my yard and leave it at that.

Use whatever you have on hand. Granny smith will obviously give you a more tart flavor than say the sweet fuji. Still whatever kind of apples you have growing or can find locally will be perfect.

Peeling, Optional

If I’m making this cake for just having at home I generally skip the peeling but chop the apples fairly small.

If I’m making to serve for guests or giving as a gift, I peel and leave larger chunks of apple in the cake.

Both are delicious, neither are right or wrong, it’s just a matter of preference. Feel free to do whatever works for you without apology.

Spice or Not

This cake is delightful without the spice. I personally prefer an apple spice cake but have a few family members who do not like spice. So I’ve made it both ways and it’s excellent, though different, with or without.

Feel free to switch up the warm spices as desired. Simply use apple pie spice instead of the mix listed in the original recipe below. Use cardamom or ginger or instead of the ones I used. Honestly, you can’t go wrong.

Whole Grain Option

Substitute up to 1 cup of the unbleached all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. This gives this cake a delightful whole grain crunch and flavor perfect for cool fall nights. I don’t know that it truly makes it healthier but it is flavorful.

Glaze Ideas

The caramel topping is really delightful on this moist apple cake. The salted butter gives it a slightly salty mix to the sweet that is delicious. Use unsalted butter for less salty flavor, if desired.

You could skip the glaze if desired or even switch it up to chocolate or vanilla.

How to Serve

This is a great dessert because you can keep it as simple or make it as fancy as you’d like.

Serve slices with your favorite hot drink for an easy sweet treat sure to please most anyone.

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it slightly more decadent.

Make it even more over the top by serving with some fresh whipped cream and bits of caramel apple chunks.

How to Store

Keep leftover cake in an airtight container where it should stay fresh for up to 4 days.

For longer term storage, put the cake or slices into freezer containers, wrap in plastic wrap, or place into freezer bags and freeze. Let frozen cake thaw at room temperature prior to serving. Eat up frozen cake within 6 months for best flavor.

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