Salted Caramel Extra-Moist Apple Cake

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Sugars and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the applesauce. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the grated apples and nuts, if using. The batter will be thick but moist.

Step 2: Bake the Cake

1. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan(s) and smooth the top.
2. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes for round pans or 35-40 minutes for a 9×13-inch pan, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce

1. Melt the Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the granulated sugar. Stir continuously until the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color. Be careful not to burn it.
2. Add Butter: Once the sugar has melted, quickly add the cubed butter. The mixture will bubble up, so stir constantly until the butter is melted and combined.
3. Add Heavy Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. The mixture will bubble again, but continue to stir until smooth.
4. Season with Salt: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the sea salt. Let the caramel cool slightly before using.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

1. Layer with Caramel: If you baked round cakes, place one layer on a serving plate and drizzle with salted caramel sauce. Add the second layer and repeat. For a single-layer cake, simply drizzle the top with caramel.
2. Garnish: Optionally, garnish with additional chopped nuts or a sprinkle of sea salt.
3. Slice and Enjoy: Slice the cake and serve warm or at room temperature. This cake pairs beautifully with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat!

Tips for the Perfect Apple Cake

• Apple Selection: Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a more complex flavor. Varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work well.
• Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
• Customize: Feel free to add in other spices like ginger or cloves for added warmth, or mix in some dried fruits for an additional layer of flavor.

Conclusion

The Salted Caramel Extra-Moist Apple Cake is a delightful dessert that will quickly become a favorite in your household. With its rich flavors and moist texture, this cake is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying a quiet evening at home, this cake will bring warmth and joy to your table. So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and indulge in this heavenly treat!