The Ultimate Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe

My grandmother’s secret apple pecan cake recipe brings comfort straight from her Southern kitchen.

Warm spices and nutty pecans create an irresistible combination that feels like a sweet embrace.

Fragrant cinnamon weaves through tender cake layers, promising delightful moments of pure indulgence.

Crisp apples add unexpected brightness to each delectable bite.

caramel glaze drizzled generously transforms this humble dessert into something truly spectacular.

Baking this cake will fill your home with incredible aromas that remind you of cherished family gatherings.

You’ll want to slice into this masterpiece and savor every single crumb.

Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Overview

• Savor Seasonal Comfort: Packed with warm apples and crunchy pecans, this cake captures the essence of cozy autumn flavors that comfort and delight.
• Master Baking with Ease: Straightforward ingredients and simple mixing technique make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or weekend treats, this cake impresses with its rich caramel glaze and homemade charm that everyone will love.
• Customize Your Cake: Adaptable recipe allows for personal touches like swapping nuts or adding extra spices, making it a versatile dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients for Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze

• Cooking Oil: Provides moisture and richness to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide structure to the cake.
• Flour: Forms the fundamental base of the cake's structure.

• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to complement the apples.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Apples: Provide natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Pecans: Add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.

• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the other flavors.

• Butter: Creates a rich, smooth base for the glaze.
• Brown Sugar, Milk: Combine to form the classic caramel sauce.

How to Prepare Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 325°F (163°C). Generously grease a tube pan or two loaf pans with butter or cooking spray, then dust with flour to help the cake slide out effortlessly after baking.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

• Cooking oil
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Salt

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing.

Step 3: Enhance the Flavor

• Chopped apples
• Chopped pecans

Ensure these delicious add-ins are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan(s). Slide into the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour.

Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. When it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Step 5: Craft the Caramel Glaze

• Brown sugar
• Milk

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Stir constantly for 10 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract.

Let it cool just enough to remain pourable.

Step 6: Drizzle and Serve

Once the cake has cooled slightly, pour the caramel glaze over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides for a mouth-watering, rustic finish.

Tips for Perfect Apple Pecan Cake Glaze

• Toss chopped apples in a bit of lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent discoloration during mixing and baking.
• Rotate the cake pan halfway through cooking to guarantee uniform heat distribution and prevent uneven browning.
• Let caramel glaze cool for 5-10 minutes before pouring to achieve the perfect drizzling texture without being too runny or too thick.
• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to the batter to intensify their rich, nutty taste and bring out deeper flavors.
• Wrap cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain moisture and freshness.

Variations to Enjoy With Apple Pecan Cake

• Gluten-Free Apple Pecan Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.
• Vegan Apple Spice Cake: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of cooking oil, and swap dairy milk with almond milk for a plant-based alternative that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Low-Sugar Apple Pecan Delight: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated sugar, reduce overall sweetness while keeping the cake's essential apple and pecan essence intact.
• Nutty Alternative Cake: Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty dimension, allowing flexibility for those with specific nut preferences or availability constraints.

Pairing Ideas for Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze

• Create a cozy autumn experience by serving the apple pecan cake alongside a steaming mug of homemade spiced apple cider, enhancing the cake's warming cinnamon and apple notes.
• Add a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream next to each slice, providing a cool, smooth contrast to the cake's rich caramel glaze and nutty pecan texture.
• Elevate the dessert experience with a salted caramel latte that mirrors the cake's caramel undertones and provides a luxurious, indulgent pairing that amplifies the cake's sweet complexity.

Storage Guidelines for Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze

• Store the apple pecan cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and preserve moisture.
• Carefully wrap the entire unglazed cake in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Cut individual cake slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months for quick single-serving treats.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Yes, you can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds. Just chop them to a similar size to ensure even distribution in the cake batter.

• Is this cake suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

The recipe contains eggs, dairy, and gluten, so it may not be ideal for those with specific dietary needs. Consider alternative ingredients or substitutions if you have allergies.

• How do I know if my cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean without any wet batter, the cake is done. Start checking around the 50-minute mark to prevent overbaking.

Apple Pecan Cake With Caramel Glaze Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze brings warmth of autumn kitchens to your table. Delicate spices, crunchy pecans, and rich caramel drizzle promise a delightful dessert experience you’ll savor with each memorable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely chopped (about 3/4 apples)
• 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooking oil
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup whole milk

Spices and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 325F (163C), coating a tube pan or two loaf pans with grease and flour to prevent sticking during baking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk cooking oil, granulated sugar, and eggs until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Separately sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain batter integrity.
4. Enhance flavor profile by blending in vanilla extract.
5. Gently fold chopped apples and pecans throughout batter, ensuring even distribution for consistent taste and texture.
6. Transfer batter into prepared pan(s), positioning in preheated oven.
7. Bake approximately 1 hour, monitoring doneness around 50-minute mark by inserting a toothpick. A clean toothpick indicates complete baking.
8. For caramel glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
9. Introduce brown sugar and milk, bringing mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce to simmer, stirring continuously for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
10. Remove from heat, incorporating vanilla extract. Allow glaze to cool to a pourable consistency.
11. Once cake has cooled slightly, drizzle caramel glaze across top, allowing elegant drips along sides for a rustic presentation.

Notes

• Prevent apple browning by tossing chopped apples in a bit of lemon juice before adding to the batter to maintain their fresh color and prevent oxidation.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake remains moist and tender.
• Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a deeper, more complex taste profile to the cake.
• Create a dairy-free version by using coconut milk in the caramel glaze and replacing butter with a neutral vegetable oil that maintains the cake’s rich moisture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 389 kcal
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 53 mg