Name: Caramel Apple Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups (180g) all-purpose flour; ¾ tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, softened; ⅔ cup (145g) packed dark brown sugar; 1 tsp (5ml) pure vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; ⅔ cup (160ml) full fat plain yogurt; 3 cups (300g) chopped tart apples, peeled and cored, cut into small ½-inch cubes, divided; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; 1 ½ tbsp granulated sugar; ¼ tsp ground cinnamon; About 2 tbsp caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling before serving

If you’re on the hunt for a truly cozy dessert that screams fall comfort, you’re going to adore this Caramel Apple Cake Recipe. I absolutely love how this cake balances soft, moist vanilla brown sugar cake with tart cinnamon-spiced apples and a luscious drizzle of caramel on top. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a family favorite — the kind of treat you don’t want to share but will, because it’s just that good! Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every detail so your Caramel Apple Cake turns out perfectly every time.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You likely already have everything on hand, but the combination creates a moist, tender cake bursting with apple and caramel goodness.
Perfect Fall Dessert: The cinnamon and tart apples evoke that warm, comforting feeling you crave on chilly days.
No Fuss but Impressive: Even if you’re not a baker, the method is straightforward and rewarding.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Great for family dinners, potlucks, or a sweet everyday treat.

The image shows four thick square pieces of apple cake stacked on each other on a white marbled surface. Each piece has a light brown, porous texture with visible chunks of apple inside and apple slices on top. The top layer is covered in a shiny, caramel brown sauce that drips down the sides of the cake pieces. In the background, there are red apples and a glass jar filled with caramel sauce, slightly blurred. The lighting highlights the moist texture of the cake and the glossy caramel sauce photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Cake, fall dessert recipes, apple cake with caramel, cozy autumn desserts, easy apple cake recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

This cake combines pantry staples with fresh apples and creamy yogurt to keep it moist. Choosing crisp, tart apples is key—they add just the right contrast to the sweetness.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small pile of baking powder and baking soda sprinkled neatly nearby on the same plate, a square of softened unsalted butter placed on a white dish, a small white bowl filled with packed dark brown sugar, a tiny white bowl with pure vanilla extract, two large whole uncracked brown eggs sitting side by side, a small white bowl holding creamy full fat plain yogurt, three peeled and cored medium tart apples cut into small half-inch cubes arranged symmetrically on a white plate, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, and a small white bowl containing granulated sugar, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Caramel Apple Cake, fall dessert recipes, apple cake with caramel, cozy autumn desserts, easy apple cake recipe

All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect cake structure without being too dense.
Baking powder: Helps the cake rise and get that light crumb.
Baking soda: Reacts with yogurt for extra tenderness.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
Unsalted butter: Use softened so it creams easily for a fluffier texture.
Dark brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes—don’t skip this!
Pure vanilla extract: Boosts overall flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
Large eggs: Bind everything together for a rich cake.
Full-fat plain yogurt: Keeps the cake moist and tender, with a subtle tanginess.
Chopped tart apples: Granny Smith or similar apples work best for that balanced tartness.
Ground cinnamon: Sprinkled into the batter and topping for that classic apple spice touch.
Granulated sugar: Mixed with cinnamon to create a crisp topping.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m all for tweaking recipes to fit your tastes or what’s in your kitchen. This Caramel Apple Cake Recipe is super forgiving, so feel free to get creative with it and make it your own!

Use different apples: I sometimes swap in Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for a sweeter or milder flavor; just make sure they’re firm to hold up in the cake.
Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour and add an extra egg for structure—I’ve had great results this way.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon for a warmer, more complex flavor profile.
Sweetener swaps: You can swap dark brown sugar for coconut sugar for a slightly different caramel note and a more natural option.
Caramel sauce homemade: I often make my own salted caramel sauce to drizzle on top for that fresh-from-scratch feeling, but store-bought works well too in a pinch.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting it hang over the edges by about 2 inches on each side—this makes lifting the cake out a breeze after baking. If you don’t have parchment, grease the pan well.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything’s evenly combined. This ensures your leavening is spread out, giving you that beautiful rise and tender crumb.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Grab a separate bowl and beat the softened butter, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes on medium-high speed. This step is key to getting a light, fluffy cake base. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping the bowl’s sides and bottom to keep everything smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Alternate Flour and Yogurt

Reduce mixer speed to low, and add half the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Next, add the yogurt, stirring again gently. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and fold it in carefully—you want a few streaks of flour to keep the batter tender and avoid overmixing.

Step 5: Toss Apples and Add to Batter

Toss 2 cups of the chopped tart apples with ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon—this extra step spices the apples beautifully. Gently fold them into the batter so the apples are evenly distributed without crushing them.

Step 6: Assemble and Add Topping

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, then scatter the remaining 1 cup of cinnamon-tossed apples on top. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce over this apple layer. To finish, mix 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle that over everything—it creates a sweet, crunchy topping once baked.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a skewer or toothpick in the center—it should come out clean or with just moist crumbs attached. Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let it cool for at least an hour. Once cooled, drizzle more caramel sauce over the cake for that addictive finishing touch.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Caramel Apple Cake Recipe

Use Tart Apples: I’ve learned that tart apples like Granny Smith keep their shape and add needed acidity to balance the cake’s sweetness.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Folding the last bit of flour just until streaks remain keeps the cake tender and moist—I used to overmix and ended up with dense cake!
Layer Apples Smartly: Tossing apples in cinnamon before adding them intensifies the flavor, and adding some on top gives great texture contrast.
Watch Baking Time: Start checking at 35 minutes—overbaking dries it out, and every oven is different. A clean toothpick test is your best bet.

How to Serve Caramel Apple Cake Recipe

A thick square slice of apple cake shows two visible layers: the bottom is a light brown soft cake base with apple chunks inside, and the top layer is covered with thin apple slices partially lengthened by a messy layer of glossy caramel sauce dripping down the sides. The cake sits on white marbled surface sprinkled with crumbs, small apple chunks, and thin apple slices nearby. The background shows more similar cake slices out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Cake, fall dessert recipes, apple cake with caramel, cozy autumn desserts, easy apple cake recipe

Garnishes

I love drizzling extra caramel sauce on top right before serving—it adds that glossy, sticky sweetness everyone adores. Sometimes, a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream elevates it into something really special, especially for guests.

Side Dishes

Pair this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a small bowl of spiced chai tea to bring out the apple and cinnamon flavors. I’ve also served it alongside a hot cup of coffee or milky latte for a cozy afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For fall parties, I’ve dusted the finished cake with finely chopped toasted pecans and a light caramel drizzle to make it look extra decadent. You can also cut it into bite-size squares and serve on a wooden board with fresh apple slices for a charming rustic dessert platter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keeping it out avoids sogginess from the fridge, and it stays deliciously moist and flavorful.

Freezing

When I want to prep ahead, I freeze slices wrapped in parchment paper and then placed in freezer bags. This cake freezes well for up to 3 months. To enjoy, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and bring it to room temp before serving.

Reheating

Warm a slice in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to revive that fresh-baked warmth, or pop it in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. I find reheating just right enhances the caramel and brings back that soft cake texture.

FAQs

What type of apples are best for a Caramel Apple Cake Recipe?

Tart apples like Granny Smith or Bramley work best because they hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the cake and caramel.
Can I make this cake dairy-free or vegan?

You can swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free yogurt, but achieving the exact texture can be tricky. For eggs, flaxseed or chia eggs might work, but expect a denser result. I recommend experimenting if you want to adapt this recipe to your dietary needs.
Do I have to use caramel sauce?

While the caramel drizzle adds a wonderful, rich sweetness, the cake will still be delicious without it. You can also substitute with a caramel-flavored glaze or even a simple dusting of cinnamon sugar, but I highly recommend trying it with caramel at least once!
How long will this cake stay fresh?

Kept at room temperature in an airtight container, the cake stays fresh for about 2 days. Beyond that, I recommend refrigerating or freezing to retain moisture and freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Caramel Apple Cake Recipe is one of those gems I turn to whenever I want to impress loved ones with a minimal fuss dessert that doesn’t skimp on flavor. The way the tart apples play against the caramel and soft brown sugar cake feels like a warm hug on a plate. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making (and eating!) this cake as much as my family and I do. So grab your apples, preheat that oven, and dive in — you’re about to create a dessert that might just become your new go-to for cozy celebrations or simple everyday happiness.