Fresh Apple Cake With Caramel Frosting

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 08/12/19
Apple cake with caramel frosting

GM Visuals / Getty Images

 

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 55 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 12 to 16 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
659 Calories
36g Fat
84g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 to 16
Amount per serving
Calories 659
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 46%
Saturated Fat 7g 33%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 449mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 84g 31%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Protein 5g
Calcium 103mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Make this homemade apple cake with chopped or grated fresh apples and lots of chopped pecans. Brown sugar, confectioners sugar, and butter make a yummy caramel flavored frosting for this moist, delicious cake. Feel free to use chopped walnuts in the cake if you'd like.

A basic vanilla frosting is another option for the cake, or top it with cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil (or neutral flavor oils like canola, corn oil, or safflower)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 1/2 cups flour (11 1/4 ounces)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3 cups finely chopped raw apples (or grated)
  • For the Frosting:
  • 1/2 cup butter (4 ounces)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 3 tablespoons milk (or more, as needed)
  • 1 (1 lb) box confectioners sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

  2. Lightly grease a 9x13x2 inch baking pan and then line it with parchment or wax paper. Grease the paper. 

  3. Measure the vegetable oil into a large mixing bowl.

  4. Add the granulated sugar and eggs. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat until creamy. Beat in vanilla. 

  5. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

  6. Add the flour in small amounts, beating well after each addition. When all flour has been added, or when batter becomes very stiff, remove the electric mixer and begin stirring by hand.

  7. Fold in chopped pecans and chopped apples.

  8. Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.

  9. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.

  10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Carefully loosen edges and turn it out onto a cake rack, remove wax paper, cool and frost.

Make the Frosting

  1. In a saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar together; place the pan over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly.

  2. Remove the pan from the heat; add 3 tablespoons milk and 1 box of confectioners sugar. Beat and add just enough milk to spread.

 

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