Description
Homemade Apple Pecan Cake delivers comfort and warmth in each delectable slice. Caramel glaze cascades over moist layers, creating a southern-inspired dessert where sweet meets nutty for an irresistible autumn indulgence you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
Additional Ingredients:
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Glaze Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C). Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with grease and flour, or line with parchment paper for seamless cake removal.
- Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl, whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly integrated. Reserve this mixture.
- Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 2 minutes.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, thoroughly mixing after each addition. Gently fold in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Gradually introduce dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with diced apples and chopped pecans. Blend carefully to maintain batter integrity, avoiding overmixing.
- Transfer batter into prepared cake pan, distributing evenly across the surface. Bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center. Allow cake to rest in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Craft caramel glaze by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Introduce brown sugar and bring to a boil, stirring periodically. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then gradually whisk in heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue simmering until glaze reaches a slightly thickened consistency. Remove from heat and let rest momentarily.
- Once cake has completely cooled, generously drizzle warm caramel glaze across the top, allowing it to cascade elegantly down the sides for a visually appealing and decadent finish.
Notes
- Swap apples for pears or plums to create exciting seasonal variations that keep the recipe versatile and fresh.
- Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and add deeper complexity to the cake’s overall taste profile.
- Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to ensure smoother mixing and more consistent cake texture.
- Consider reducing sugar by 25% if using sweeter apple varieties like Gala or Fuji to balance the dessert’s sweetness level.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg