Apple Dapple Cake with Creamy Caramel Glaze Recipe
Apple Dapple Cake is a moist, spiced apple cake featuring tender chunks of fresh apples enveloped in a warmly spiced batter with cinnamon and nutmeg. Topped with a rich buttery glaze, this cake is perfect for dessert or a cozy afternoon treat paired with coffee or tea.
- Author: Naya
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 4 cups apples, peeled and chopped into ½-inch chunks
For the Glaze:
- ⅓ cup butter
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter, then set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt to ensure even distribution and remove lumps.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth. Add the vanilla extract, then add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next to emulsify the batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. The batter will be thick, which is expected to help the apples stay suspended.
- Fold in the Apples: Gently fold in the peeled and chopped apples evenly using a spatula or wooden spoon to distribute them throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour batter into the prepared pan, spread evenly, and bake for 50-60 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Make the Glaze: While baking, combine butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until it simmers, then continue for one more minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool about 5 minutes to thicken.
- Glaze the Cake: After baking, let the cake cool 10 minutes in the pan. Pour the warm glaze evenly over the cake so it seeps in and creates a glossy finish.
- Slice and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing to let the glaze set. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour to keep the cake tender.
- The glaze can be made ahead and gently reheated before pouring over the cake.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- This cake pairs excellently with hot coffee or spiced tea.
Keywords: apple cake, spiced cake, glazed apple cake, autumn dessert, cinnamon apple cake