Description
Enjoy a warm slice of Swedish Apple Cake draped in rich caramel sauce. This moist and flavorful cake combines tender diced apples, aromatic cinnamon and nutmeg, and a buttery crumb topped with a luscious homemade caramel that hardens beautifully after baking. Perfect for cozy afternoons or special occasions, this cake brings comforting fall flavors to your table with a delightful texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 cups diced and peeled apples (about 2 large apples)
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Caramel Sauce
- 1 1/3 cups brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons half & half
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and smooth to create a fluffy base.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold in the diced apples and the optional chopped pecans or walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and smooth the top evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Caramel Sauce: While the cake is baking, combine the brown sugar, half & half, and butter in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Caramel to Cake: Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and pour the caramel sauce evenly over the top of the cake.
- Set Caramel Topping: Return the cake to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the caramel to set and the surface to slightly crack for a delightful texture.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before removing the sides of the springform pan. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute pecans or walnuts with other nuts like almonds if desired.
- For a deeper caramel flavor, consider adding a pinch of sea salt to the caramel sauce before pouring over the cake.
- Apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for baking as they hold shape and add tanginess.
- Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
