Description
Delectable salted caramel apple sheet cake marries classic fall flavors with irresistible sweetness. Moist apple-studded layers drizzled with rich caramel create a comforting dessert you’ll savor to the last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
- 0.5 cups (120 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 cups (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 0.5 cups (100 g) brown sugar
- 2 cups apples, peeled and finely chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 0.5 cups (120 ml) buttermilk (or 0.5 cups milk + 0.5 tbsps vinegar)
- 1.5 tsps baking powder
- 0.5 tsps baking soda
- 1.5 tsps cinnamon
- 0.5 tsps salt
- 0.5 tsps nutmeg
- 0.5 cups (120 ml) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
- 0.25 cups (60 ml) heavy cream
- 0.5 tsps salt (or more to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (sifted)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.
- Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Wet Mixture: In a large bowl, blend melted butter, oil, granulated and brown sugars until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Liquid Integration: Vigorously mix eggs and vanilla into the sugar mixture, creating a rich, homogeneous base.
- Batter Assembly: Alternate adding buttermilk and dry ingredient mixture, folding gently to maintain a light, airy texture.
- Apple Distribution: Fold chopped apples into the batter, ensuring even placement throughout the mixture.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface, and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cooling Phase: Remove from oven and allow cake to cool completely before applying caramel topping.
- Caramel Creation: In a saucepan, melt butter, then add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly over medium heat for two minutes.
- Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat, whisk in salt and vanilla extract, then gradually mix in powdered sugar until achieving a glossy consistency.
- Final Touch: Drizzle warm caramel glaze evenly over cooled cake, allowing it to set for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Select Precise Apple Varieties: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that maintain structure during baking and provide balanced sweetness.
- Prevent Apple Browning: Toss chopped apples with a splash of lemon juice to prevent oxidation and maintain vibrant color throughout the cake.
- Master Batter Mixing Technique: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a dense, tough cake texture; stir just until ingredients are incorporated for a tender crumb.
- Calibrate Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate heat distribution, preventing uneven baking or potential burning of the cake’s edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg