Fresh Apple Cake
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With its brown sugar-infused base and beautifully arranged apple slices, this Fresh Apple Cake promises both delight and admiration. Drizzled with apple bourbon caramel sauce, this cake tells a story of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. While perfect for fall, this is a winning dessert recipe for any time of the year.
With apple season on the horizon, I keep thinking of all the delicious apple recipes I want to make. While I’ve made dozens here on Inspired by Charm, I thought a new recipe was in order so I decided to make Fresh Apple Cake. I actually found this cake via Southern Living, so I have to give them a shout-out for inspiration. (Side note … Southern Living has recently become one of my favorite new-to-me magazines. Highly recommended.)
I actually baked this cake in partnership with Yankee Candle. They wanted to highlight their MacIntosh candle and I felt this Fresh Apple Cake paired perfectly with the crisp apple scent. The combination of the two turned out to be so lovely!
Sweet, spiced, and with a subtle hint of boozy goodness, this is a dessert recipe you are going to love!
Why You’ll Love This Cake
- Simple Yet Stunning: The elegance of this fresh apple cake is in its presentation. The decorative layered swirl pattern of the cooked sliced apples makes for a centerpiece that’s as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate.
- A Symphony of Flavors: Infused with brown sugar and cinnamon and crowned with an apple bourbon caramel drizzle, this cake promises a dance of sweet, spicy, and rich flavors in every bite.
- Effortlessly Easy: Perfect for both the novice baker and the seasoned chef, this recipe is delightfully straightforward, ensuring your baking journey is both fun and fruitful.
- Seasonal Perfection: While apples are traditionally celebrated in autumn, this cake brings their beauty and flavor to the forefront all year long. It’s like a slice of fall, anytime you desire.
If you’re looking for more apple recipes to make this fall, check out this collection of my best apple recipes. A few of my favorites include this homemade apple strudel, caramel apple martini, and cinnamon roll apple pie!
Ingredients
The ingredient list for this Fresh Apple Cake is fairly basic with just a couple of exceptions. My guess is that most of these items will already be stocked in your kitchen.
- butter
- brown sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- kosher salt
- ground cinnamon
- baking soda
- buttermilk
- apples (I used Honeycrisp)
- cornstarch
- heavy cream
- apple brandy
- confectioners’ sugar
How To Make
Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, you’re ready to make and bake this Fresh Apple Cake. I’ll walk you through the easy steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round pan with baking spray and set aside.
- Beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Beat until just combined. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toss the apples with brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the apple mixture and saute for five minutes or until the apples are golden. Chill completely.
- Arrange the apples over the cooled cake.
- Make the caramel sauce in a saucepan by bringing brown sugar, butter, pinch of salt and heavy cream to a boil, whisking constantly for one minute.
- Remove from heat; stir in the apple brandy. Gradually whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until the mixture begins to cool and thickens slightly. Spoon over the cooled cake.
And that’s it! Now all that’s left to do is slice, serve, and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Another reason that I love this cake is that you can customize it with additional flavors and ingredients. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Nutty Apple: Stir a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added texture and a nutty twist.
- Apple-Cranberry Fusion: Introduce a tart element by layering in fresh or dried cranberries with apple slices on top.
- Chocolate Chip Indulgence: Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a delightful chocolatey bite. Chocolate and apple might seem unusual, but they can be a fantastic combination!
- Cream Cheese-Filled Apple Cake: Before adding the apple slices, spread a layer of sweetened cream cheese mixture on top of the baked cake. Then, layer the apple slices and drizzle the caramel.
Frequently Asked Questions
I tried to anticipate some of the questions you may have while making/baking this cake. If you have additional questions, please leave them in the comment section below.
Can I use any apple variety for this cake?
While most apples will work, it’s best to use a firmer variety like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn. These types hold up well during baking and offer a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.
I don’t have apple bourbon. Can I substitute it?
Yes, you can use regular bourbon or even rum. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, apple juice or apple cider can be used, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
How do I store leftover cake?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container (or wrapped in plastic wrap) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
My cake isn’t rising as expected. What might have gone wrong?
Ensure that your baking powder or baking soda is fresh. Also, make sure you’re following the recipe measurements accurately and not overmixing the batter.
More Apple Recipes You May Enjoy
- Homemade Apple Strudel
- German Apple Cake
- Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies
- Caramel Apple Muffins
- Apple Fritter Bread
With its harmonious blend of seasonal flavors and stunning presentation, this Fresh Apple Cake is a winning dessert recipe you’re going to love! If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Fresh Apple Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1⅓ cups packed brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup buttermilk
Apple Topping
- 6 apples cored and sliced (I used Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Apple Brandy Caramel
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon apple brandy
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round pan with baking spray and set aside.
- Beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Beat until just combined. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toss the apples with brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the apple mixture and saute for five minutes or until the apples are golden. Chill completely.
- Arrange the apples over the cooled cake.
- Make the caramel sauce in a saucepan by bringing the brown sugar, butter, pinch of salt, and heavy cream to a boil, whisking constantly for one minute.
- Remove from heat; stir in the apple brandy. Gradually whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until the mixture begins to cool and thickens slightly. Spoon over the cooled cake.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
This was dry as dust. Just awful! The recipe states that we should use a 9 inch cake pan, but from the photos it is pretty clear that a tart pan was used. Much better idea, since the dome of the cake in a regular pan was too high to nicely arrange the apples. Three separate cooking processes and my household voted NO to adding this to the book of favorites. A shame since it seemed like a great recipe.
So sorry you didn’t enjoy the recipe, Annie. Thanks for your feedback.
xo Michael
This looks and sound delish! Definitely need to try! Pinned and sharing!
Beautiful and delicious looking cake! Did you use a fluted tart pan for you cake? I’d love a link to the pan you used if possible. Thank you!