This Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is the ultimate fall dessert, featuring a moist, spiced apple cake topped with a rich salted caramel glaze. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this easy-to-make sheet cake is packed with fresh apples, warm spices, and a buttery caramel drizzle that takes it to the next level. Serve it at holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as a comforting treat any time of year!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Fall – Combines the best flavors of apples, cinnamon, and caramel.
- Moist & Tender Texture – Thanks to fresh apples and buttermilk, the cake stays soft and delicious.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and no complicated steps.
- Crowd-Pleaser – A great dessert for family gatherings and parties.
- Salted Caramel Goodness – The homemade caramel glaze adds rich, buttery sweetness.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Apple Cake:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg (optional)
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Unsalted butter (melted)
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Vanilla extract
- Apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
For the Salted Caramel Glaze:
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Sea salt
- Powdered sugar
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch sheet cake pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat melted butter, sugars, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 2: Make the Salted Caramel Glaze
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla and sea salt. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
- Once the cake has cooled slightly, pour the warm salted caramel glaze over the top, spreading evenly.
- Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12-16 slices
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Variations
- Nutty Caramel Apple Cake – Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Spiced Apple Cake – Increase the cinnamon and add a pinch of cloves or allspice.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Option – Swap caramel glaze for a tangy cream cheese frosting.
- Gluten-Free Version – Use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Extra Caramel Drizzle – Drizzle additional caramel sauce before serving for extra indulgence.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze without the glaze for up to 2 months. Thaw and add caramel before serving.
- Reheating: Warm slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to soften the caramel.
FAQs
Can I use different types of apples?
Yes! Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji apples work well.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake the cake a day ahead and add the caramel glaze before serving.
How do I prevent my cake from being dry?
Use buttermilk for moisture and don’t overbake the cake.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes, but homemade caramel glaze adds a richer flavor.
What’s the best way to cut clean slices?
Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes, then use a sharp knife for even cuts.
Can I make this into cupcakes?
Yes! Bake in cupcake liners for about 18-20 minutes.
How do I make the caramel glaze thicker?
Add more powdered sugar or let it cool slightly before pouring.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and almond milk instead of buttermilk.
Do I need a stand mixer for this recipe?
No! A hand whisk or electric mixer works fine.
Can I add a streusel topping?
Yes! A cinnamon-sugar streusel on top adds extra texture and flavor.
Conclusion
This Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is a must-try for fall! With its moist, spiced apple cake and rich caramel glaze, it’s an irresistible dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing. Bake a batch today and enjoy a taste of autumn in every bite!
PrintSalted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
This Salted Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is ultra-moist, packed with warm spices, and filled with tender apples. Topped with a homemade salted caramel glaze, this easy sheet cake is perfect for feeding a crowd at family gatherings, potlucks, or holidays!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 tbsp vinegar)
- 2 cups apples, peeled and finely chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
For the Salted Caramel Glaze:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp salt (or more to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
- Stir in buttermilk, then gradually fold in the dry ingredients.
- Gently fold in chopped apples until evenly distributed.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before adding the glaze.
2. Make the Salted Caramel Glaze:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in brown sugar and heavy cream.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and whisk in salt and vanilla extract.
- Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Glaze & Serve:
- Pour the warm caramel glaze over the cooled cake, spreading evenly.
- Let set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve as is or with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast or Honeycrisp for a sweeter flavor.
- If you prefer a thinner glaze, reduce the powdered sugar or add an extra tablespoon of heavy cream.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.