Irresistibly Moist Caramel Apple Bundt Cake with Homemade Glaze

Indulge in the ultimate fall dessert with this incredibly moist and tender Caramel Apple Bundt Cake. Each bite offers a delightful burst of fruity sweetness from chopped apples, perfectly complemented by a rich, buttery homemade caramel glaze. This stunning cake is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, making it an ideal centerpiece for any gathering.

There’s something uniquely charming about bundt cakes. They possess an elegant presentation that makes them look far more complex than they actually are to prepare. This inherent ease, combined with their crowd-pleasing appeal, makes them a fantastic choice for any occasion – from festive holiday dinners and casual potlucks to a simple yet luxurious dessert after a wonderful meal. The moment this Caramel Apple Bundt Cake starts baking, your kitchen will be enveloped in the comforting, irresistible aroma of warm cinnamon and caramelized apples, setting a cozy atmosphere and building anticipation for that first glorious slice. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can create such a decadent dessert; every forkful promises pure comfort and joy.

Why You’ll Adore This Caramel Apple Bundt Cake

• **Unmatched Moisture:** The combination of oil, eggs, and fresh apples ensures a super moist crumb that stays tender for days.
• **Rich Caramel Glaze:** A luscious, homemade caramel sauce generously drizzled over the cake adds a layer of buttery sweetness that is simply divine.
• **Perfectly Spiced:** Warm cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of the apples, creating a balanced and inviting flavor profile.
• **Seasonal Favorite:** Apples and caramel are a classic pairing, making this bundt cake the quintessential fall and winter dessert.
• **Impressive Presentation, Easy Preparation:** Bundt cakes always look fancy, but this recipe is surprisingly straightforward, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• **Crowd-Pleasing:** With 12 servings, it’s ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or holiday celebrations.

Choosing the Best Apples for Your Bundt Cake

The type of apple you choose can significantly impact the flavor and texture of your cake. For this Caramel Apple Bundt Cake, we recommend apples that hold their shape well during baking and offer a balance of sweetness and tartness.

• **Granny Smith:** These are a fantastic choice if you love a tart contrast to the sweet caramel glaze. They maintain their firm texture beautifully when baked.
• **Honeycrisp:** Known for their crisp texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor, Honeycrisp apples are a popular choice for baking. They add a lovely juiciness to the cake.
• **Fuji:** Sweet and firm, Fuji apples also work wonderfully. They contribute a mild sweetness that blends seamlessly with the other flavors.
• **Braeburn or Gala:** These varieties also offer a good balance of sweetness and firmness, making them suitable alternatives.

You can even combine two types of apples, such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, to achieve a more complex flavor profile with varied textures in every bite.

Caramel Apple Bundt Cake

A delicious and easy apple bundt cake with a rich homemade caramel sauce, perfect for an after-dinner treat or simply because you crave something sweet.

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Course:
Cakes, Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Diet:
Halal

Prep Time:

30 minutes
minutes

Cook Time:

50 minutes
minutes

Cool down:

15 minutes
minutes

Total Time:

1 hour
hour
35 minutes
minutes

Servings:

12
servings

Calories:

360
kcal

Author:

Amira

Equipment

• 1 bundt cake pan

Ingredients

For the Bundt Cake:

• 1
  cup
  light brown sugar
  (135g)
• ½
  cup
  granulated sugar
  (100g)
• 1¼
  cup
  vegetable oil
• 3
  large eggs
  room temperature
• 1
  teaspoon
  vanilla extract
• 3
  cups
  all-purpose flour
  (360g)
• ½
  teaspoon
  baking soda
• 2
  teaspoons
  baking powder
• 2
  teaspoons
  ground cinnamon
• ½
  teaspoon
  salt
• 1
  lb
  Granny Smith apples
  cored, peeled and diced

For the Caramel Sauce:

• 1
  cup
  granulated sugar
• ¼
  cup
  water
• 6
  Tablespoons
  unsalted butter
• ½
  cup
  heavy cream
• pinch of salt

Instructions

For the Caramel Apple Bundt Cake:

1. **Prepare the Pan and Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour a 9-inch bundt pan to ensure easy release. Alternatively, use a high-quality baking spray with flour.
2. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, room temperature eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. **Whisk Dry Ingredients:** In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or by hand until just combined and the flour streaks disappear. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
5. **Fold in Apples:** Gently fold the diced Granny Smith (or chosen) apples into the batter using a spatula. Make sure the apples are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
6. **Bake the Cake:** Spoon the batter evenly into your prepared bundt pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
7. **Cooling:** Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the bundt pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes before inverting it onto the rack to cool completely. This crucial step prevents the cake from breaking apart.

Make the Homemade Caramel Sauce

8. **Start the Caramel Base:** In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and water. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves.
9. **Cook to Amber:** Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Allow it to cook undisturbed until it turns a beautiful amber-brown color. You can gently swirl the pan occasionally to ensure even cooking, but avoid stirring with a spoon. Watch it closely to prevent burning, which can happen quickly.
10. **Add Butter:** Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully and slowly whisk in the unsalted butter, a tablespoon at a time, until it is completely melted and incorporated into the caramel. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble vigorously.
11. **Incorporate Cream and Flavor:** Return the saucepan to low heat. Gradually and slowly whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The mixture may seize or clump initially; this is normal.
12. **Smooth the Caramel:** Continue stirring gently over low heat until any clumps dissolve and the caramel sauce becomes smooth and uniform. This may take a few minutes.
13. **Cool Slightly:** Remove the caramel sauce from the heat and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. It will thicken as it cools.
14. **Glaze the Cake:** Once the cake has cooled on the wire rack and the caramel sauce has slightly thickened but is still pourable, generously drizzle the caramel over the warm or slightly cooled cake. For an extra touch, reserve some caramel to serve on the side.

Recipe Notes & Expert Tips

• **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the cake batter develops the gluten, which can result in a tough and dry cake. Mix until just combined.
• **Perfectly Baked Cake:** The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as this will dry out your delicious cake.
• **Ensuring Easy Release:** For perfectly golden, easy-release bundt cakes every time, thoroughly grease and flour your 10-cup pan. Using a high-quality baking spray with flour already in it is also highly effective. This extra step is essential to ensure your beautiful cake slides out intact, preserving all those gorgeous details of the bundt pan design.
• **Caramel Quantity:** This recipe yields a generous amount of caramel sauce (approximately 1 ¼ cups). We recommend drizzling about half over the cake and serving the remainder on the side for those who desire an extra helping.
• **Smooth Caramel Tip:** If your caramel sauce still has any small clumps after making it, simply strain it through a fine mesh strainer when done for a silky-smooth finish.
• **Time-Saving Alternative:** If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought caramel sauce. Just heat it up a little in the microwave until it’s pourable, then drizzle it over the cake.

Variations to Elevate Your Bundt Cake:

• **Nutty Crunch:** For an added texture and nutty flavor, fold in ½ to 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter along with the apples.
• **Powdered Sugar Finish:** Instead of drizzling all the caramel, you can dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving, then offer the warm caramel sauce on the side as an optional topping.
• **Cream Cheese Swirl:** If your family loves cream cheese, consider adding a cream cheese swirl to the cake batter. Prepare a simple cream cheese mixture (softened cream cheese, a little sugar, and an egg yolk) and swirl it into the batter before baking.
• **Spice It Up:** Enhance the fall flavors by adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ginger to the dry ingredients for a more complex spice profile.

Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories: 360kcal |
Carbohydrates: 74g |
Protein: 5g |
Fat: 5g |
Saturated Fat: 3g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g |
Trans Fat: 0.004g |
Cholesterol: 53mg |
Sodium: 246mg |
Potassium: 137mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 48g |
Vitamin A: 241IU |
Vitamin C: 2mg |
Calcium: 87mg |
Iron: 2mg

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Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Caramel Apple Bundt Cake

Creating this delightful caramel apple bundt cake is a rewarding experience. Follow these visual steps to ensure your cake turns out perfectly moist and flavorful, crowned with that irresistible homemade caramel glaze. Here’s an overview of the process; refer to the detailed recipe card above for exact measurements and further instructions.

1. Gather Your Ingredients

Begin by laying out all your ingredients on the counter. Having everything measured and ready before you start mixing will make the baking process smooth and enjoyable.

2. Cream the Wet Ingredients

In a spacious bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, room temperature eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat these wet ingredients with an electric mixer until they become light, fluffy, and beautifully emulsified. This step is crucial for incorporating air and achieving a tender cake crumb.

3. Prepare the Dry Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Thoroughly mixing these dry ingredients ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter, leading to a consistent rise and flavor in your cake.

4. Combine and Fold in Apples

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. The key here is not to overmix; stop as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain. Then, gently fold in your diced apples. This ensures the apples are evenly distributed, adding a burst of flavor and moisture to every slice without getting mushy.

5. Bake to Perfection

Spoon the prepared batter into your thoroughly greased and floured bundt pan. Ensure the batter is evenly distributed. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the thickest part of the cake comes out clean, indicating it’s cooked through without being dry.

6. Drizzle with Homemade Caramel

Once your cake has cooled sufficiently, prepare the rich, buttery caramel sauce following the detailed instructions. While the cake is still slightly warm, generously drizzle the glorious homemade caramel over it. The warm cake will absorb some of the caramel, creating an even more flavorful and moist dessert. Allow the caramel to set slightly before slicing and serving.

How to Store and Reheat Your Caramel Apple Bundt Cake

Proper storage is key to keeping your delicious bundt cake fresh and moist for as long as possible. Here’s how to best preserve your treat:

• **Storage at Room Temperature:** If your kitchen is cool, you can store the cake, tightly covered in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 2 days. The caramel glaze helps seal in moisture.
• **Refrigeration:** For longer freshness, store this apple spice cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to five days. The cool environment will help maintain its quality and prevent spoilage.
• **Freezing for Later:** This fresh apple cake freezes beautifully. We recommend freezing individual slices for easy portioning. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature for an hour or two before serving.
• **Reheating for Warmth:** If you prefer a warm slice of cake, especially on a chilly day, microwave your slice for 20-30 seconds. This will gently warm the cake and soften the caramel, making it even more inviting. Be careful not to overheat, which can dry out the cake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this bundt cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This Caramel Apple Bundt Cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert. You can bake the cake a day or two in advance. Store it covered at room temperature. Prepare the caramel sauce closer to serving time, or if making it ahead, gently reheat and whisk it before drizzling.

What if my caramel sauce gets too hard?

If your homemade caramel sauce cools too much and becomes too firm to pour, simply return it to a small saucepan over low heat. Add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or milk and gently whisk until it returns to a pourable consistency. Be careful not to overheat.

Can I use gluten-free flour?

While this recipe has not been tested with gluten-free flour, many readers have success using a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum as a direct substitute for all-purpose flour in bundt cakes. Results may vary slightly in texture.

How do I prevent my bundt cake from sticking to the pan?

The key to a perfect bundt cake release is thorough greasing and flouring! Use a baking spray specifically designed for baking with flour, or generously grease the entire inside of the pan with softened butter or shortening, getting into all the crevices. Then, lightly dust with flour, tapping out any excess. For a chocolate cake, you can dust with cocoa powder instead of flour.

More Apple Treats to Savor

If you’re an apple enthusiast, you’ll love exploring these other delightful apple-centric recipes from our kitchen. Each offers a unique way to enjoy the crisp, sweet, and comforting flavors of apples.

Embrace the Joy of Baking with Bundt Cakes

There’s an undeniable elegance and charm that a bundt cake brings to any table. Their intricate designs and generous size make them perfect for sharing and feeding a crowd, ensuring everyone gets to enjoy a piece of homemade goodness. This Caramel Apple Bundt Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of comfort, flavor, and the simple joy of baking. Whether it’s the star of a holiday meal or a sweet finish to a quiet evening, its rich apple and caramel flavors are sure to leave a lasting impression.

We hope you’ll give this wonderful recipe a try and experience the warmth and delight it brings. Please let us know in the comments below if you’ve tried making this cake, or if you have any questions or tips to share!