A cozy, one-pan cake packed with real apples, warm spice, and a drizzle of caramel. It’s all the flavors of caramel apple without any of that stick-to-your-teeth mess!
Note: I originally shared my version of this apple sheet cake recipe at BHG’s Delish Dish blog (which unfortunately, it no longer live). Luckily, this recipe is here on my site to stay.
Apple Sheet Cake
It takes the nostalgic flavors of a caramel apple and mixes it with the ooey gooey quality of a sticky toffee pudding.
Needless to say, this is a super tasty treat that’s perfect for sharing with friends this season. It’s a one-bowl, one-pan cake that’s sure to impress.
Recipe Highlights
- Apple Butter : Cake batter gets deep flavor from apple butter (which is a concentrated version of applesauce that’s richer and more flavorful).
- Shredded Apple: Shredded apple folded into cake batter adds texture
- One-Bowl Recipe: No creaming butter and sugar, no separate wet and dry bowls to dirty. Everything comes together in one bowl in about 15 minutes.
Ingredient Notes
- Apples :: Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala all hold their shape well and balance sweet with a little tartness. Avoid apples that turn mushy when baked
- Apple Butter :: Not the same as applesauce! If you’re in a pinch, applesauce will work, but the cake will taste noticeably less “apple-forward.”
- Apple butter is readily available at supermarkets during the fall. Alternatively, easily make apple butter in slow cooker or over the stove!
- Dark Brown Sugar :: Adds deeper molasses flavor. Light brown sugar works just fine.
- Caramel Sauce :: Homemade or store-bought both work here!
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix once the flour goes in. Stir just until you no longer see dry streaks. Overmixing develops gluten and can make the cake dense.
- Slice apples thin and even (about ⅛-inch) so they bake through at the same rate as the cake underneath.
- Wait to add caramel until the cake is fully cool, or it’ll soak in and turn the top soggy instead of staying glossy on top.
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
This quick and easy caramel apple sheet cake is a sweet, sticky, and delicious way to up autumn’s apples! Yield: 9 x 13-inch cake
Servings: 16 slices
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
Ingredients
- 3 medium baking apples (recommend Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Gala),
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, (76 g) melted
- 1 ⅔ cups dark brown sugar, (330 g)packed
- 1 cup apple butter, (275 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, (260 g)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, or kosher salt
- caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought, to top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Lightly grease 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- Peel, core, and shred one of the apples. Core the remaining apples and thinly slice.
- In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, apple butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine. Fold in shredded apple.
- Spread batter into prepared baking pan. Arrange apple slices over leveled batter. Bake for 40-45 minutes until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Allow cool completely. Garnish with caramel sauce topping before serving.
Notes
This cake keeps well at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
If you’re making it ahead, I’d hold off on the caramel drizzle until just before serving so it stays glossy rather than absorbing into the cake.
All images and text ©The Little Epicurean
Nutrition
Calories: 237kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 150mg, Potassium: 111mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 175IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!More Caramel Apple Desserts
How much is a cup of butter ounces or grams please
It looks so great! I will make it Thanks for your sharing!
That looks incredible!! I can NOT wait to try it!