Spiced Apple Cake with Caramel Drizzle

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and lightly grease a 23 cm (9”) round cake tin. Adjust the oven rack to the middle position of the oven.

2. Prepare the Apples

Start by peeling, coring, and chopping the apples into small cubes. Toss them in the juice of half a lemon to prevent them from browning. Set them aside.

3. Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 eggs, 200 grams of caster sugar, and 100 grams of brown sugar. Mix with an electric mixer until well combined. The mixture should look smooth and thick. While stirring, gradually incorporate 240 millilitres of vegetable oil into the sugar-egg mixture.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine 250 grams of plain flour, 1½ baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Ensure everything is mixed well, so the spices are evenly distributed.

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix as this may make the cake tough. Once the batter is smooth, fold in the chopped apples and 60 grams of chopped walnuts. The batter will be thick, but that’s normal.

4. Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin and smooth it out with a spatula. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.

Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the baking tin for about 15 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Serve

Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top and let it drip down the sides for a rustic, homemade look. You can also serve extra caramel sauce on the side and drizzle over each slice.

Tips for Perfect Spiced Apple Cake with Caramel Drizzle

Don’t Overmix: Mixing the batter vigorously after adding the flour can cause the cake to be denser and tougher. Mix until the ingredients are just combined to keep the cake light and tender.

Avoid Overbaking: Check if the cake is baked by inserting a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready. Baking for too long can cause the cake to dry out.

Allow the Cake to Cool: Let the cake cool before drizzling with caramel sauce to prevent it from becoming too soggy. For a nicer presentation, drizzle over just before serving.

Proper Storage

At Room Temperature: Once the cake has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in cling film or store it in an airtight container. This keeps it moist and prevents it from drying out. The cake will keep at room temperature for up to 2 days.

In the Fridge: For storage up to 5 days, it’s best to place the cake in the fridge. Place the cake in an airtight container and store in the fridge. Storing it in the fridge will make it last longer. Allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving.

In the Freezer: Allow the cake to cool completely before wrapping it in cling film, then place it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. For defrosting, let the cake thaw in the fridge overnight.

Variations

Apple and Pear Spice Cake: Replace half of the apples with pears for a sweet, slightly floral flavour. Pears provide additional moisture and complement the warm spices wonderfully.

Carrot Apple Cake: Add about 100 grams of grated carrots to the batter to give it an extra layer of flavour and texture.

Spiced Apple Ginger Cake: Add 1-2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger or 50 grams of crystallized ginger pieces to the batter for a zesty, warming kick.

Related Recipes

Looking for more simple yet delicious recipes to incorporate apples?

Check out the following recipes:

Upside-Down Apple Cake

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Almond Apple Tart

Conclusion

With its soft, flavourful crumb and lots of sweet apples, this Spiced Apple Cake with Caramel Drizzle expresses the essence of autumn in the most delicious way. Topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce, it’s a delicious way to celebrate the season and impress your loved ones.