Swedish Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce Recipe
This classic Swedish Apple Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert featuring tender apples and warm spices baked into a buttery batter. Finished with a rich, homemade caramel sauce poured over the top, this cake offers a perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and velvety flavors. Ideal for cozy gatherings or anytime you crave a comforting homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Butter at room temperature
- 1 2/3 cups Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 3 cups Diced and Peeled Apples (about 2 large apples)
- 1/4 cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (optional)
Caramel Sauce Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Half & Half
- 4 tablespoons Butter
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room temperature butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure even incorporation. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. The batter will be thick, which is expected.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold in the diced and peeled apples along with the optional chopped pecans or walnuts. This ensures the fruit and nuts are evenly spread throughout the batter.
- Prepare to Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 9-inch cake pan, smoothing the top to help it bake uniformly.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake’s top turns golden brown.
- Make Caramel Sauce: While the cake bakes, in a small saucepan combine brown sugar, half & half, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts and the sauce is smooth and has thickened slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Apply Caramel Sauce: Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and promptly poke small holes all over the top using a skewer or toothpick. Pour the warm caramel sauce evenly over the cake so it seeps into the holes.
- Set and Serve: Allow the caramel to soak into the cake for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally drizzled with more caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the chopped pecans or walnuts entirely.
- If you prefer a spicier cake, you can increase the cinnamon to 2 teaspoons and add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger.
- Use sweet-tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced flavor and to prevent the cake from becoming too mushy.
- The caramel sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently before pouring over the cake.
- Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature to ensure proper creaming with sugar.
Keywords: Swedish apple cake, apple cake with caramel sauce, cinnamon apple cake, fall dessert, spiced apple cake, homemade apple cake
