Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting
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This Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting is packed with warm fall flavor in every bite. It starts with a spice cake mix and apple pie filling, then gets finished with a rich caramel frosting that ties it all together. It’s one of those easy cakes that tastes like it took hours, but comes together fast.
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Why You’ll Love this Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting
This moist and fresh apple cake recipe is quick, comforting, and great for gatherings. You start with boxed mix, but it tastes homemade thanks to the tender crumb and sweet apple filling. The caramel frosting finishes it off with buttery richness and just the right hint of salt.
If you’ve been craving a caramel apple cake or a simple spice cake with caramel flavor, this one brings it all together. It’s also an easy twist on a spice cake with apple filling, making it a go-to for fall baking and potlucks.
Ingredients
Apple Spice Cake
- 1 pkg. 2-layer-size spice cake mix
- 1 (21-oz.) can Lucky Leaf apple pie filling or Lucky Leaf caramel apple pie filling
- 3 large eggs
Caramel Frosting
- 2 sticks butter, softened, unsalted (1 cup)
- ½ cup caramel sauce or dulce de leche
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream or milk of choice
Instructions: How to Make Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting
Apple Spice Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs. Stir just until combined. Don’t overmix.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the cake pan on a wire rack before adding frosting.
Caramel Frosting
- In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat butter until soft and fluffy.
- Beat in caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, mixing on low and then medium until smooth.
- If the frosting is too thick, beat in cream or milk 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
Storage for Apple Spice Cake
- This apple spice cake is best the day it’s made, but leftovers store well. Refrigerate any extras in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
More Apple Spice Cake Variations
- Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the frosted cake before serving.
- Swap the caramel for maple syrup in the frosting for a maple twist.
- Try a cream cheese frosting instead of caramel for a nice change.
FAQs
Can I use homemade apple pie filling?
Yes, just make sure it’s thick enough and sweetened to match the consistency of store-bought filling. Use crisp apples like Granny smith apples or honeycrisp apples to make a homemade apple pie filling with 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch and add some cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg or allspice. Cook over the stove on medium heat for 10-12 minutes until the apples are tender.
Will this work as cupcakes?
Yes, just adjust the baking time to around 18–22 minutes and test for doneness with a toothpick.
Can I use a bundt pan instead of 9×13?
Absolutely. Just increase the bake time to around 40–45 minutes and grease the pan well.
In Conclusion
This apple spice cake with caramel frosting brings together warm fall spices, tender apples, and sweet caramel in the easiest way possible. It’s a shortcut dessert that doesn’t taste like one and always gets rave reviews. Whether you’re baking for family or a fall gathering, this caramel frosted apple cake won’t disappoint.
Follow on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for recipe updates, baking tips, and lots of sweet inspiration.
More Apple Desserts to Try
- 45 Must-Try Best Apple Dessert Recipes
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- Soft Apple Caramel Oatmeal Cookies
- Caramel Apple Cupcakes
- Apple Crumb Cake Recipe
Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting
Ingredients
APPLE SPICE CAKE
- 1 pkg. 2-layer-size spice cake mix
- 1 21-oz. can Lucky Leaf apple pie filling or Lucky Leaf caramel apple pie filling
- 3 large eggs
CARAMEL FROSTING
- 2 sticks butter softened, unsalted (1 cup)
- ½ cup caramel sauce or dulce de leche
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream or milk of choice
Instructions
Instructions How to Make Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting
APPLE SPICE CAKE
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix, apple pie filling, and eggs, stirring until just combined without overmixing batter.
- Spread cake batter into prepared pan. Bake about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pan on a wire rack before frosting the cake.
CARAMEL FROSTING
- In a large bowl, using mixer, beat the butter until soft and fluffy.Beat in 1/2 cup fully caramel sauce, vanilla extract and salt.
- Beat in powdered sugar, starting with the mixer on low speed.
- If your frosting seems a little too thick, beat in the cream/milk 1 tablespoon at a time. Adjust with more powdered sugar or milk/cream.
