Description
A moist, spiced Southern-inspired cake filled with fresh apples and toasted pecans, finished with a glossy homemade caramel glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups sugar (white or brown)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups diced fresh apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted for best flavor)
- Optional: 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or Greek yogurt for extra moisture
- For the Caramel Glaze:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease your chosen pan (Bundt, loaf, or 9×13).
- Peel, core, and dice apples. Toast pecans if desired.
- In one bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar until frothy. Slowly add oil or butter, then vanilla.
- Mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined—do not overmix.
- Fold in diced apples and pecans gently with a spatula.
- Pour batter into pan and bake according to size (Bundt: 60–70 min, Loaf: 45–55 min, 9×13: 50–60 min).
- Test with a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Make the caramel glaze: melt butter in saucepan, stir in brown sugar and cream, cook 2–3 min, then add vanilla and salt.
- Let glaze cool 5 minutes, then pour over warm cake, guiding it down the sides.
- Garnish with extra pecans or apple slices if desired and serve warm or chilled.
Notes
Use a mix of tart and sweet apples for best flavor. Toasting pecans enhances their richness. Store at room temperature up to 3 days, refrigerated up to 1 week, or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Keywords: apple pecan cake, caramel glaze, fall dessert, bundt cake, southern baking