This Caramel Apple Snack Cake is a tender cake filled with fresh apples and flavored with apple pie spice, then baked and drizzled with caramel sauce. They are one of my favorite ways to use apples from the orchard in the Fall! But, honestly, they are a delicious treat you can enjoy any time of the year. It’s like biting into a caramel apple in a snack cake form! To keep the Fall vibes going, you might also want to try my Pumpkin Spice Snack Cake, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Apples: I like using Granny Smith apples in baking because of their tart flavor. Plus, they hold up well when baked. You can use the apples you have on hand. I think Honeycrisp apples would also be delicious.
- Apple Pie Spice: If you don’t have any on hand, make homemade apple pie spice! It packs more flavor than store-bought, and then you will have it on hand for all of your Fall recipes!
- Butter: You will need 2 sticks of unsalted butter. If using salted butter, you may want to lessen the amount of salt.
- Sugar: Use light brown sugar for the cake batter; I don’t recommend dark brown sugar as that can be too overpowering.
- Eggs: You will need a total of 3 large eggs–2 whole eggs and one egg yolk. Save the egg white for another recipe like my Almond Paste!
- Caramel Sauce: We can’t forget about the caramel sauce for the caramel apple snack cake! Make your own if you don’t have any store-bought caramel.
Can I Add Nuts or Other Mix-Ins?
Yes, you can definitely add nuts or other mix-ins to your Caramel Apple Snack Cake! Chopped walnuts or pecans would add a nice crunch and pair well with the apples and caramel. You could also try adding white or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or even toffee bits (yes, please) for extra sweetness. If adding mix-ins to the bars, adjust the baking time as needed.
How To Store Caramel Apple Snack Cake
To store the caramel apple cake, let it cool completely first. Then, put it in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can refrigerate the cake to make it last a little longer, but it might dry out quicker. For long-term storage, freeze the cake.
How To Freeze Caramel Apple Snack Cake
I recommend freezing the snack cake without the caramel. First, let the cake cool completely. Next, wrap the cake in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Label and date the packaging; the cake will be fine for up to three months. When ready to share (or enjoy yourself), let the cake thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, let it come to room temperature and drizzle some caramel over it.
Caramel Apple Snack Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (285 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces (about 2 ¼ cups)
- caramel sauce, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together butter and sugar until well combined.
- Add the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown and the center is set.
- Let the cake cool completely in the pan before topping with caramel sauce.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These definitely give me Fall vibes! I love them!
Elizabeth
I love the cakey, but moist texture, and the flavor is amazing!!! They really taste like a caramel apple!
Annabelle
I think this cake has the perfect balance of apples and rich caramel flavor.
Bella
These are great! I love the Fall flavors in the cake! Delicious with a cup of hot tea!
Selena
I love this snack cake! Using fresh apples is great, and you can't go wrong with caramel on top!
