Description
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of Browned Butter Apple Spice Cake, a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. This cake features a moist texture complemented by the rich essence of browned butter and fresh apples, enhanced with aromatic fall spices. Topped with a luscious caramel frosting, every bite is an unforgettable taste experience that will impress your family and friends. Whether serving at a festive gathering or enjoying as an afternoon snack, this cake promises to be the star of the dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup chopped apples (Honeycrisp recommended)
- 3/4 cup whole or 2% milk
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (softened for frosting)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup homemade caramel (for drizzling)
- 1/2 apple, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 6-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in sour cream and vanilla extract, followed by spices, salt, baking powder, and flours until just combined. Gradually add milk and fold in chopped apples.
- Divide the batter among prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans before transferring to wire racks.
- For frosting, melt half a cup of salted butter until golden brown. Beat remaining butter with powdered sugar until fluffy; add caramel sauce and cooled browned butter.
- Frost cooled cake layers generously with caramel frosting and drizzle additional caramel on top.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (85g)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg