Caramel Apple Cake

The other day Bob was helping Larry blow out the sprinkler system, so as a way of saying thank you, I cooked dinner for all of us. We had a delicious dinner with Janet, Bob and their exchange student Luke, with fun games after. At the half-way point of the games, after our dinner had settled a bit, it was time for dessert. I made caramel apple cake just for the occasion.

I made a caramel apple crunch cake, which was a perfect fall dessert. I found some caramel chips that made the cake even more festive. This was before I made my annual batch of caramels with Priscilla, otherwise I would have just melted down some of the caramels to make the sauce. But the caramel chips were a good find and added a fun morsel or two to the occasion.

Caramel Apple Crunch Cake

1 1/2 cups vegetable or canola oil

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 tsp vanilla

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup chopped nuts, divided – I used pecans

1 cup dried coconut

3 cups apples, peeled, seeded and chopped

1 bag caramel chips

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350* F or 180* C.

Spray a bundt pan with cooking spray.

Mix all the dry ingredients together well.

Combine the oil, eggs, sugar and vanilla together and beat for about 2 minutes. Then mix in the dry ingredients, 1/2 at a time, mixing in between each addition.

When the batter is done, fold in the apples, about 3/4 of the nuts and coconut until everything is well incorporated into the batter.

Evenly spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the pan and adding the toppings.

I made a caramel ganache and with most of the bag of the caramel chips mixed in with the heavy whipping cream. Heat over a medium-low heat and stir constantly until all the chips are melted and it is smooth and velvety. When the ganache was ready, I drizzled it over the cake.

Then I added more of the chopped nuts and the rest of the caramel chips on top for decorations. This cake came out so moist, and it was just loaded with flavor and texture. It is a definite winner for the fall.

This delicious fall cake made rounds, and was enjoyed a few times. We had it first with Janet, Bob and Luke, and I gave them about 1/2 of the cake to take home with them. Then we got together with Priscilla and Jonathan to make our caramels, and I took the cake with us, which we enjoyed once more. We got together with Janet and Bob again later, and enjoyed more of the cake once again with them. We enjoyed it every time too. 🙂 I am only taking tiny, tiny portions, because I HAVE to lose weight, my early New Year’s resolution. So just enough for a bite or two is enough for me.

Savor the flavors of fall as much as you can during this fabulous season. Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.