Description

Browned Butter Apple Spice Cake is a cozy, flavorful dessert that embodies the essence of autumn. This delightful cake features the rich nuttiness of browned butter combined with tender, crisp apples and a blend of warming spices. Crowned with a luscious homemade caramel sauce, this layered treat is not just a dessert—it’s a celebration of fall flavors that will impress family and friends alike. Perfect for any occasion, from festive gatherings to casual afternoon snacks, this cake promises to be an unforgettable centerpiece that satisfies sweet cravings.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 Cup Salted Umpqua Dairy Butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed
1 Large Egg + 1 Large Egg Yolk
1/3 Cup Umpqua Dairy 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 Umpqua Dairy Whole or 2% Milk
3/4 Cup Apples of Choice, chopped into small squares (I used Honeycrisp)
1 1/2 Cups Umpqua Dairy Salted Butter, softened to room temperature
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 Cup Caramel Sauce (homemade or store bought)
3 Cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
1/2 Cup Homemade Caramel, drizzled on top and over the sides
1/2 Apple, chopped into small squares and tossed in a tablespoon of caramel sauce
Greenery, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°. Prepare three (6-inch) cake pans by greasing and flouring them or spraying them with non-stick spray. Line each bottom with a parchment paper circle.
In a large mixing bowl: Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and egg yolk to the mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in the sour cream and pure vanilla extract until well combined. Add in cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, salt, baking powder, all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour. Mix well. Add milk gradually while mixing until incorporated but do not over-mix. Gently fold in chopped apples so they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans (about a heaping cup per pan). Smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake in your preheated oven for about 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for about ten minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a saucepan over medium heat: Melt half a cup of salted butter until it browns slightly. Stir occasionally until golden brown. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. In another mixing bowl: Beat one cup of unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing until smooth and fluffy. Pour in pure vanilla extract and salted caramel sauce; mix well. Slowly incorporate cooled browned butter into frosting mixture until evenly distributed.
Spread or pipe frosting onto each cooled cake layer as desired. Drizzle homemade caramel on top and over sides for added decadence. Garnish with chopped apple squares tossed in caramel and greenery if desired.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (100g)
Calories: 420
Sugar: 35g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 56g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 80mg