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Apple Carrot Cake with Caramel
Tender, moist, and loaded with warm spices, this layer cake brings the best of apple and carrot cakes together in one dessert. Instead of traditional frosting between the layers, a rich apple cider caramel sauce binds the pecan-studded tiers. It's a beautiful centerpiece for autumn gatherings or holiday tables. You'll love how the sweet grated apples and earthy carrots keep the crumb incredibly soft.
Equipment
- Oven
- Cake Pan
Ingredients
- 2 ⅓ cups finely chopped lightly toasted pecans, divided
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 tsp. apple pie spice
- ½ tsp. table salt
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled and grated Granny Smith apples
- 1½ cups grated carrots
- ⅔ cup plus 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Caramel Sauce (recipe follows)
Instructions
- 1Preheat the oven to 350°F. Scatter 1 ⅓ cups of the toasted pecans evenly into two well-buttered 9-inch round cake pans, shaking them to coat the bottoms and sides. This creates a built-in crunchy crust as the cake bakes.
- 2Whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, apple pie spice, and table salt together in a medium bowl.
- 3In a large bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently stir in the flour mixture just until combined, taking care not to overmix so the cake stays tender. Fold in the grated apples, grated carrots, and the remaining 1 cup of pecans. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- 4Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes before turning them out onto the racks to cool completely for about 1 hour.
- 5Set one cake layer on a serving plate with the pecan side facing down. Spread ⅔ cup of the apple cider caramel sauce over the top, then place the second cake layer on top, also pecan side down.
- 6Spread your preferred frosting over the top of the assembled cake. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of apple cider caramel sauce over the top and swirl it in gently before slicing.
Notes
- Frosting: This cake pairs beautifully with a tangy mascarpone or cream cheese frosting. You'll need to prepare or purchase your favorite frosting separately.
- Make ahead: You can bake the cake layers a day in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature until you're ready to assemble.
- Storage: Keep the assembled cake covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.