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If you love the warm, cozy flavors of autumn wrapped up in a moist, tender cake, this Caramel Spice Cake Recipe is about to become your new favorite indulgence. It perfectly balances rich caramel sweetness with fragrant spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, all held together in a delightfully soft crumb. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or simply treating yourself to a comforting homemade dessert, this recipe brings heartfelt warmth and buttery caramel goodness to every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple yet essential ingredients that each play a key role in creating the perfect Caramel Spice Cake Recipe. From the aromatic spices to the moistening applesauce, every component ensures the cake is flavorful, tender, and beautifully textured.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives the cake structure.
- Baking soda: Helps the cake rise and keeps it light and fluffy.
- Baking powder: Adds extra lift to ensure a soft crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and coziness.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle earthiness and aromatic complexity.
- Ground ginger: Provides a gentle zing that brightens the spice mix.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Keeps the cake moist naturally, cutting back on oil and adding a touch of fruity freshness.
- Granulated sugar: Brings classic sweetness that caramel can shine against.
- Brown sugar: Adds richness and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind ingredients together and help with rising.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens flavor by adding sweet floral notes.
- Vegetable oil: Ensures a tender, moist crumb without heaviness.
- Caramel sauce: The luscious element that makes this cake unforgettable—feel free to use store-bought or your favorite homemade version.
How to Make Caramel Spice Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a large bowl. This evenly distributes the spices and leavening agents, ensuring every slice bursts with that signature spicy flavor.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients Thoroughly
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with both sugars until creamy and slightly fluffy. Then whisk in the applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. These wet ingredients create the perfect balance of moisture and sweetness for a tender cake.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined; overmixing can toughen the cake. The batter should be smooth with a warm, inviting aroma of spices coming through.
Step 4: Add the Caramel Magic
Carefully swirl in half of the caramel sauce into the batter to create delicious ribbons of gooey sweetness throughout. Reserve the remaining caramel for drizzling later—this step makes the cake truly stand out.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into a greased or lined cake pan, smoothing the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting or serving.
How to Serve Caramel Spice Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance this warm dessert with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce or a light dusting of powdered sugar. A sprinkle of toasted chopped pecans or a dollop of whipped cream adds delightful texture and creamy contrast to the spiced sweetness.
Side Dishes
Pair your Caramel Spice Cake Recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of spiced chai tea to complement those autumnal spice notes in the cake. Fresh apple slices or a simple fruit compote also make refreshing accompaniments.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering the cake with cream cheese frosting and additional caramel between layers for an indulgent twist. Alternatively, serve individual ramekins of the cake warm with a drizzle of caramel and a sprinkle of crushed ginger snaps for a fun presentation that amazes guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Caramel Spice Cake Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to preserve moisture and flavor. For longer storage, refrigerate it wrapped tightly to prevent drying out, although allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing in the freezer. It will keep well for up to 3 months—thaw in the refrigerator overnight to enjoy later.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked feeling, warm slices gently in the microwave for about 20 seconds or in a low oven for 10 minutes. Add a little extra caramel drizzle after reheating to revive the moist, gooey charm.
FAQs
Can I make this Caramel Spice Cake Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend of equal measure to maintain the texture and flavor balance. Just ensure your baking soda and powder are gluten-free as well.
Is it necessary to use both baking soda and baking powder?
Yes, the combination helps achieve the perfect rise and texture. Baking powder provides general leavening, while baking soda reacts with the caramel’s acidity for extra lift and tenderness.
Can I use homemade caramel sauce?
Definitely use whatever caramel sauce you prefer, homemade or store-bought. A homemade caramel adds a personal touch and can be adjusted for sweetness and richness to your liking.
What can I substitute for applesauce?
If you don’t have applesauce on hand, mashed ripe banana or pumpkin puree work well to add moisture and natural sweetness, though they will slightly change the flavor profile.
How spicy is this cake?
The spice blend gives a warm, balanced touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—not overly spicy but enough to feel comforting and aromatic, making it perfect for all palates.
Final Thoughts
This Caramel Spice Cake Recipe is a beautiful celebration of cozy spices and luscious caramel, perfect for brightening any chilly day or special occasion. I can’t wait for you to try baking it yourself—you’ll discover just how easy it is to create a dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Enjoy the comforting flavors and share the joy with friends and family!
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Caramel Spice Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Caramel Spice Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert that balances warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger with a rich caramel sauce. The use of unsweetened applesauce keeps the cake moist while reducing the oil content, making it a slightly healthier treat without sacrificing taste. Perfect for cozy gatherings or an indulgent weekend dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
Wet Ingredients
- 0.75 cups unsweetened applesauce
- 0.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.5 cups brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cups vegetable oil
Additional
- 1 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger until well combined. This will create a well-spiced base for the cake batter.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the unsweetened applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. Beat these together until the mixture is smooth and slightly fluffy, ensuring that the sugars start to dissolve into the wet base.
- Combine and Bake: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined cake pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked and cooled, pour the caramel sauce generously over the cake before serving.
Notes
- For a deeper caramel flavor, consider making homemade caramel sauce using brown sugar and butter.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender and light.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a subtle twist in flavor.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This cake pairs beautifully with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.
