This caramel apple poundcake is sweet, eggy and dense but soft. And it’s covered in a rich, creamy caramel sauce that keeps the cake moist and flavorful.
Apple season has arrived! I received my first batch of CSA apples today and I’m so excited. I love apples and openly admit that I buy them year round. I can’t help myself; I use them in fresh juice, smoothies, as snacks, and in both savory and sweet recipes.
I’ve made them into muffins, doughnuts, fruit leather, you name it. And this caramel apple poundcake is the latest addition to my apple recipe collection. It has all of the qualities I love in a good poundcake- it’s sweet, eggy and dense but soft.
It has apples in every slice. And it’s covered in a rich, creamy caramel sauce that keeps the cake moist and flavorful.
I used granny smith apples in the recipe because I like the slight tartness they bring to the cake. But feel free to use your favorite apples and experiment. I only used one apple in the cake but you could probably add a second one to create layers of apple and cake.
The caramel has a pinch of salt but not enough for me to call it salted caramel sauce. Feel free to ramp up the salt just a bit for more of a kick!
Caramel Apple Poundcake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 8 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 6 ounces cake flour (1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons brandy
- 1 Granny Smith apple
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (half-and-half may be substituted)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and place an oven rack in the center position. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with baking spray (or use butter) and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, salt and cinnamon together and set aside.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on high speed for another 30 seconds. Turn the mixer speed down to medium low and add the eggs and yolks, one at a time, allowing them to incorporate completely before adding the next. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the vanilla and brandy and then mix again until everything is just combined.
- On low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 batches and mix until the batter is just combined.
- Peel and core the apple, then slice it in half from top to bottom. With the flat sides down, slice each apple thinly.
- Spread a small amount of the batter into the reserved loaf pan. Layer the apples in the pan, overlapping each other, until the bottom of the pan is covered. Pour in the rest of the batter and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the poundcake for 70-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then gently flip onto a cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool to room temperature.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the caramel sauce. Add the sugar and water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer until the caramel reaches a dark amber color. Do not walk away; caramel can go from perfect to burnt in a matter of seconds. Add the cream and quickly pull your hand away because the mixture will splatter. After a moment it will calm down. Stir with a heat proof spatula or whisk until the sauce is smooth. The sugar may seize up at first which is fine; just keep stirring over the heat. Add the salt and allow the sauce to reduce, while stirring, until it reaches the desired thickness (5-10 minutes).
- Before serving, drizzle the caramel sauce over the cake.
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Healthy Delicious – Mini Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casseroles
Happy Valley Chow says
Great recipe! That pound cake looks delicious, definitely want to give this a try. Also your photography is beautiful.
Nik@ABrownTable says
This looks so delicious, I love the way the caramel sauce is dripping all over the cake.
Archana @ feedingthefoodie says
we eat apples year round too- but not in exciting ways as you do.. this cake really looks yummy. I’d love to try it.. Caramel has to be my most favorite dessert sauce..
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
Jen,
The best apples of my life were from the Shenandoah valley and the first CSA we joined. The variety was called Larry. If you ever run across a Larry apple, do try it. They were amazing.
I love the photos of this cake and the apple–you’re so talented!
Thanks!
Cookin Canuck says
I could stare at these photos all day long. Absolutely gorgeous, Jen! And the poundcake? Wow, just wow.
Belinda @themoonblushbaker says
I am totally into the caramel sauce on top! Stunning can not describe this pound cake enough!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
I could and would eat that entire loaf because it just looks so tempting Jen! Beautiful photography. I love how the caramel effortlessly drips down. Stunning!
Lily @ Life, Love, and Cupcakes says
I can’t help it, I love apples year round as well! This sounds amazing, the caramel topping really puts it over the top!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
This pound cake has fall written all over it!
Laura Dembowski says
The pics of this are stunning! I have thought of putting an apple in a smoothie but wasn’t sure. Now I will give it a try for sure!
Laura G.Turcotte says
oh my!!! This is a definite must try!!
kesha says
Looks Amazing! I wish I had a piece right now!
Rachael Marsceau says
I NEED to try this!!
Melissa Kramer says
My husband would love this cake!
maxwell says
i love the fall bc of so many apple recipes