Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups chopped apples (e.g., Granny Smith)
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a saucepan, melt the butter with water over medium heat, bringing it to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and stir it into the dry ingredients until smooth.
Add the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Fold in the chopped apples gently.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Frosting:
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and half-and-half, stirring constantly until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth and thick.
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
Serve:
Allow the frosting to set before slicing into squares. Serve as is, or pair with vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Choose the Right Apples:
Opt for firm, tart apples like Granny Smith to maintain texture and balance the sweetness of the cake. Sweet apples may become overly soft during baking. - Cool the Cake Completely Before Frosting:
Ensure the cake is fully cooled to prevent the caramel frosting from melting or becoming too runny. This step ensures a smooth, even frosting layer. - Toss Apples in Flour to Prevent Sinking:
Coat the chopped apples lightly in flour before folding them into the batter. This helps distribute the apples evenly throughout the cake and prevents them from sinking to the bottom.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min