Discovering the accuweather.com extended forecast is either the best or worst thing that ever happened to me. I’m rather weather obsessed. I hate the cold, snow, and cloudy days . . . basically I hate winter or roughly six months of the year in Michigan. I know, I need to move to California or at least Florida. Believe me, I’m working on it.
Last winter, struggling through day after gloomy day, I needed some hope, so I Googled “extended weather forecasts” and stumbled upon Accuweather’s about 45 day forecast. Is it accurate? Who knows? Considering the weathermen typically have a bit of a difficult time forecast the same day’s forecast, I have my doubts, but that doesn’t matter when I’m looking at it.
In February or March, it’s great, as it most likely offers a peak far enough into the future that it shows sun and warmer temperatures. All summer, it keeps me going with fabulous weather. In fact, many days I forgot to even look at it. But this time of year? I’m not even sure I can talk about it. The next 45 days look so gray and cold, it has me rather depressed. And those days include the “s” word more than once. You know . . . snow. Gah! I’m hoping this unseasonably cold weather will mean when the forecast starts showing December, January, and February, there will be some unseasonably warm weather, but I probably shouldn’t hold my breath, though I will still be checking daily.
I really wish I could eat this Caramel Apple Sheet Cake daily. I’m as obsessed with caramel and apple together as I am the weather. I could not wait to make this cake. Though it is a bit time consuming, it did not disappoint and is worth every moment of effort. The buttery, apple cake is moist, flavorful, and seriously loaded with grated apple. No mistaking what kind of cake this is. It would be good enough on its own, but when the caramel frosting is added – OMG! I’m not a fan of traditional buttercreams, which is why I mostly make Italian meringue buttercreams, but this frosting is easy to make and so creamy and flavorful, never overly buttery. It is caramel sauce beaten with confectioners’ sugar. Does it get better than that? A drizzle of caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt make it pretty and even tastier. Do yourself a favor and make this cake. You will not regret it!
Caramel Apple Sheet Cake #SundaySupper
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 pieces 1x
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk (I used almond milk, but any will work)
- 2 ½ heaping cups peeled, cored, and grated (any variety)
Frosting
- 3 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- Pinch cream of tartar
- 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (I used almond, but any will work)
- Maldon Sea Salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Make the cake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9 by 13 inch pan.
- In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. I did this by hand but a hand or stand mixer would work as well. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add vanilla and milk and beat until fully combined and light and fluffy. Stir in apples and flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-45 minutes, rotating halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs. Cool cake completely in pan. Cake may be made one day ahead of time.
- Make the frosting. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, sugar, cream, and cream of tartar over medium heat. Stir occasionally until butter is melted and sugar dissolved, then allow the mixture to come to a boil. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.
- Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of caramel for garnish. Pour the remaining caramel into a large bowl. Add 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar and beat using a hand mixer, raising the speed slowly so the sugar doesn’t go everywhere, until the sugar is combined. Continue adding sugar until the frosting is thick. Mix in the milk so the frosting becomes creamy. Pour frosting over cake and spread into an even layer. Drizzle cake with reserved caramel and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve immediately or store cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cake may also be frozen in pieces, wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Mother Thyme
Don’t forget to check out the other Sunday Supper recipes!
Savory Sauces
- Port Wine and Fig Sauce from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Jalepeno Cranberry Sauce from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
- Homemade Steak Sauce from Juanita’s Cocina
- Tomato Kasundi from What Smells So Good?
- Homemade Tartar Sauce from The Foodie Army Wife
- Creamy Dairyfree Mushroom Sauce from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Homemade Teriyaki Sauce from Curious Cuisiniere
- Red Wine Sauce | Molho de Vinho Tinto from Family Foodie
- Guava BBQ Sauce from Basic N Delicious
Pasta Sauces and Pastas with Sauce
- Chardonnay Seafood Sauce (with Linguine) from Country Girl in the Village
- Italian-Style Tomato Sauce from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Homemade Guiltless Alfredo Sauce from Momma’s Meals
- Sicilian Marinara Sauce from Growing Up Gabel
- Basil Pesto from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Angel Hair Pasta with Neapolitan Sauce from Cookin’ Mimi
- Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Lentil Marinara Pasta Sauce from Alida’s Kitchen
- Lamb Ragout from Maroc Mama
- Black Walnut Kale Pesto with Zucchini Spaghetti from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Amatriciana Sauce from The Weekend Gourmet
Entreés with Sauces
- Chicken Tikka Masala from I Run For Wine
- Pork Tenderloin with Plum Sauce from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Garlic Mushrooms In Red Wine Sauce from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Jack Daniel’s Honey Barbecue Baked Wings from Chocolate Moosey
- Salmon with Homemade Caper Onion Mayonnaise from Food Lust People Love
- Chicken with Mushroom Demi-Glace from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Mrs. A’s Skillet Lemon Chicken from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Philly Strip Steaks with Provolone Sauce and Caramelized Onions from The Texan New Yorker
- Sweet & Sour Garlic Chicken Wings from Big Bear’s Wife
Sweet Sauces
- Banana Pudding Sauce from Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Raspberry Red Wine Sauce from Treats & Trinkets
- Pumpkin Applesauce from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Sauce from Daily Dish Recipes
- Slow Cooker Applesauce from Citronlimette
- Apple Cider Caramel Sauce from The Messy Baker
- Port Wine Cranberry Sauce from Webicurean
- Pumpkin Caramel Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands
Desserts with Sauces
- Sticky Toffee Pudding w/ Toffee Sauce from girlichef
- Salted Bourbon Caramel Sauce (over Chocolate Rosemary Cake) from Gotta Get Baked
- Pear Tatin with Rum Caramel Sauce from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Bananas Foster from MidLife Road Trip
- Baked Espresso Berry Pudding from The Urban Mrs
- Caramel Apple Sheet Cake from Pies and Plots
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here ? Sunday Supper Movement.
When I first saw the pick I needed some. When I ate my first bite I knew I was right. It’s great if you have a sweet tooth. Not to rich but hits the spot. Nice and moist.
This looks amazing. Wish I had some right now. Yum!!
Yum, this cake sounds so good.
Love caramel apple anything – this cake sounds and looks delicious
Oh my gosh! This would be dangerous for me to have around the house! I could see grabbing a spoonful every time I walked in the kitchen!!
I just love snack cakes!
They have become my favorite thing this fall!
Wow, I just told my husband to pick up some eggs and cream while she’s out so I can try this tomorrow! Looks awesome! I can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Let me know how you like it 🙂
I’m not going to say I love the cold because, well it’s cold, but I do love the change of the seasons and am secretly a little excited for the s-word. Sorry! And this cake totally makes the change in the seasons worth it 🙂 Looks delicious!
We all like different things – that’s what makes life interesting!
Love the flavors in this cake! It just screams fall. Super stuff – thanks so much.
WOW this is seriously drool worthy!!
★★★★★
Thanks, Bobbi!
I’m a huge fan of fall. What I don’t like are the gloomy days of winter. Night arrives far too early and I begin to get depressed. Baking always helps. This cake is a winner. Pinned!
So depressing when it’s dark outside when I’m eating dinner. Of course with all the cloudiness, it’s pretty much dark all day most of winter 🙁 Thanks, Jennie!
Just a note: I live in California. Yes, we have beautiful weather but I also pay over $1700 per month for an 800 square foot 1 bedroom apartment and that’s considered cheap in my area. I also love your cake becasuse it’s a creative way to use caramel. Thank you for participating this week.
Looks fantasic! I cooked for this weeks #SundaySupper then forgot to submit! ha whoops. This is so on my to bake list!
I am so paranoid about doing that. I’m always leaving myself notes to remember 😉
I’m with you on the weather thing. I wish I could hibernate like the bears…lol. But this cake would definitely wake me up from hibernation! Love the sound of that frosting and it’s so pretty!
I know . . . I just want to wake up and have it be spring!
I’m all in favor of any dessert with caramel AND apple in the title! Your sheet cake looks amazing…I hope you saved me a slice!
you are right. The cake sounds great but the frosting-spectacular! And just for the record-I think my husband loves storms just so he can check the radar at weather underground and see what’s happening. It drives me crazy!
Right after the caramel and the apples and that fabulous frosting, the best thing is that this is perfect for bringing along to a potluck, whatever the weather. I love a beautiful cake that is so easily transported! Pinning on my Recipes to Try board, Laura!
(P.S. You missed the word apples in the ingredients list.)
Thanks, Stacy! I will go fix the recipe now – thanks for catching that 🙂
This looks delicious! The perfect fall dessert!
This is outstanding!
Caramel apple cake sounds amazing! I am craving a slice! Such a great dessert for the fall, too.
This cake is just lovely!!! I would love for it to appear in front of my face right now! LOL I’m starving, can you tell?
Looking at blogs always makes me hungry! Thanks, Ashley!
This looks yummy!! Got your name from the SugarHero blog 🙂
This recipe reminds me of something my mother used to make when we were kids.. I can imagine the smells in your kitchen when you baked this!!
Xx
I’m glad you found my blog, Johlene! It’s so great when food reminds us of good times 🙂
I am with you girl on plan sof moving. Upstate NY is bleak from November to March and I hate cold and snow quite equally. But my love for caramel and apples helps me survive and this cake needs to exists!!
This cake sounds seriously amazing!
It is seriously amazing! Thanks, Jen!
Hi Laura, love your cake sounds amazing! Caramel and apples is a wonderful combination.
I can’t wait to fix the recipe.
Kisses
I get pretty obsessed with the weather also and look at it far too often for any normal person! Cold is SO not my thing.
Caramel apple sheet cake = TOTALLY MY THING. Whoa does this look good!
Lovely fall cake, I could go for a slice right now!
45 day weather forecast? That must be a joke. They can barely get 10 days correct by me. Hehe.
I need this cake in my life. It looks so moist and I love how many spices you have in it. Vanilla is good but this is perfect for Fall. That frosting is calling my name. 🙂
Lol, I usually don’t even bother with 7 day forecasts in Vancouver because our weather people are always wrong! The only way you’ll ever know what the weather’s like is by looking out the window. I love sheet cakes – so easy to put together without all that pesky removing from the pan, cutting and layering. This looks incredible, Laura! I love apple cakes and I’m losing myself in that creamy frosting.
Your cake looks perfect, I would love a big ‘ol piece please!!
★★★★★
WOW! This looks fabulous!
The weather has been a killer this week!! SO cold and gloomy. I’m all for staying inside and stuffing my face with caramel apple cake :).
I know! I’d be happy with normal temperatures at least.
Sounds and looks perfect way to beat the cold.
I’ve been baking with caramel and apple A LOT lately. Those are such perfect Fall flavors. What a lovely apple cake you made, and I want to eat that thick frosting with a spoon!
We have SO many apples right now, this would be perfect!
This sheet cake sound really good Laura! Certainly a good choice to brighten up gloomy days!