Print

Apple Pie Layer Cake Recipe

Apple Pie Layer Cake Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 26 reviews

This Apple Pie Layer Cake is a delightful fusion of classic apple pie flavors with a moist cinnamon-spiced cake and luscious caramel buttercream frosting. Layers of tender cake are filled with a soft, spiced apple filling, then frosted with a creamy caramel buttercream and optionally drizzled with a homemade apple caramel drip for an extra touch of sweetness. Perfect for celebrations or cozy get-togethers, this cake captures the essence of apple pie in a stunning layered dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake Layers:

  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup (120mL) vegetable oil
  • 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar, light or dark
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240g) sour cream, at room temperature
  • ½ cup (120mL) milk, at room temperature

For the Apple Filling:

  • 6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter
  • 5 cups (590g) peeled, cored, and diced Granny Smith apples
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar, light or dark
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the Caramel Frosting:

  • 1 & ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • ¾ cup (150g) packed brown sugar, light or dark
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 cups (780g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ cup (60mL) caramel sauce (store bought or homemade)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For the Apple Caramel Drip (Optional):

  • 1 cup (130g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons reserved liquid from cooked apples (or more to reach desired consistency)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Butter three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Lightly dust the sides with flour and tap out any excess. Set aside.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Cream Fats and Sugars: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together softened butter, vegetable oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is well combined and light in color, about 1 minute. The texture will be grainy but without large butter clumps.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Whisk in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract with the last egg to incorporate.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately fold in the dry flour mixture and the sour cream and milk. Begin by folding in about one-third of the dry mix, followed by all the sour cream, then another third of dry ingredients, all of the milk, and finally the remaining dry ingredients. Mix gently to avoid overmixing, ensuring a tender cake crumb.
  6. Bake the Cake Layers: Divide batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake in the center rack of the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Remove parchment paper and let cool completely to room temperature.
  7. Make Apple Pie Filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and combine with diced Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring often, until butter and sugar are melted. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until apples soften but remain intact. Avoid overcooking to maintain their shape. Strain mixture, reserving apples and liquid separately, then let cool to room temperature.
  8. Prepare Caramel Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt and powdered sugar, mix on low until powdered sugar dissolves. Add caramel sauce and vanilla extract, then whip for an additional 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy. If frosting is too thick, thin with a bit more caramel sauce or milk.
  9. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thin, even layer of frosting on top, then pipe a frosting border around the edges to contain the apple filling. Spoon half of the apple filling into the center, spreading evenly to the frosting border. Repeat with the second layer—adding cake, frosting border, and remaining apple filling. Top with the third cake layer.
  10. Frost the Cake: Apply the remaining caramel buttercream frosting evenly over the top and sides of the assembled cake, smoothing it out for a clean finish.
  11. Optional Apple Caramel Drip: In a medium bowl, whisk powdered sugar with 3 tablespoons of the reserved apple cooking liquid. Adjust liquid quantity to achieve a smooth icing consistency. Drizzle over the cake edges for a decorative drip effect. Garnish with an apple on top if desired.
  12. Chill and Serve: The cake can be served immediately, but chilling in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes helps firm the frosting for clean slices. Serve and enjoy this deliciously cozy apple pie-inspired layer cake.

Notes

  • For apples, choose varieties that hold their shape when cooked and have a balanced tartness and sweetness. Granny Smith apples are ideal, but Braeburn, Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Honey Crisp can also be used.
  • Use caramel sauce instead of caramel syrup for the frosting, as caramel syrup is thinner and sweeter, which affects the texture and flavor of the buttercream negatively.
  • You can prepare the apple filling and cake layers ahead of time to save time on the baking day.
  • Make sure all dairy ingredients and eggs are at room temperature to ensure proper mixing and texture of the batter and frosting.
  • For best results, use an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to cream the butter and sugars effectively.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple pie layer cake, apple cake, caramel buttercream cake, fall dessert, layered cake, apple cinnamon cake, caramel frosting cake

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/apple-pie-layer-cake-recipe/