Frosted Caramel Apple Layer Cake

Serves 16
Time 1 hr 10 min
Frosted Caramel Apple Layer Cake

Make and frost this old-fashioned double-layer cake a day or two in advance, if you like. Simply keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve and the tangy buttermilk and applesauce in the batter will help to keep the cake moist.

Special Diets:

VegetarianVegetarian

Ingredients

    <b>For the Caramel Cake</b>
    2 cupswhole wheat pastry flour
    1 3/4 cupsall-purpose flour
    1 tablespoonbaking powder
    1 1/2 teaspoonsbaking soda
    1 1/2 teaspoonsground cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoonfine sea salt
    1 1/2 cupspacked light brown sugar
    3/4 cupcanola oil
    3/4 cupunsweetened applesauce
    3/4 cupjarred caramel dessert sauce or dulce de leche
    2 teaspoonspure vanilla extract
    3eggs
    1 1/2 cupsbuttermilk
    <b>For the Apple Frosting</b>
    5 cups(about 1 pound) powdered sugar
    1/2 cup(1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
    1/3 cupapple cider or apple juice
    1/2 teaspoonground cinnamon
    fine sea salt
    Dried apple slices (optional)

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Method

For the cake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


Lightly oil and flour two (9-by-2-inch) round cake pans; set aside.


In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.


In a second large bowl, beat sugar and oil together with an electric mixer until well combined, about 30 seconds.


Add applesauce, dulce de leche and vanilla, beat for 30 seconds, then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.


Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, and continuing to beat until well combined.


Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of each cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes.


Set aside to let cool for 10 minutes, then gently loosen cakes and turn out onto a cooking rack; set aside to cool completely.


For the frosting, put sugar, butter, cider, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.


Arrange one cake on a large plate and spread about 2/3 cup of the frosting evenly over the top.


Arrange second cake on top then frost top and sides of entire cake with remaining frosting.


Decorate with dried apple slices, if you like, then set aside at room temperature or in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow frosting to set before serving.

Nutritional Info

Serving Size

Calories

550

Total Fat

19g

Saturated Fat

5g

Cholesterol

60mg

Sodium

350mg

Total Carbohydrate

92g

Dietary Fiber

3g

Total Sugars

67g

Protein

6g

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.