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Fall flavors are all over this old-fashioned apple sheet cake recipe. Tart apples get baked into a soft, fluffy sponge with cozy cinnamon. Each square is served warm with a drizzle or dollop of the most incredible caramel sauce. Watch the leaves and weather turn while enjoying spoonful after spoonful of this outrageously good apple slab cake as part of your fall baking. It’s a fantastic option for gatherings or just a delightful snack at home. If you’re an apple lover looking for a delicious treat, this apple cake with caramel sauce is sure to hit the spot!
Make the perfect dessert or coffee treat with this recipe for apple sheet cake with golden caramel sauce. It’s dripping with autumnal flavors we crave this time of year.
Also try apple pie cupcakes and apple Bisquick cobbler. Apple cookies, apple cinnamon loaf, apple ginger cake, and apple jello shots are also good.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: The simple steps and common ingredients make this recipe a breeze, perfect for baking newbies.
Perfect for any occasion: This cake will impress whether it’s a family gathering or a casual weeknight.
Caramel sauce upgrade: Homemade caramel sauce adds a rich, luxurious touch that takes this dessert to the next level.
Apple Sheet Cake Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
All-purpose flour: Standard all–purpose flour is used in this recipe.
Granulated sugar: The granulated sugar in the cake batter and cinnamon apples can be swapped with brown sugar.
Baking powder and baking soda: Use fresh batches of both!
Ground cinnamon: You can leave it out, but it gives you that fall feeling.
Buttermilk: The buttermilk can be substituted with whole milk.
Eggs: Use lovely large eggs at room temperature.
Butter: Unsalted butter is used in the cake batter, cinnamon apples, and caramel sauce. However, salted butter can be used instead. If salted butter is used, consider reducing or omitting the added salt in the ingredients list.
Vanilla extract: The vanilla extract in the cake batter and caramel sauce can be swapped with equal amounts of vanilla essence.
Granny Smith apples: The Granny Smith apples can be substituted with another variety of fresh apples.
Brown sugar: This gives the caramel sauce its rich caramel taste. Don’t substitute with granulated sugar.
Heavy cream: Full-fat heavy cream is best used in the caramel sauce.
How to Make Apple Sheet Cake
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Combine ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk until everything is well mixed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and set aside.
Prepare cinnamon apples: In a separate bowl, mix the sliced apples, granulated sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Gently toss until the apples are coated.
Add apples and bake: Arrange the apple slices on the cake batter. Bake your caramel apple sheet cake.
Make caramel sauce: In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, and cream. Heat over low, stirring occasionally, until the mixture simmers and thickens (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat to serve with your apple cinnamon sheet cake.
Substitutions and Variations
Flour: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version. Substitute whole wheat flour for a slightly denser, nutty flavor.
Sugar: Replace granulated sugar with darker or light brown sugar for a richer, molasses-like taste. Use coconut sugar for a lower glycemic index option.
Buttermilk: To make a buttermilk substitute, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. You can also use plain yogurt for a similar tangy flavor.
Eggs: For a vegan option, substitute 1/4 cup of applesauce per egg. For a natural sweetness and moist texture, use 1/4 cup of mashed bananas per egg.
Butter: For a dairy-free alternative, use vegetable oil or coconut oil instead of melted butter. Swap with a plant-based butter for a vegan option.
Apples: Swap apples with pears or fresh or frozen berries. You could also prepare your fruit into diced apples rather than sliced.
Cinnamon: Experiment with a spice blend like apple pie for a unique twist. Use pumpkin spice for a seasonal flavor change.
Caramel sauce: Use store-bought caramel sauce for a quick and easy option.
Chocolate sauce: Drizzle with chocolate sauce as a chocolate alternative to this caramel apple cake.
Frosting: Make a light, whipped cream cheese frosting to top the cake with.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Make arancini or these fun Sloppy Joe sliders to start. Try this pretty beetroot dip with your favorite veggies and crackers.
Main: Tortellini with garlic steak is always a hit. You could also whip up ground beef stroganoff or my yummy (and so easy) sheet pan pizza Caprese style.
Dessert: End with a cozy slice of this apple cake with caramel and dusted with a little powdered sugar as your dessert cuisine.
How to Store Sheet Pan Apple Cake
Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the caramel sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: The caramel sauce is not suitable for freezing. The cake is suitable for freezing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat: For best results, reheat using the microwave.
Top Tips
Extra fluffy: If you have the time, let the batter sit for 20 minutes before baking for a fluffier texture.
Wait for the sauce to thicken: The caramel sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Measure carefully: Accurate measurements are key to achieving the perfect texture. Use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups for wet ingredients.
Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise.
Don’t overmix: Mix the batter just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense and tough.
Prep the baking dish: Grease and flour your baking dish to prevent sticking. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Apple Sheet Cake FAQs
Yes, you can bake the cake a day or two in advance. Store it covered at room temperature. Reheat slightly before serving for the best taste.
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week.
Yes, but the baking time may need adjustment. If you use a different pan size, please watch the cake and test it with a toothpick for doneness.
Apple Sheet Cake Recipe
Apple Sheet Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake Batter:
- 3 Cups all purpose flour
- 1/3 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 Teaspoon baking soda
- ½ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- 3 Cups buttermilk
- 3 eggs
- ¼ Cup butter, melted
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Apples:
- 3 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 Cup brown sugar
- ¼ Cup butter
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ Teaspoon salt
- ½ Cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until combined and set aside.
- Add the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla extract to another mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk until well combined. Pour into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- To make the cinnamon apples, add the sliced apples, granulated sugar, melted butter and ground cinnamon to another mixing bowl. Mix gently until the apples are coated in the other ingredients.
- Arrange the apple slices over the top of the cake batter in the baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While the sheet pan cakes are baking, make the caramel sauce. Add the brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, salt and heavy cream to a small saucepan. Place the saucepan over a low heat and bring to a simmer.
- Continue simmering for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture turns golden and thickens. Remove from the heat and serve with the baked cake.
Notes
Wait for the sauce to thicken: The caramel sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
Measure carefully: Accurate measurements are key to achieving the perfect texture. Use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups for wet ingredients.
Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better rise.
Don’t overmix: Mix the batter just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense and tough.
Prep the baking dish: Grease and flour your baking dish to prevent sticking. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Nutrition
This simple apple sheet cake is packed with delightful fall flavors. Tart apples blend into a soft, fluffy cake with comforting cinnamon notes. Each slice, served warm, is topped with irresistible caramel sauce. As you enjoy each delicious bite of this fantastic apple slab cake, you’ll savor the essence of autumn with every spoonful.
Other Fall Recipes To Try
- Love ’em or hate ’em – candy corn is a fall must. Try these candy corn and peanut butter cookies– you won’t regret it!
- How about a little set of Harry Potter chocolate frogs? I mean – nothing screams fall movie night more!
- Get the cozy cooking roadshow on the go with my Philly cheesesteak casserole.
- These are the cutest chocolate spider cookies – they never fail to get kids excited.
- Leftover Halloween candy brownies are next-level genius!
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I served the old-fashioned apple sheet cake at a potluck, and it was devoured instantly!
This apple sheet cake with caramel sauce was divine—perfectly fall-flavored and utterly delicious!
It was so moist and dense. We loved it! I think I will try with pears next.