Caramel Apple Pound Cake

Caramel Apple Pound Cake combines tender, spiced apples with a moist pound cake, all topped with a rich and buttery caramel glaze.

Caramel Apple Pound Cake is a warm apple cake drenched in buttery, gooey caramel sauce. Life-in-the-Lofthouse.com

This is one of my favorite fall cake recipes I’ve ever eaten. Hands down. A warm apple cake drenched in buttery, gooey caramel sauce? It doesn’t get much better than that. This cake is the epitome of fall, and I don’t know about you, but I have been patiently waiting for Fall to arrive. We’re still soaring in the high 90s here in Southern Utah, and I can’t take it anymore! I am so ready for cool crisp air, to wear some jeans, and decorate my house for Halloween! (which I’m going to do next weekend anyway…) So if you’re craving a fall dessert and fall vibes like me, whip up this delicious delight as soon as possible. Serve it with some vanilla ice cream and you will not be disappointed!

CARAMEL APPLE POUND CAKE

Caramel Apple Pound Cake is a sweet and comforting dessert bursting with fall flavors. Moist, tender pound cake is studded with juicy, finely chopped apples and perfectly spiced with warm apple pie spices. Every bite is soft and fruity, while the rich, buttery caramel glaze adds a luscious, slightly sweet finish that melts over the top. This combination of tender cake, sweet apples, and gooey caramel creates a dessert that’s irresistible for fall potlucks, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, or cozy nights at home. If you’re a caramel apple lover, you’re going to want to save this recipe for later!

Find my expert tips on how to make caramel apple pound cake from scratch below! Don’t forget to tag me in your caramel apple dip creations on Instagram and Facebook @lifeinthelofthouse. Happy fall baking!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Caramel Apple Pound Cake Recipe:

  • Moist & Tender Pound Cake: Made with vegetable oil, eggs, and sugar, this pound cake is soft, buttery, and perfect for slicing.
  • Sweet, Juicy Apples: Chopped Red Delicious apples add natural sweetness and a hint of tart flavor, giving the cake a fresh, fruity taste.
  • Warm Apple Pie Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice combine to give this cake that classic fall dessert flavor everyone loves.
  • Rich Homemade Caramel Glaze: A buttery, brown sugar caramel glaze drizzled over the cake adds decadent sweetness and a slightly salty finish.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: This Caramel Apple Pound Cake recipe tastes even better the next day. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for easy serving later.
  • Perfect For Fall Gatherings: Serve this apple pound cake at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy gathering. It also pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Caramel Apple Pound Cake is a warm apple cake drenched in buttery, gooey caramel sauce. Life-in-the-Lofthouse.com

Ingredients

Apple Pound Cake

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons apple pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 medium Red Delicious apples peeled and finely chopped (about 2 cups)

Caramel Glaze

  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons milk

Instructions

For The Apple Pound Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 12-cup fluted tube cake pan.

In a large bowl, add the granulated sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs. With an electric hand mixer, beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Gradually beat in flour, apple pie spice, salt and baking soda until just combined. Stir in apple pieces.

Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack.

For The Caramel Glaze

Place all glaze ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until butter melts, and then comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Spoon glaze all over the warm cake.

Cut cake into slices and serve with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Servings

Yields: 12 servings.

Storage and Reheating

Store the leftover pound cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight before serving. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for 10–20 seconds or the whole cake in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes, covered loosely with foil. Serve warm for the best flavor, especially with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or an extra drizzle of caramel glaze.

Holly’s Tips for The Best Caramel Apple Pound Cake:

  • Select The Right Apples: Use firm, sweet-tart varieties like Red Delicious or Honeycrisp for tender, juicy pieces that won’t turn mushy in the cake.
  • Room Temperature Is Best: Keeping the eggs and oil at room temperature helps create a smooth, evenly textured pound cake.
  • Mix Carefully: Stir the batter until just combined to prevent a dense cake. Overmixing can make it tough.
  • Check For Doneness: Bake 55–65 minutes, but start checking at 50 minutes with a toothpick. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking to keep the pound cake moist and tender.
  • Caramel Glaze Tip: Pour the caramel glaze over the cake while it’s warm to let it soak in slightly for maximum flavor.
  • Serve Warm: Pair warm slices with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this fall pound cake ahead of time?

Absolutely. The cake tastes even better the next day once the flavors have melded. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, while Red Delicious apples are recommended for their sweetness and texture, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples also work well. Just make sure they are firm so they hold up in the cake.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of making the glaze?

Yes! You can drizzle your favorite store-bought caramel sauce over the cake, though making the homemade glaze adds a richer, buttery flavor.

Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil in the cake?

You can, but it may make the cake slightly denser. Vegetable oil keeps the pound cake moist and tender.

How can I make Caramel Apple Pound Cake dairy-free?

To make Caramel Apple Pound Cake dairy-free, use a plant-based butter substitute (like Earth Balance or Country Crock Plant Butter) in the caramel glaze and replace the milk with a non-dairy option such as almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk. The cake itself is naturally dairy-free since it’s made with vegetable oil instead of butter.

How can I make Caramel Apple Pound Cake gluten-free?

To make Caramel Apple Pound Cake gluten-free, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum (such as Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur). These blends mimic the texture of regular flour and help the cake stay moist and tender. Be sure to check that your baking soda, apple pie spice, and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Similar Recipes

Craving something similar? My Caramel Apple Slices are bite-sized and delicious.

Looking for something different? Try my White Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles and Pumpkin Rolls next.

In the mood for more caramel apple-inspired recipes? My Caramel Apple Sheet Cake is a delicious cinnamon apple cake with a warm caramel glaze.

Looking for a fall party and potluck dessert? My Apple Crumble Bars have a sweet, creamy apple filling layered between a crumbly oat topping and crust. Yummy!

Have you made this Caramel Apple Pound Cake recipe? 🍎
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #FallRecipes #CaramelApplePoundCake #FallCake #LifeInTheLofthouse

Caramel Apple Pound Cake on a cooling rack

Caramel Apple Pound Cake

Caramel Apple Pound Cake is a sweet and comforting dessert bursting with fall flavors. Moist, tender pound cake is studded with juicy, finely chopped apples and perfectly spiced with warm apple pie spices.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12
Author: Holly

Ingredients

Apple Pound Cake

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons apple pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 medium Red Delicious apples peeled and finely chopped (about 2 cups)

Caramel Glaze

  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons milk

Instructions

For The Apple Pound Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 12-cup fluted tube cake pan.
  • In a large bowl, add the granulated sugar, oil, vanilla and eggs. With an electric hand mixer, beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.
  • Gradually beat in flour, apple pie spice, salt and baking soda until just combined. Stir in apple pieces.
  • Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack.

For The Caramel Glaze

  • Place all glaze ingredients in a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat. Stir until butter melts, and then comes to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Spoon glaze all over the warm cake.
  • Cut cake into slices and serve with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
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Caramel Apple Pound Cake is a warm apple cake drenched in buttery, gooey caramel sauce. Life-in-the-Lofthouse.com

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28 Comments

  1. I agree…HOLY COW!!! It looks amazing and definitely screams Fall!!! It finally is in the 70’s here. Loving wearing jeans again:-) And I am ready to break out the Halloween decorations too!!!

  2. That is why this was #1 on the TTT party last week! Your cake looks delish! Hope it cools down for you soon. We are finally feeling the cooler weather and it is heaven!

  3. wow!!! cant wait to make this! n i hear you i just moved to the south from cali n this will be my first official fall!! i shall celebrate with this cake!! =)

  4. Wow, your photos look amazing just like the cake, thanks for sharing my recipe and I do hope it cools down for you soon, we are finally feeling cooler temps in VA and will be in the lower 50’s tonight…I started to put out some of my fall stuff yesterday but I was worried I was too soon, I think not!

  5. I also cannot wait for Autumn! We started our week here in NY in the lower 70s and it’s absolutely perfect. My husband and I should be moving into our first house a week or so before Halloween and I hope I can decorate sufficiently in time for some trick-or-treaters!

    This cake looks scrumptious! Can’t wait to try!! Pinning for later 🙂

  6. Oh WOOOOW! I want a big piece right now. I adore the pan dripping with the sauce in the background. =) I am wild about caramel. Hope it cools down for you soon. I decorated my house with fall decor last weekend and I love it!!!

  7. Mmmmmm……….caramel sauce and apples – nothing says fall, hayride, pep rally, football, or Halloween better than that! I’ll have to make this for my daughter – she’s not a fan of frosting and loves a good bundt cake!

  8. I’ve never seen apple pie spice before (only pumpkin pie spice). Can you tell me where to find it or what i could use to substitute?

  9. Hi! Do you think I could use apple sauce for some of the oil in this recipe? Also, need to cut back on the sugar. Maybe 1/2 sugar and 1/2 splenda?

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