When autumn arrives with its crisp air and golden leaves, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked apple pecan cake wafting through your kitchen. This Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze combines the warm flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples, crunchy pecans, and a rich, gooey caramel glaze that cascades down the sides in the most irresistible way. Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering, celebrating Thanksgiving, or simply craving a cozy homemade dessert, this recipe delivers comfort and deliciousness in every single bite.

The beauty of this apple pecan cake lies in its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The cake itself is incredibly moist thanks to fresh apple chunks that release their natural juices during baking, creating tender pockets of fruit throughout the crumb. Chopped pecans add a satisfying crunch and nutty richness that complements the sweetness of the apples beautifully. The crowning glory is undoubtedly the thick, glossy caramel glaze that drips luxuriously down the sides, adding an extra layer of decadence that transforms this from a simple cake into an show-stopping centerpiece dessert.

Why This Apple Pecan Cake Recipe Works Every Time

What makes this particular apple pecan cake recipe so special is its foolproof approach to achieving consistently excellent results. The bundt pan shape ensures even baking throughout, while the generous amount of apples keeps the cake incredibly moist for days. The spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of cloves creates that quintessential autumn flavor profile that everyone loves. Meanwhile, the pecans distributed throughout the batter and pressed into the caramel glaze on top provide textural contrast in every forkful.

The caramel glaze itself deserves special mention because it’s made from scratch and has that perfect thick, viscous consistency that clings to the cake rather than running off immediately. This homemade caramel sauce has a depth of flavor that store-bought versions simply cannot match, with rich buttery notes and just the right amount of sweetness. When you pour it over the slightly warm cake, it seeps into every crevice while maintaining enough body to create those gorgeous drips down the sides that make for such stunning presentation.

Perfect Occasions for Serving This Stunning Dessert

This apple pecan cake with caramel glaze is incredibly versatile and appropriate for countless occasions throughout the fall and winter months. Serve it as the grand finale to your Thanksgiving dinner, bring it to holiday potlucks where it’s guaranteed to disappear quickly, or present it at autumn birthday celebrations for a seasonal twist. The cake also makes a wonderful weekend baking project, filling your home with the most inviting aromas while requiring only basic baking skills and common pantry ingredients.

Because this cake stays moist for several days when properly stored, it’s also perfect for meal prep bakers who like to prepare desserts in advance. Make it on Sunday and enjoy slices throughout the week with your morning coffee or as an after-dinner treat. The flavors actually improve and meld together beautifully after a day or two, making advance preparation not just convenient but actually beneficial for taste development.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
3 cups peeled and diced apples (about 3 medium apples)
1 cup chopped pecans

For the Caramel Glaze:

1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup heavy cream
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 cup whole pecans for topping

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan, making sure to coat every crevice to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout.
In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with both granulated sugar and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium-high speed for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure full incorporation, then mix in the vanilla extract.
Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined after each addition to avoid overmixing which can create a tough texture.
Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped pecans using a rubber spatula, distributing them evenly throughout the batter without deflating the mixture.
Pour the thick batter into your prepared bundt pan, spreading it evenly and gently tapping the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles trapped inside.
Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a wire cooling rack placed over a baking sheet or parchment paper to catch the glaze drips later.
While the cake cools, prepare the caramel glaze by combining brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter melts completely.
Bring the caramel mixture to a gentle boil and let it bubble for 3-4 minutes without stirring, allowing it to thicken slightly and develop deep caramel flavor.
Remove the caramel from heat and stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, then let it cool for about 5 minutes until it reaches a thick, pourable consistency.
Pour the warm caramel glaze generously over the top of the slightly cooled cake, allowing it to drip naturally down the sides and pool around the base.
Immediately press whole pecans into the top of the cake while the caramel is still soft and sticky, creating a beautiful decorative pattern.
Allow the caramel glaze to set for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving, though the cake can be enjoyed slightly warm with the glaze still gooey.

Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze

Moist bundt cake filled with fresh apples and pecans, topped with thick homemade caramel glaze for the perfect fall dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 25

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 485

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Cake

2.5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
0.25 tsp ground cloves
0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
1.5 cups granulated sugar
0.5 cup brown sugar packed
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
3 cups peeled and diced apples about 3 medium apples
1 cup chopped pecans

Caramel Glaze

1 cup brown sugar packed
0.5 cup heavy cream
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1 cup whole pecans for topping

Equipment

10-inch bundt pan
Large mixing bowls
Electric mixer
Wire cooling rack
Medium saucepan

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
In another large bowl, cream softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to wet ingredients, beginning and ending with flour mixture, mixing just until combined.
Gently fold in diced apples and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and tap gently to release air bubbles.
Bake for 55-65 minutes until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto wire rack over baking sheet.
For caramel glaze, combine brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter in saucepan over medium heat, stirring until butter melts.
Bring to gentle boil and cook for 3-4 minutes without stirring to thicken.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt, then cool for 5 minutes until thick but pourable.
Pour warm caramel over cake, allowing it to drip down sides naturally.
Press whole pecans into top of cake while caramel is still soft.
Let glaze set for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for best results. Toast pecans before adding to enhance flavor. Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Expert Tips for Apple Pecan Cake Success

Choosing the right apples makes a significant difference in the final texture and flavor of your cake. Opt for firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking rather than turning to mush. These apples also provide a pleasant tartness that balances the sweetness of the cake and caramel beautifully. Peel and dice the apples into uniform half-inch pieces to ensure even distribution and consistent texture throughout every slice.

When it comes to pecans, toasting them lightly before adding to the batter enhances their natural nutty flavor significantly. Simply spread the chopped pecans on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. This extra step intensifies the pecan taste and adds a subtle roasted quality that elevates the entire cake. For the whole pecans that top the glazed cake, choose attractive, unbroken halves that make a stunning visual presentation.

The caramel glaze consistency is crucial for achieving those gorgeous drips without having the sauce run off completely. If your caramel seems too thin, let it cool for a few additional minutes before pouring. If it becomes too thick and difficult to pour, simply reheat it gently while stirring until it reaches the desired pourable consistency. The glaze should flow slowly and thickly, coating the cake while creating natural drips down the sides rather than running off immediately.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

This apple pecan cake stores exceptionally well, maintaining its moisture and flavor for up to five days when properly covered. Once the caramel glaze has fully set, cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight cake carrier at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating unless your kitchen is very warm, as refrigeration can dry out the cake texture. If you do need to refrigerate, allow slices to come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.

For longer storage, this cake freezes beautifully for up to three months. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in freezer-safe bags with as much air removed as possible. Thaw frozen slices at room temperature for about 2 hours, or microwave individual pieces for 20-30 seconds until just warmed through. The caramel glaze may lose some of its glossy appearance after freezing but the flavor remains absolutely delicious.

Delicious Variations to Try

Transform this recipe into an apple pecan coffee cake by swirling a cinnamon-sugar mixture through the batter before baking and finishing with a simple vanilla glaze instead of caramel. For a boozy adult version, add two tablespoons of bourbon or dark rum to the caramel sauce for depth and complexity. If you love extra spice, increase the cinnamon to one tablespoon and add a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger for a more pronounced warming flavor.

Create individual apple pecan cakes by dividing the batter among greased muffin tins and reducing the baking time to 25-30 minutes. These personal-sized portions are perfect for packed lunches, bake sales, or portion control. For a gluten-free adaptation, substitute the all-purpose flour with a quality gluten-free baking blend in a one-to-one ratio, though the texture may be slightly more dense than the original version.

Serving Suggestions That Elevate the Experience

While this apple pecan cake is absolutely spectacular on its own, serving it with accompaniments can create an even more memorable dessert experience. A generous dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside each slice provides cool, creamy contrast to the warm spices and sweet caramel. For special occasions, serve the cake slightly warmed with the caramel glaze melting into gooey deliciousness, accompanied by a drizzle of additional warm caramel sauce.

Pair slices of this cake with hot beverages that complement its autumn flavors beautifully. Serve alongside spiced apple cider, chai tea, or rich French press coffee for breakfast or brunch gatherings. For afternoon tea service, present thin slices on pretty dessert plates with a dusting of powdered sugar and a few fresh apple slices as garnish for an elegant presentation that impresses guests.

Conclusion: Your New Favorite Fall Dessert Awaits

This Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze represents everything wonderful about fall baking—comforting spices, fresh seasonal fruit, crunchy nuts, and a decadent homemade glaze that brings everything together in the most delicious way possible. The recipe may look lengthy, but each step is straightforward and the results are absolutely worth every minute spent in the kitchen. From the first slice that reveals the tender, apple-studded interior to the last crumb scraped from the plate, this cake delivers pure autumn bliss.

Whether you’re an experienced baker looking for your next show-stopping dessert or a beginner ready to tackle an impressive project, this apple pecan cake with caramel glaze will exceed your expectations. The combination of reliable technique, quality ingredients, and generous amounts of apples and pecans ensures success even for first-time bundt cake bakers. Make this recipe once and it’s guaranteed to become a treasured fall tradition in your household, requested year after year by family and friends who can’t get enough of its irresistible flavor and stunning presentation.

Apple Pecan Cake with Caramel Glaze: The Ultimate Fall Dessert Recipe