Apple Spice Olive Oil Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream Recipe

Introduction

This Apple Spice Olive Oil Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream is a moist, flavorful dessert perfect for cozy gatherings. The combination of warm spices, tender apples, and a rich caramel frosting makes it an irresistible treat.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups olive oil (about 360 ml) or a neutral oil
• 1 1/4 cups sugar (about 250 grams)
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk (about 300 ml)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Juice and zest of 2 oranges
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups plain flour (about 250 grams)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
• For the spiced apples:
  • 2 apples, diced
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
• Frosting:
  • 200 g butter (about 1 cup), softened to room temperature
  • 100 g powdered sugar (about 3/4 cup)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • Caramel sauce (recipe or store-bought)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare an 8-inch round cake pan by greasing it with oil and lining the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Prepare the spiced apples by mixing the diced apples with cinnamon, brown sugar, flour, and salt until well coated. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Whisk to blend evenly.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, sugar, whole milk, vanilla, orange juice and zest, and lemon zest until smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Lightly fold in the spiced apples, being careful not to overmix.
6. Step 6: Quickly pour the batter into the prepared pan and place it in the oven. Bake for about 1 hour, checking at 45 minutes to see if the cake is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely, ideally overnight, for the best texture and flavor.
8. Step 8: To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combined. Add milk or cream and vanilla and continue to whip until smooth and fluffy.
9. Step 9: Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Swirl in the caramel sauce on top and sprinkle with flaky salt if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use a neutral oil like canola if you prefer a milder flavor than olive oil.
• For extra texture, add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to the batter.
• Allowing the cake to rest overnight enhances the flavors and makes slicing easier.
• Use store-bought caramel sauce for convenience or make your own for a homemade touch.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Keep the caramel-frosted cake in an airtight container to prevent drying. Reheat slices gently in the microwave if desired, but frosting may soften.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different fruit instead of apples?

Yes, pears or diced quince with similar spices work well as alternatives while maintaining the autumnal flavor profile.

Why is olive oil used instead of butter in the cake?

Olive oil keeps the cake moist and tender with a slightly fruity undertone. It also creates a lighter texture compared to butter.

Apple Spice Olive Oil Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 145 reviews

This Apple Spice Olive Oil Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream is a moist, flavorful dessert that combines the warm flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg with the fresh zest of citrus and tender chunks of spiced apples. The olive oil keeps the cake rich and tender, while the salted caramel buttercream frosting adds a decadent finishing touch perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (plus cooling/overnight resting time)
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups olive oil (~360 ml) or neutral oil
• 1 1/4 cups sugar (~250 grams)
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk (~300 ml)
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Juice and zest of 2 oranges
• Zest of 1 lemon

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups plain flour (~250 grams)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp nutmeg

Spiced Apples

• 2 apples, diced
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

Frosting

• 200 g butter (soft/at room temperature, ~1 cup)
• 100 g powdered sugar (~3/4 cup)
• 1.5 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream
• 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

Caramel Sauce

• Caramel sauce for swirling on top (quantity as desired)
• Optional flaky salt for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare an 8-inch round cake tin by greasing it with oil and lining the bottom with a parchment paper round to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Spiced Apples: In a bowl, combine the diced apples with cinnamon, brown sugar, flour, and salt. Mix well to evenly coat the apples with the spices and dry ingredients.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the plain flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until fully combined and evenly distributed.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, orange juice and zest, and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix gently just until well combined to avoid overmixing.
6. Fold in Apples: Lightly fold the spiced apple mixture into the batter until just incorporated, taking care not to overmix to preserve apple texture.
7. Pour and Bake: Quickly pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and place it in the oven promptly, as the leavening agents begin activating upon contact with liquids. Bake for about 60 minutes, starting to check doneness at 45 minutes by inserting a toothpick—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan, ideally overnight, to let flavors develop and the texture set.
9. Make Frosting: Using a mixer, whip the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating continuously until smooth. Mix in the milk or cream and vanilla extract and continue beating until the frosting is light and airy.
10. Assemble: Spread the salted caramel buttercream evenly over the cooled cake, swirling in additional caramel sauce on top as desired. Optionally, sprinkle flaky salt on the frosting to enhance the salted caramel flavor.
11. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the cake and serve, enjoying the moist texture with the sweet and spicy notes complemented by the rich buttercream.

Notes

• Use a neutral oil if you prefer a less pronounced olive oil flavor.
• Allowing the cake to cool overnight enhances the texture and flavor development.
• The caramel sauce can be homemade or store-bought based on preference.
• Ensure the butter for frosting is at room temperature to achieve a smooth, fluffy consistency.
• If desired, garnish the frosted cake with additional citrus zest or chopped nuts for extra texture and presentation.

Keywords: apple cake, olive oil cake, spiced cake, salted caramel buttercream, autumn dessert, citrus zest cake, holiday baking