Apple Sheet Cake Recipe With Caramel Frosting

Ready for another apple cake? Today’s recipe is for an apple sheet cake. With Halloween and Thanksgiving approaching, not all things need to be pumpkin. Sorry pumpkin lovers, step aside this is for all you fall loving apple lovers! It has a yummy caramel drizzle with nuts. But, you could frost the cake if you prefer. Yum! This is such a moist apple cake you will love it. It says happy fall like nothing else can. Trust me! 

Not what you are looking for? Try any of our other easy cake recipes. 

It’s super easy to make. I only made a few adjustments to the recipe itself. Then created my own frosting, which is just as easy to make. I kept it a bit thinner as sometimes you just don’t need a thick frosting to compete with the cake. But, you can make the frosting it thicker if you like. Or use a store bought caramel frosting.

This is like cake meets frosting and marries, then lives happily ever after. Ok, well you get the point it’s a match made in heaven.

Apple Sheet Cake

You only need a few simple baking ingredients to make this apple sheet cake and caramel frosting. Most you’ll have in your cupboards. Especially if you love baking! Like I do. I think I have two shelves of baking goods. Do you know what that means? More good recipes will be coming. Wink, wink.

Apple Sheet Cake with Caramel Frosting

Supplies needed for the cake recipe

• exact details listed in the printable recipe
• flour
• baking soda
• cinnamon
• butter x2 = 1 cup
• shortening I use Crisco
• eggs
• vanilla
• 2 large apples ( I prefer green for this) = to about 2.25 cups
• dulce de leche *caramel
• powdered sugar
• half and half or milk
• white vinegar
• chopped pecans

Making your own buttermilk easy to so at home and no need to purchase a container for only using half a cup. Take 1/2 cup half n half or milk and add 2 tbsp. of white vinegar stir and wait 15 minutes. Hello, buttermilk!

Now, let’s get to making this recipe. It’s super easy. I used a technique I had never tried before.

With the exception of grabbing shots of what I did on the stove, the steps are shown above for making the cake.

1. First, grab all your supplies listed above.
2. Then grab your sheet cake/jelly roll pan (mine is this airbake T-fal which I love!)
3. The only other things you’ll need are your mixing bowls, spoon, spatula, and hot pads.

Steps For Making Your Apple Sheet Cake

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees

1. Mix together and set to the side
2. Put your first 3 ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Flour,  sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Make your buttermilk mixture and set to the side for 15 minutes. If making vs. purchasing
4. Next, grab a pot or non-stick pan.
5. You are going to add your butter, shortening and 1 cup water. (This is the part that is different for any other recipe I have made, stick with me here though) You are going to bring these items to a boil, while occasionally stirring.
6. Then add the just boiled ingredients into your flour mixture, stir together well.
7. Follow by adding the ingredients one by one, until the cake mix is made.
8. Take your pre-made or store bought half cup buttermilk and mix it into your bowl as pictured above.
9. Next, add your baking soda and mix well.
10. Then add your eggs and mix well.
11. And lastly your vanilla and mix well
12. Fold in your apples, blending well/
13. Then add the baking batter into pre-sprayed (PAM) sheet cake baking pan. 

• Bake about 20-30 minutes depending on oven/altitude.
• While the cake is cooling make the frosting.
• The frosting recipe is in the printable recipe below.

Printable Recipe

Apple Sheet Cake With Caramel Recipe

Yield: 18

Apple Sheet Cake

Print

A moist delicious apple cake with a caramel frosting. Optional Add chopped pecans to caramel topping. Or top with your favorite frosting. This cake is a crowd pleaser! Serve alone or with ice cream.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• flour 2 cups + 2 tablespoons
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Crisco shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup buttermilk store-bought or 1/2 cup half n half or milk + 2 tablespoons of white vinegar set for 15 minutes prior to using
• 2 large apples equal to 2-1/4 cup chopped apples I used large green Pippen apples but, you can use any you like, remember you may need more than 2 if your apples aren't large
• Frosting
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1 to 1-1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 can dulce de leche caramel use 1/2 cup
• 2 tablespoons half n half or milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Steps For Making Your Apple Sheet Cake Recipe

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
2. Mix together and set to the side; Put your first 3 ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Flour, sugar and cinnamon.
3. Make your butter milk mixture and set to side for 15 minutes. If making vs. purchasing
4. Next grab a pot or non stick pan. Your going to add your butter, shortening and 1 cup water. (This is the part that is different for any other recipe I have made, stick with me here though) You are going to bring these items to a boil, while occasionally stirring. Then add the just boiled ingredients into your flour mixture, stir together well.
5. Take your pre-made or store bought half cup buttermilk and mix it into your bowl as pictured above.
6. Next add your baking soda and mix well
7. Then add your eggs and mix well
8. And lastly your vanilla and mix well.
9. Fold in your apples, blending well; Then add the baking batter into pre-sprayed (PAM) sheet cake baking pan.
10. While cooling make the frosting.

Frosting Directions

1. Start with 1/2 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup dulce de leche caramel, 1-1/2 - 2 tsp. vanilla. Blend together.
2. Then adding powdered sugar by starting with 1 cup powdered sugar but, may go to 1-1/2 cup powdered sugar depending on how thick or thin you want your frosting.
3. Note: Add 2 tablespoons half n half or milk to thin, before adding more powdered sugar.
4. Blend this well. Spread onto cooled apple cake then sprinkle with chopped pecans (or walnuts)
5. Bake time may vary by oven or altitude. (See notes) 
6. Cool completely prior to frosting.
7. Make the caramel frosting or purchase your favorite to top your cake.

Notes

Notes on Baking Time:

1. Bake time may vary by oven or altitude. 
2. The original recipe called for 20 minutes in my oven it took about 30 minutes.
3. My recommendation is to check at 20 minutes and every 5-10 minutes after. 
4. Test with a clean toothpick or knife. If it comes out clean it's done.
5. Cool completely prior to frosting.

Adapted from Caramel Apple Sheet Cake

Nutrition Information

Yield

18

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 342Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 57mgSodium 171mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 3gSugar 21gProtein 4g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

This cake is a crowd pleaser! I hope you enjoy making it.

Looking for other cake, muffin or dessert recipes? Be sure to check out our baking page and Pinterest boards.

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Recipes with Apples (for baking)

• Apple Muffins
• Apple Cider Muffins
• Apple Crisp
• Easy Cake Recipes

What is your favorite sheet cake or cake recipe?