Caramel Apple Cake.

Autumn is upon us with morning and evening air so crisp and clear.  Air that invites you to breathe in deeply and exhale slowly.  And while you do, listen to the sounds of autumn.  The rustling of newly fallen leaves are a back drop to the percussion sounds of twigs snapping under foot while acorns fall from the trees.

This year I feel as if I’m rediscovering autumn.  Every day when I take our puppy outside she shares her joy and excitement for this new season.  Her ears perk up and twitch with each new sound, she chases leaves as the wind keeps them just out of her reach, and if she could climb trees that squirrel that has been taunting her would be in big trouble.  Say hello to Scrappy Thyme.  She’ll be turning one on Halloween day.

Now back to this amazing delicious super moist Caramel Apple Cake.  As I’m entering my second autumn season with Lemony Thyme it’s becoming very evident that I’m lacking in the apple and pumpkin recipe department.  I promise to play a little catch up over the next couple weeks.  I found this recipe in a folder of recipes my mom had torn out of magazines or jotted down from friends.  She had crossed through the ‘cake’ ingredients and wrote in “boxed yellow cake mix works great.”  If it worked for mom, it works for me, but feel free to make from scratch if you prefer.

Did I mention how super moist this cake is?  No doubt we have the pudding mix, 4 eggs, and 3 apples to thank for this.  Oh and the warm caramel drizzle may play a role as well.

When this cake comes out of the oven, you’re going to have a hard time holding the family back while it cools.  Promise them it will be worth the wait and then guard it with your life ;)

Once fully cooled, liberally drizzle the melted caramel over the top, allowing it to make it’s way down the sides.  Sprinkle with toffee bits and prepare to be very popular with those around you.

And don’t forget to save a piece of Caramel Apple Cake for yourself before you {Share the Love}.

Print

Caramel Apple Cake

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 16

Ingredients

• 1 boxed yellow cake mix
• 1 box 4-serving size dry vanilla instant pudding & pie filling
• 1 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
• 20 caramels the individually wrapped kind
• 3 Tbl. milk
• 1/4 cup toffee bits
• whipped cream optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 12 cup fluted Bundt pan.
• Beat cake mix, dry pudding, water, eggs and oil in a large bowl until well blended 2-3 minutes. Stir in chopped apple and pour into prepared pan.
• Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
• Microwave caramels and milk for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Cool about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with toffee bits. Serve with dollop of whipped cream.

The post Caramel Apple Cake {Share the Love} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Autumn Thyme, we look forward to your arrival.  May we tempt you with a Caramel Apple Martini? 

Picture note1:  Did you notice the most beautiful piece of weathered wood in the picture above?  It’s just one of several that were hand delivered to me this week.  They were EXACTLY what I was looking for.  Hogs & Fishes to some very special folks.

Picture note2:  It’s September and we’re ready to welcome in fall.  It’s also still very much summer in Georgia (84 degrees at picture time).  So please envision these beautiful cocktails served on a cool evening, with apple slices still coated in the caramel and chopped peanuts (that now lay on my gorgeous piece of weathered wood).

Print

Caramel Apple Martini

Course Cocktail

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For caramel…

• 6 Tbl. packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. butter
• 2 Tbl. water

For garnish…

• 2 Granny Smith slices
• 1 Tbl. chopped peanuts

For martini…

• 2 oz.sour apple-flavored schnapps
• 2 oz. butterscotch-flavored schnapps
• 2 oz apple-flavored vodka
• 2 cups ice

Instructions

• In small microwavable bowl, microwave Caramel ingredients on High 40 to 60 seconds or just until it begins to boil. Dip each apple slice into caramel; sprinkle each with 1/2 tablespoon peanuts. Set aside. Cool remaining caramel slightly.
• Spoon cooled caramel into each of 2 martini glasses. Place glasses in freezer while making martinis.
• In martini shaker, place schnapps, liqueur and vodka; shake well. Strain into chilled martini glasses. Garnish with caramel-dipped apple slices.

The post Caramel Apple Martini appeared first on Lemony Thyme.