Imagine a dessert that dances between sweet and savory, where classic apple cake meets unexpected herbal sophistication. This Apple and Thyme Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream isn't just a recipe—it's a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary baking into an extraordinary experience. Prepare to wow your taste buds and impress your guests with a cake that's both comfortingly familiar and delightfully surprising.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups diced apples
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, ensuring sides are well-buttered.
- In a medium bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in diced apples and fresh thyme leaves, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the salted caramel buttercream, whip softened butter until creamy, then gradually mix in salted caramel sauce until smooth and spreadable.
- Once cake is completely cooled, frost the top and sides with the salted caramel buttercream.
- Optional: Garnish with additional thyme leaves and a drizzle of caramel sauce before serving.
Tips
- Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance.
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake consistency.
- When adding thyme, chop the leaves finely to distribute the herb's flavor evenly throughout the batter.
- Don't overmix the batter—mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender.
- Use a toothpick or cake tester to check doneness, ensuring it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- For an extra touch of elegance, use a kitchen torch to slightly caramelize the buttercream edges.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 520kcal
Carbohydrates: 62g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 130mg
