Published: Sep 19, 2022 · Modified: Apr 25, 2024

Caramelized Apple Bundt Cake

This caramelized apple bundt cake is a beautiful fall cake. It is a simple Bundt cake that is filled with homemade pastry cream and delicious caramelized apples. The cake is then drizzled with some more of the homemade (and incredible!) caramel sauce, and topped with more apples.

Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients. It is totally worth the time it takes to make the pastry cream and homemade caramel sauce.

You could even use a store-bought caramel sauce, but why would you do that, when the homemade version is just so lovely! The cake could even be made a day ahead of time to save on some time.

Actually, each component could be made ahead of time. The important thing is that you just make it! It’s a stunner of a cake.

This is a cake to make for company, for family, or just for yourself!! I’m kidding, it really would be a little excessive to make for just yourself. But you know what, you deserve it!

Originally published in July 2013 and updated for content in September 2022. You know I have a weak spot for apple desserts. Caramelized Apple Bundt Cake is just impossible to resist! I know it's not even close to fall. It is the middle of another scorching hot summer and what better way for me to dream a little about cooler temps and the leaves changing than with an amazing apple cake.

Who am I kidding?!? The leaves never change in these parts of Florida. A girl can dream! This cake...oh, this cake! Caramel is another little problem I secretly deal with. I can't tell you how I avoid it.

I love Heath bars...there! I said it. Adore them. And I love any ice-cream with caramel. Dulce de leche: HUGE PROBLEM. This cake...

Why You’ll Love Caramelized Apple Bundt Cake

Could it be because this cake is full of fall goodness with a combination of apples and filled with homemade pastry cream. Or maybe the best part of the recipe is that the entire cake is dripping in homemade caramel sauce!

When I say dripping, I mean dripping! You could drizzle on the sauce and it doesn’t matter how messy it is. I do suggest not eating it all before you pour it onto the cake.

It is an impressive cake. So if you happen to have friends coming over for dinner, whip up this cake and “wow” your friends!

Homemade caramel sauce

While the cake is baking, you could make the homemade caramel sauce. Or you could even make it ahead of time.

Most important tip is to melt the sugar until it reaches a dark amber color. As soon as it reaches that color, remove the pan from the heat.

Add in the butter with the pan off the heat and stir it into the sugar.
Taking the pan off the heat stops the sugar from burning. Bitter caramel sauce is not what we are going for here!

Then with the pan off the heat, slowly add in the heavy cream. It gets poured into the sugar mixture in a thin line while you carefully whisk it all together.

If this step is rushed, you’ll end up with a lumpy caramel sauce. So the goal is no bitter caramel sauce and definitely, no lumpy caramel sauce.

You know I realized I don't post enough recipes with pastry cream. Pastry cream is so easy to whip up and so incredible stuffed in between a gorgeous bundt that has a gooey caramel drizzle.

Remember my recent caramel sauce and pastry cream recipe? They were an important part of this incredible cake! The caramel sauce and pastry cream is so versatile. You can use it in so many amazing recipes...let's see what else I make with them this summer;)

What ingredients are in this apple cake?

Here is what you will need. The list is long, but it's worth it to make! (full printable recipe below)

For the cake:

granulated sugar
coconut oil, or any mild flavored oil
butter, softened, or margarine
eggs
vanilla extract
fresh lemon juice and rind
all-purpose flour
baking powder
baking soda
sea salt
buttermilk (or unsweetened almond milk with lemon juice or vinegar, for dairy-free)
sour cream, or a dairy-free unflavored yogurt (for dairy-free)

For the pastry cream:

egg yolks
sugar
cornstarch
sea salt
whole milk or unsweetened almond milk (for dairy-free)
pure vanilla extract
unsalted butter, cut into small pieces or margarine (for dairy-free)

For assembling the cake:

apples
unsalted butter (or margarine for dairy-free)
sugar
caramel sauce (ingredient list below)
pastry cream (ingredient list below)

For the caramel sauce:

granulated sugar
butter (or margarine for dairy-free)
heavy whipping cream (coconut cream for dairy-free)

After spreading on the pastry cream I realized that the filling definitely needed a little bit of caramelized apples. It also needed a little bit of caramel drizzled on top!

So here is how I put the cake together.

Once the cake cooled down, I sliced it in the middle.

I spread some of the luscious pastry cream on the bottom layer. You could add as much or as little of the cream as you would like.

Then I spooned on some of the caramelized apples and placed the top layer of the cake on top of the cream layer.

Once the cake was assembled, I decided it needed a little bit more of the caramelized apples on top and some more of that delicious homemade caramel sauce.

But you see, this is what I was looking for. I wanted the pastry cream to be nice and thick in the middle.

How to store this Bundt cake?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Once you fill it with the pastry cream, it will be best enjoyed within a couple days.

Can I freeze this cake?

The Bundt cake on its own could be frozen. Do not slice it and fill with the pastry cream and apples. The cake could be frozen in and wrapped tightly with plastic wrap and in airtight container for up to 2 months.

I suggest you freeze it without pouring the thickened caramel sauce and without the pastry cream. Make the pastry cream, apples, and caramel sauce when you're ready to enjoy the cake.

Some other apple recipes to enjoy:

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