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Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream and Apples

Oct 14 by Anita 56 Comments

Apple Salted Caramel Chocolate cake closeup
 

Indian summer continues on in full swelter here in the bay area. It’s honestly the hottest it’s been here for the last six months: the mornings start out promisingly grey and overcast, and then by mid-morning it’s just cloudless sky and shimmering heat. Not-so-little-Isabelle is growing out of her summer t-shirts and shorts, clothes I thought I could safely pack away by now but instead I’m desperately hoping will still fit until cooler weather finally arrives.

Apple Salted Caramel Chocolate cake overhead
 

Despite the fact that fall never arrives quite timely here, my cravings are already shifting towards the dark, rich, and decadent.

Thus, this ultra rich blackout chocolate cake with an equally lush salted caramel buttercream, and a layer of sautéed apples to firmly ground it in fall. Chocolate and caramel is a classic, cozy combination; adding the apples was more of an experiment on my part, but I guessed the apples + caramel connection would pull all the components together. The gamble worked: it tastes like a caramel apple wrapped in chocolate, sweet and tangy and chocolatey all together. The topping of whipped cream and brûléed apples adds the final counterpoint to balance all the richness below. It feels luxurious and indulgent, the way you want your fall desserts.

Since this cake is so rich, I’ve rendered it as a 6 inch cake. This midnight black cake is inspired by the traditional Ebinger’s blackout cake and other oil-based cake recipes; the oil and sour cream in this recipe give it that addictively moist yet tender crumb. The husband has gone on record saying it’s his favorite chocolate cake of all the ones I’ve made. Its smooth chocolate flavor serves as a dark undercurrent beneath a sweet-smoky caramel buttercream flecked with sea salt. I did a version with confectioners’ sugar for this cake, which is a little simpler if you’re pressed for time, but honestly this swiss meringue version doesn’t take that much longer, and now that I’ve made both, I think this one is worth the extra effort on the stove.

Apple Salted Caramel Chocolate cake window
 

I love any kind of baking apple; Granny Smith works here, or Honeycrisp is a personal favorite. The sautéed apples are simple enough, but the brûléed apples were inspired by a recent visit to Bluestem, a local restaurant, where I got to taste their new fall dessert menu. I love all the different layers of sweet in this cake, from fruity to caramelized to fudgy.

Now that I’ve spoken so glowingly of our never-ending summer, I’m positive things will take a turn and we’ll have rain clouds hovering over us next week. One can hope. In the meantime, stay cool – or stay warm, as the case might be, wherever you are!

Apple Salted Caramel Chocolate cake slice
 
  

 

Chocolate Cake with Apples and Salted Caramel Buttercream

One 6-in two layer cake
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Chocolate Cake

  • 3/4 cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) sugar
  • 1/3 cup (28 g) cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) sour cream
  • 1/2 cup (120 g) hot water
  • 1/3 cup (73 g) canola oil
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Salted Caramel Buttercream

  • 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) water
  • 1/2 cup (120 g) boiling water
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apples

  • 2 medium baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1-in pieces
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) heavy cream

For the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 6-in round baking pans with nonstick spray and line bottoms with rounds of parchment paper.
  • Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, espresso powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
  • Add the sour cream, water, oil, egg, and vanilla extract and stir together to combine into a smooth batter.
  • Divide between the two prepared pans and bake for 20-24 minutes until tops are set and a cake tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and cool on wire racks for 15 minutes before unmolding. Let finish cooling on wire racks.

For the buttercream:

  • Place the 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan. Cook on medium heat until sugar melts and comes to boil. When the syrup becomes dark golden, remove from heat and add the 1/2 cup boiling water. Add in the sea salt. Let syrup cool to room temperature before using.
  • Combine the final 1/2 cup of sugar and egg whites in a medium heatproof bowl and place over a pan of simmering water.
  • Whisk the sugar mixture constantly over heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and shiny, about 3 minutes. Continue whisking until temperature of mixture reaches 160 degrees F using a candy thermometer.
  • Remove mixture from heat and pour into a stand mixer bowl. Whisk on medium speed for about 5 minutes until the mixture has cooled.
  • Switch to the paddle attachment and with the speed on low, add the butter a few pieces at a time, beating until smooth.
  • When all the butter has been added, add in the vanilla and the caramel syrup and beat the buttercream on medium-high speed for about 6-10 minutes until it is very thick and smooth.
  • The buttercream is ready to be used. Place a piece of plastic wrap against the surface until you are ready to use it to prevent it from drying out.

For the apples:

  • Peel and core the apples. Put aside half an apple for the topping. Cut the remaining apples into 1/2 inch cubes. Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the apples and sauté for about 8 minutes until the apples are semi-soft.
  • Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon to the apples and stir to combine. Cook until mixture begins to bubble, then turn heat to low and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer filling to a bowl and let cool.

To assemble:

  • Place one cake layer on a cake round or plate. Place buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a 1/2" star tip and pipe filling over the cake layer.
  • Spread about half of the apple filling over the buttercream. You can save the rest for another use (it's great warmed over vanilla ice cream).
  • Place the second cake layer on top. Whip cream into soft peaks and spread over the top.
  • Slice the reserved apple half into thin slices. Spread out on a baking sheet and sprinkle generously with sugar. Using a handheld kitchen torch brûlée the sugar until the apples look glazed. You can also place the sheet under the oven broiling unit if you don't have a torch.
  • Serve immediately. Or, you can refrigerate the cake with the whipped cream for a day. Be sure to cover it so it doesn't pick up any flavors from the refrigerator. Bring the cake out about 15 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature.

Filed Under: Cakes, Recipes Tagged With: apple, cake, caramel, chocolate

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Comments

  1. 1

    Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    Oct 14 at 1:05 am

    Whoaaaa what a stunner!! This cake looks unreal!

    Reply
  2. 2

    Nicola Miller Editor of The Millers Tale says

    Oct 14 at 5:12 am

    What a pretty little cake and thank goodness for more ideas to use up our glut of apples.

    Reply
  3. 3

    Caroline Ciener says

    Oct 14 at 11:04 am

    This looks amazing! I have such a sweet tooth for stuff like this.

    Reply
  4. 4

    Annie | MontgomeryFest says

    Oct 14 at 11:07 am

    holy yum. and i can totally trick myself by thinking its healthy….there’s apple slices on top! 😉

    Reply
  5. 5

    Erin @ Texanerin Baking says

    Oct 14 at 11:29 am

    Oooh… someone else who adds the metric measurements! Yay. 🙂

    That salted caramel buttercream sounds incredible! I think if I made that part first, I’d never get around to making the cake. 😉

    Reply
  6. 6

    Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

    Oct 14 at 11:40 am

    Love this! Chocolate and caramel are my favorite!

    Reply
  7. 7

    Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says

    Oct 14 at 12:05 pm

    Such a beautiful presentation! I love it!

    Reply
  8. 8

    Cookin Canuck says

    Oct 14 at 12:11 pm

    I’m so into fall right now that I get a little bit bitter every time the hot weather comes out. So I keep cooking soups and stews…that will make fall stick around, right? This cake is absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  9. 9

    Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says

    Oct 14 at 12:13 pm

    This is completely gorgeous!!

    Reply
  10. 10

    The Food Hunter says

    Oct 14 at 12:51 pm

    that is the coolest looking cake!

    Reply
  11. 11

    Carolann says

    Oct 14 at 1:43 pm

    Amazing looking photos and amazing sounding cake – will be trying this one out!

    Reply
  12. 12

    Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says

    Oct 14 at 2:00 pm

    It’s hot here where I am too. I hate it. I want fall weather! This cake almost looks to pretty to eat. So pretty and yummy! 🙂

    Reply
  13. 13

    Paula - bell'alimento says

    Oct 14 at 2:05 pm

    That is one gorgeous looking cake!

    Reply
  14. 14

    Frenchell says

    Oct 14 at 2:37 pm

    This looks delicious and I love your website! serious yummy recipes!

    Reply
  15. 15

    Jessica (Savory Experiments) says

    Oct 14 at 2:46 pm

    The whole cake looks divine, but I’m fairly certain I could eat the salted caramel buttercream by the bowl full!

    Reply
  16. 16

    karissa says

    Oct 14 at 3:26 pm

    Wow that cake looks beautiful and I bet it tastes great.

    Reply
  17. 17

    Heather // girlichef says

    Oct 14 at 3:35 pm

    There is nothing about this that I don’t love and want – but ohemgee that Swiss meringue! (although I wouldn’t turn down powedered sugar, either…) Beautiful.

    Reply
  18. 18

    Ruthy T. (@DiscoveryStreet) says

    Oct 14 at 3:54 pm

    oh man. this looks heavenly. and apples make it healthy right? 🙂

    Reply
  19. 19

    Lindsay says

    Oct 14 at 4:49 pm

    What a beautiful looking cake!! You have some good skills 🙂

    Reply
  20. 20

    Nancy says

    Oct 14 at 5:02 pm

    Looks so freaking amazing!

    Reply
  21. 21

    Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet says

    Oct 14 at 5:35 pm

    I don’t think I would have ever thought about apples with chocolate cake, but it sounds and looks delicious!

    Reply
  22. 22

    Kendall says

    Oct 14 at 5:43 pm

    That looks delicious! Yum!

    Reply
  23. 23

    christine says

    Oct 14 at 6:18 pm

    There is so much goodness going on w/ this cake, I’m not sure where to begin. The cake, the icing and oh those apples! Really great recipe!

    Reply
  24. 24

    estherjulee says

    Oct 14 at 6:55 pm

    this looks amazing!! you’re right.. it’s so hot.. I was in SF over the weekend, and I wore shorts and a tank top.

    Reply
  25. 25

    Cori says

    Oct 14 at 7:22 pm

    Oh wow this looks fabulous! I am going to have to try this recipe!

    Reply
  26. 26

    Heather says

    Oct 14 at 10:50 pm

    Well this looks AMAZING…the problem is, I can’t eat it right this very second!!!! 😉

    Reply
  27. 27

    Girl in Beta says

    Oct 14 at 11:32 pm

    I love how this looks so simple, but I imagine the flavors are really complex.

    I am now wanting a snack.

    Reply
  28. 28

    Fi says

    Oct 15 at 4:09 am

    This looks delicious! Now I’m not a fan of apples as such but the chocolate cake and filling itself look amazing.

    Reply
  29. 29

    Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says

    Oct 15 at 4:44 am

    Salted caramel buttercream? Apples? Chocolate cake? Swoooooooon. This sounds incredible!

    Reply
  30. 30

    [email protected] says

    Oct 15 at 6:27 am

    This cake is the very embodiment of Fall flavors. Very well done indeed!

    Reply
  31. 31

    Kristen says

    Oct 15 at 6:29 am

    This is an absolutely lovely creation – no matter what the weather!

    Reply
  32. 32

    Rebekah says

    Oct 15 at 7:49 am

    Oh my gosh this looks and sounds amazing!! Buttercream is my favorite.

    Reply
  33. 33

    ashley says

    Oct 15 at 7:58 am

    Looks and sounds SO good!

    Reply
  34. 34

    Crystal Barrett says

    Oct 15 at 8:00 am

    Oh my!! This looks beautiful and sounds incredible! I could eat the entire cake myself!

    Reply
  35. 35

    Brenda says

    Oct 15 at 8:45 am

    Wow! Salivating right now!

    Reply
  36. 36

    Katie Matthews says

    Oct 15 at 9:48 am

    This looks so delicious! I’m always looking for really heavy cakes. My favourite! Fab autumnal flavours in it too!

    Katie <3

    Reply
  37. 37

    Candace says

    Oct 15 at 10:32 am

    OH MAN!!! This looks amazing. I pinned it for later!

    xoxo
    Candace
    http://www.FromCtoC.com

    Reply
  38. 38

    Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says

    Oct 15 at 2:25 pm

    This is a gorgeous cake with some of my favorite flavors and the photos are stunning!

    Reply
  39. 39

    Andi says

    Oct 15 at 4:24 pm

    Ah our summer came and went already! I am hoping it comes back for just a tiny bit even though fall is my favorite time of year. I am all about deep, dark moist chocolate, and while I love meringue, if I were ask for this on my death bed, I would add cream cheese frosting because I love to match up the two. My hubby loves apples of all varieties and will spend the rest of the year putting them in everything – I think it would be a huge surprise and a big treat if I could pull this cake for him!

    Reply
  40. 40

    Jessica Doll says

    Oct 15 at 4:55 pm

    This sounds (and looks) absolutely delicious. I love that it’s a naked cake, too. 🙂

    Reply
  41. 41

    kristine foley says

    Oct 15 at 5:33 pm

    This is calling my name! Holy yum!

    Reply
  42. 42

    Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

    Oct 15 at 5:58 pm

    Salted caramel buttercream….I just want to eat that with a spoon!

    Reply
  43. 43

    Tammi says

    Oct 15 at 8:33 pm

    OMG!! I don’t have words to describe how delicious this cake looks. Amazing!

    Reply
  44. 44

    Kim Beaulieu says

    Oct 15 at 9:13 pm

    Is it wrong that I want to shove the whole thing in my face without sharing any? This is so pretty. I love the presentation.

    Reply
  45. 45

    Myrabev says

    Oct 15 at 9:27 pm

    I must say that’s one good looking cake nicely decorated.

    Reply
  46. 46

    Ayana Pitterson says

    Oct 16 at 6:20 am

    Oooh that looks so delicious. I love to cook, but for the love of me, baking things does not come out really nice like this. I have to put someone who can bake in the “you have talent” division. This looks amazingly delicious.

    Thrifting Diva
    http://www.thriftingdiva.com

    Reply
  47. 47

    LisaB says

    Oct 16 at 7:48 am

    I NEED to find an occasion to make this! I love your description of the apples with caramel and chocolate. Yum.

    Reply
  48. 48

    The Accidental Mama says

    Oct 16 at 10:36 am

    What a great fall version of a chocolate cake. Not that you need an excuse to eat a chocolate cake, right?
    xoxo
    The Accidental Mama
    http://www.theaccidentalmama.com

    Reply
  49. 49

    Michelle says

    Oct 16 at 4:51 pm

    That looks so good…if you listen carefully, you can hear my thighs scream…

    Reply
  50. 50

    Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says

    Oct 17 at 11:14 am

    Oh the caramel buttercream! I want a big bowl to eat it on the side!

    Reply
  51. 51

    Britt says

    Oct 17 at 11:33 am

    This cake looks so perfect, it belongs in a bakery window!

    Reply
  52. 52

    Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says

    Oct 19 at 5:31 pm

    I’m cleaning off the drool from my keyboard – the richness of the actual cake part is making me die! Must make!

    Reply
  53. 53

    CakeSpy says

    Oct 20 at 8:04 am

    Basically my mind is blown. Chocolate and apples usually don’t enter the same sphere to me, but I think that the caramel is the “glue” that binds them in loving matrimony. Lovely, lovely!

    Reply
  54. 54

    Jenn Pilgrim [The Newlywed Pilgrimage] says

    Oct 22 at 5:53 pm

    You had me at chocolate cake. And salted caramel buttercream. What a pretty dessert! I love that it is so unique too. Trying…

    Reply
  55. 55

    Astrid says

    Oct 29 at 2:19 pm

    MMM so yummy! Since I’m in a baking mood as of late, I may have to try this

    Reply

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, baby girl, and rescue cockapoo Snickerdoodle. More about pastrygirl

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