Caramel Apple Poke Cake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cake is pure comfort in every forkful. It’s incredibly easy to make (no fancy techniques required!) yet tastes like a bakery masterpiece. The caramel seeps into the poke holes, making the cake extra moist and decadent. With warm cinnamon apples and a light, creamy topping, it’s the perfect dessert for fall gatherings, holidays, or any day you want a sweet treat that feels special.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cake:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Unsalted butter, melted
• Apple sauce or oil
• Vanilla extract
• Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled and finely chopped)

For the filling and topping:

• Caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• Whipped topping or whipped cream
• Toffee bits or chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, applesauce (or oil), and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
5. Fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the top of the warm cake.
8. Slowly pour caramel sauce over the cake, letting it soak into the holes.
9. Once the cake has cooled completely, spread whipped topping evenly over the top.
10. Drizzle more caramel sauce over the whipped topping and sprinkle with toffee bits or chopped nuts if desired.
11. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12–14 servings.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Cooling and chilling time: 1 hour
Total time: about 2 hours

Variations

• Caramel Apple Spice Cake Mix Shortcut: Use a boxed spice cake mix for quicker preparation — just add chopped apples before baking.
• Salted Caramel Version: Use salted caramel sauce for a sweet-salty balance.
• Cream Cheese Topping: Replace whipped topping with a layer of cream cheese frosting for extra richness.
• Apple Pie Filling Twist: Spread a thin layer of apple pie filling between the caramel layer and whipped topping for extra apple flavor.
• Bourbon Caramel: Add a splash of bourbon to the caramel sauce for an adult twist.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It actually tastes better the next day as the caramel continues to soak into the cake. To freeze, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I use a cake mix instead of making the cake from scratch?

Yes! A yellow or spice cake mix works perfectly — just add chopped apples for texture.

What kind of apples should I use?

Firm apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp hold up best in baking.

Do I have to poke holes while the cake is still warm?

Yes, poking the holes in a warm cake helps the caramel soak in more evenly.

Can I use homemade caramel sauce?

Absolutely! Homemade caramel adds extra richness, but store-bought works great too.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, it’s even better after chilling overnight as the flavors meld together.

Can I use whipped cream instead of whipped topping?

Yes, fresh whipped cream is delicious but best added just before serving.

What if I don’t like nuts?

Simply skip them — the cake is just as delicious without them.

How do I make this cake more “caramel apple” flavored?

Add a few tablespoons of caramel sauce to the batter before baking for an extra caramel kick.

Can I make it in a round cake pan instead?

Yes, just divide the batter into two 9-inch round pans and adjust the bake time accordingly.

How long should I chill the cake before serving?

At least 30 minutes, but 1–2 hours is ideal for best texture and flavor.

Conclusion

Caramel Apple Poke Cake is the ultimate fall dessert — simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious. The moist apple-studded cake combined with sweet caramel and fluffy whipped topping makes it a showstopper for any occasion. Whether you’re making it for a potluck, a family dinner, or a holiday celebration, this cake captures the sweet magic of caramel apples in an easy-to-serve, crowd-pleasing form.

Caramel Apple Poke Cake

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Caramel Apple Poke Cake is a soft, spiced apple cake soaked in rich caramel sauce and topped with fluffy whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. Each bite captures the cozy sweetness of a caramel apple in cake form — moist, luscious, and full of fall flavor.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Yield: 12–14 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• For the cake:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup applesauce or oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• For the filling and topping:
• 1 cup caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 2 cups whipped topping or whipped cream
• ¼ cup toffee bits or chopped pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, applesauce (or oil), and vanilla until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in chopped apples.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool the cake for 10 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes evenly across the warm cake.
7. Pour caramel sauce over the top, allowing it to soak into the holes.
8. Let the cake cool completely, then spread whipped topping evenly over the top.
9. Drizzle additional caramel over the whipped topping and sprinkle with toffee bits or nuts if desired.
10. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Use firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture.
• Poke the holes while the cake is still warm so the caramel absorbs evenly.
• Homemade or salted caramel sauce adds extra depth of flavor.
• This cake tastes even better after chilling overnight.
• Top with cream cheese frosting for a richer variation.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 46g
• Sodium: 240mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 57g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 90mg