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Light and fluffy vanilla cake with plump apples, topped with buttercream and candied nuts

Apple Layer Cake with Candied Pecans 

Light and fluffy vanilla cake with plump apples, topped with buttercream and candied pecans.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • CAKE
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butte room temperature
  • 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1-1/4 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 4 Large Eggs - room temperature
  • 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1-1/4 cups Buttermilk
  • ¾ cup finely chopped apples
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • CANDIED PECANS
  • 4 tbsp Brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp Ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 cup Pecans crushed into small pieces
  • BUTTERCREAM
  • ½ cup Unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 2 cups Confectioners' sugar
  • 1-1/2 tsps Vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp Milk - regular or plant-based

Instructions
 

  • CANDIED PECANS
  • Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet
  • Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and 1 tablespoon water in a pan over medium heat.
  • Cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and begins bubbling, about 1 minute.
  • Stir in the pecans until evenly coated
  • Pour the candied pecans onto the baking sheet making sure to spread them out evenly until they dry
  • BUTTERCREAM
  • In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter, and sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes)
  • Gradually beat in Confectioners sugar and then vanilla
  • Stir in Milk and beat for 3-4 minutes
  • CAKE
  • Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a medium bowl
  • Beat the butter and sugar on high speed with a stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes)
  • Add the eggs one at a time and then vanilla and beat well
  • Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk in three batches and mix at medium speed until smooth
  • Toss apple chunks in 2 tsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon and stir into the batter
  • Pour batter into prepared pans and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.
  • Allow to cool for 20 minutes and then turn to wire racks and allow to cool for 10 mins
  • ASSEMBLE THE CAKE
  • Spread buttercream on top of the first cake layer and sprinkle a thick layer of pecans top on.
  • Place the second layer on top of the first layer
  • Frost the sides and the top of the cake, then evenly sprinkle the remaining pecans over the top
Keyword apple and pecan cake, apple cake layer, apple spice layer cake, layered apple cake
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