Ingredients
2 tbsp. butter, plus more for pan
All-purpose flour, for pan
1 box spice cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
5 Granny Smith apples, finely chopped (peeled if desired)
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon, plus more for dusting
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tbsp. cornstarch
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 1/4 c. jarred caramel, plus more for drizzling
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
8 tbsp. butter, softened
2 1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Preparation
Step 1Butter and flour a 9"-x-13" baking pan or dish. Prepare spice cake according to package directions and pour into prepared pan. Bake according to package directions, then let cool 20 minutes.Step 2While cake cools, prepare apple layer: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add apples and cook until soft, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes. Add sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir until combined. Add cornstarch and lemon juice and stir until combined, then remove from heat.Step 3Poke holes all over cake and pour over caramel, letting caramel seep into holes.Step 4Spread apples on top, creating one even layer.Step 5Make frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until combined.Step 6Spread frosting over apple layer using an offset spatula or knife.Step 7Drizzle cake with more caramel and dust with cinnamon.
