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Fall Dessert

Caramel Apple Spice Cakes

September 19, 2021 by Tamara Giebel Leave a Comment

Caramel Apple Spice Cakes, sweet, sticky caramel apple topping with a spiced apple cake are the perfect semi-homemade treat for fall.

These semi-homemade Caramel Apple Spice Cakes are an easy way to add a little something special to your box of cake mix.

Apples are the first thing I think of for fall, as I’m not a huge pumpkin spice fan. Located in Washington State where nearly 60% of the U.S. apples are grown, we have our fresh pick for the season. For this recipe I use Gala apples, but any apple will work here. Granny Smith apples are one of my favorites for baking and another great choice.

Caramel Apple Spice Cakes take about 25 minutes from start to finish. Just mix up a box of Betty Crocker Spice Cake Mix or your favorite box mix, add a teaspoon of my caramel apple topping, bake according to package directions and finish with more of my caramel apple topping.

Caramel apple topping comes together in just 5 minutes on your stove top. Diced apples coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture and sauteed in butter with a splash of cream and vanilla makes a sticky sweet topping and let’s you know that fall has arrived.

Print Pin

Caramel Apple Spice Cakes

Caramel Apple Spice Cakes. sweet, sticky caramel apple topping with a spiced apple cake are perfect for fall.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Dessert
Keyword Apple Desserts, Fall Desserts, Semi-Homemade
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 12

Equipment

  • Muffin tins
  • Parchment paper or muffin liners

Ingredients

  • 1 15.25 oz box Spice cake with pudding in the mix
  • 3 cups apple diced (about 4 apples)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tbsp cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mix together spice cake according to package directions.
  • Toss together diced apple, granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  • Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add apple mixture and saute for 3-5 minutes until apples are tender. Add cream and vanilla. Remove from heat.
  • Prepare muffin tins with parchment paper or liners. Fill each muffin tin 3/4 full. Add a teaspoon of apple mixture to the top of each.
  • Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees, or until cooked though and edges starting to just brown.
  • Let cool, then top each with the remaining caramel apple topping.

A Dash of Cinnamon

The cinnamon sugar mixture that coats the apples in this recipe transform plain old apples into fall flavored apples. Cinnamon comes from the bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum. It dates back to 2000 BC and has been used to treat coughs, sore throats and arthritis. Today it is known to be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and can be found in several different grades ranging in quality. I like to keep my package of cinnamon sticks tightly sealed to maintain the freshness and flavor.

Similar Recipes

  • Pumpkin Cream Pie with Chili Lime Pepitas
  • Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls
  • Apple Bourbon Peach Pie
  • A perfect twist on the traditional, this Pumpkin Cream Pie with Chili Lime Pepitas combines layers of pumpkin and whipped cream over a graham cracker crust.
  • People wait all year for the fall flavors of pumpkin spice and it’s so easy to turn your favorite cinnamon rolls into pumpkin cinnamon rolls!
  • Peaches coated in apple bourbon glaze in all butter pie crust

Filed Under: Dessert Tagged With: Apple Dessert, Fall Dessert, Semi-Homemade

Pumpkin Cream Bars

September 21, 2020 by Tamara Giebel Leave a Comment

Pumpkin Cream Bars with Chili Lime Pepitas combines the flavors of traditional pumpkin pie with lime zested whipped cream topping and chili lime pepitas in a graham cracker crust.

Sweet & Creamy with a Hint of Lime

Wanna step up your pumpkin game? These Pumpkin Cream Bars are a little pumpkin pie and a little chili lime packed into a bite size bar. The best thing? They require zero baking. – Just a little time to chill in the fridge.

Be patient with this dessert. You’ll want to chill in the fridge for at least an hour, more if you have time. The longer it chills, the easier it will be to cut into bite size bars. After serving, if you have leftovers, these will need to be kept in the fridge as well. Just cover with saran wrap and store.

And A Subtle Crunch of Spice

These fall favorite treats start with a simple graham cracker crust that gets pressed into a 9 inch serving dish and topped with a creamy, pumpkin spice custard that cooks up quickly on the stove top. Then a light and fluffy, lime zested, whipped cream topping completes the the delicious layers. Top the bars with chili lime pepitas to add a little kick and tie it all together.

Pumpkin Cream Bars with Chili Lime Pepitas combines the flavors of traditional pumpkin pie with lime zested whipped cream topping and chili lime pepitas in a graham cracker crust.
Print Pin

Pumpkin Cream Bars

Pumpkin Cream Bars with Chili Lime Pepitas combines the flavors of traditional pumpkin pie with lime zested whipped cream topping and chili lime pepitas in a graham cracker crust.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Dessert
Keyword Fall Desserts, Pumpkin Dessert
Servings 12

Equipment

  • 9 inch square serving dish

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 1/2 cup graham cracker pulverized
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 5 tbsp butter melted

Pumpkin Layer

  • 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cu heavy cream
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Whipped Cream Layer

  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp light brown sugar
  • 1/2 lime juiced and zested
  • 1/4 cup chili lime pepitas

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust

  • Combine pulverized graham crackers, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in melted butter. Press mixture into 9" square serving dish.

Pumpkin Layer

  • Combine pumpkin puree, milk, heavy cream and pumpkin spice in a pan over medium heat until warmed.
  • Combine egg yolks, sugars, flour and salt in a bowl until smooth.
  • Mix the egg yolk mixture into the pumpkin mixture and cook over medium high heat, stirring continuously, until thickened.
  • Pour mixture into graham cracker crust.

Whipped Cream Layer

  • Place heavy cream, sour cream, light brown sugar and vanilla extract in a chilled bowl and whip at high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold in lime juice and zest. Spread evenly over pumpkin layer. Chill for at least an hour. Top with chili lime pepitas when serving.

Chili Lime Pepitas

Chili Lime Pepitas are found in the Mexican Aisle of your grocery or often in the bulk foods sections. They are similar to pumpkin seeds only without the shell. They are coated in a Mexican chili lime seasoning and can be used for garnish or to snack on. If you can’t find chili lime pepitas, look for plain pepitas and season them yourself using Tajin Mexican Seasoning.

Tajin Mexican Seasoning comes in different varieties. Look for the one with lime included. It can be found in the Mexican aisle at your grocery or sometimes on the end cap near the produce section. It’s also good on sliced mango, pineapple and watermelon.

Related Recipes:

  • Caramel Apple Spice Cakes
  • Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls
  • Triple Layer Carrot Cake
  • Personal sized spice cakes with caramel apple topping
  • People wait all year for the fall flavors of pumpkin spice and it’s so easy to turn your favorite cinnamon rolls into pumpkin cinnamon rolls!

Filed Under: Dessert, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Fall Dessert, Pumpkin Dessert, Pumpkin Pie

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OUT WEST:  Food & Lifestyle celebrates life in the west, from the freshest coastal seafood to local grown vegetables and small farmed meats. We focus on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal recipes to inspire you to cook at home.   It’s important to know where your food comes from, bridging the gap between farm to table, and creating a small carbon footprint.

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OUT WEST: Food & Lifestyle is all about coastal seafood to valleys providing local farm raised meat, vegetables and cheeses. The west coast provides a bounty of fresh food and I’m excited to share it with you.. Let's dig in →

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Dungeness Crab Rolls let the crab shine with butter warmed lump pieces, minced red pepper, tarragon, smoky chipotle and a squeeze of lemon.
Salmon Bahn Mi Sandwich is a West Coast and Vietnamese fusion with pickled carrot, daikon radish, sriracha mayo and fresh herbs.
Flanken-Cut Short Ribs marinated in a sweet and slightly smoky raspberry chipotle sauce then grilled and garnished with chopped onion tops.

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