Description
This Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake is an indulgent layered dessert combining rich chocolate cake, silky peanut butter frosting, decadent salted caramel, and fresh apples dipped in caramel for a stunning presentation. Inspired by the flavors of Snickers candy bars, this cake blends chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and apples in a unique and mouthwatering way. Perfect for special occasions or dessert lovers looking for a show-stopping treat.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2¼ teaspoons baking soda
- 2¼ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup canola oil
- 1½ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1½ tablespoons alcohol-free vanilla flavoring
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons hot brewed coffee
Salted Caramel
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup honey or corn syrup
- 1 cup nonalcoholic apple cider
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 tablespoon apple juice
- 2 teaspoons alcohol-free vanilla flavoring
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 small apples
- 3 food-safe wooden sticks
- Flaky salt, for garnish
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup prepared salted caramel
- 2 teaspoons alcohol-free vanilla flavoring
- ½ cup chopped salted peanuts, plus extra for garnish
Chocolate Coating
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare cake pans: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 8-inch round baking pans with parchment paper to ensure easy cake removal.
- Mix cake batter: In a large bowl, combine all dry cake ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice). In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, canola oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then stir in the hot brewed coffee until smooth.
- Bake cake layers: Evenly divide the batter among the three prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Make salted caramel: In a large saucepan, combine sugar, honey (or corn syrup), and apple cider. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture turns a golden color, about 9 minutes. Carefully stir in heavy cream, butter, apple juice, and vanilla extract. Continue cooking and stirring until the caramel reaches 210°F on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in kosher salt. Reserve 1 cup of this caramel and allow to cool.
- Prepare peanut butter frosting: Using a mixer, beat softened butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add peanut butter, ⅓ cup of the reserved caramel, and vanilla flavoring. Mix well, then fold in chopped salted peanuts.
- Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting evenly on top, drizzle with some of the remaining reserved caramel, then repeat for the remaining layers. Cover the entire outside of the cake with the remaining frosting and refrigerate.
- Make chocolate coating: Microwave the chopped bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream in 30-second intervals, stirring each time until fully melted and smooth. Let cool briefly, then pour the chocolate ganache over the top of the chilled cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least 90 minutes to set the chocolate coating.
- Prepare caramel apples and finishing touches: Reheat remaining caramel to 220–230°F until pourable. Drizzle half of this caramel over the cake decoratively. Insert food-safe wooden sticks into small apples and dip them in the remaining caramel. Garnish the cake top with the caramel-dipped apples, extra chopped peanuts, and flaky salt. Chill the cake at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Remove the caramel-dipped apples before slicing the cake to make cutting easier.
- Keep the cake refrigerated to maintain freshness and the integrity of the frosting and chocolate coat.
- Allow the cake to stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for better flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American