3 to 4applesabout 2 cups cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (3 cups) I prefer honey crisp but many varieties are great.
For the Buttercream:
1poundconfectioner's sugar453.5g
3/4cuproom temperature Butter170g
1/3cupcream79mL
1tablespoonvanilla extract14.7g
For the Caramel:
1cupbrown sugar200g
5tablespoonsunsalted butter71g
1/2cupcream or half and half118.2mL
1tablespoonvanilla extract14.7mL
1Pinchof salt
Instructions
For the Cake:
Sift and whisk together the dry ingredients
Mix together the wet ingredients until well combined in a large bowl or stand mixer
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined
Fold in the apples
Divide the mixture evenly into four 6" pans, which have been buttered and floured. (I always use cake strips too)
Bake at 350F for approximately 40 minutes or until centers are done.
For the Buttercream:
Add 3/4 cup of butter to a pot and cook over medium low heat stirring occasionally until the milk solids in the butter caramelize and darken. Be careful of splatters! Once the butter has darkened transfer to a bowl and chill until almost solid. The brown butter will be slow to cool and thicken back up so make sure to do this step in advance.
Cream the butter in a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
Add in the salt and powdered sugar gradually and beat together.
Add vanilla and cream until desired consistency is achieved.
For the Caramel:
Combine ingredients in small pot and stir together so they're mostly dissolved.
Place over medium-low heat and cook for 7-8 minutes leaving it alone until it bubbles and thickens, although you can wash the side down with a wet pastry brush.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla then transfer to a bowl to cool.
Video
Notes
If you’re not using 6-inch pans, double the recipe for 8-inch pans or triple the recipe for 9-inch pans.
You can substitute sour cream for the yogurt if desired, I do it all the time and can’t really tell the difference.
To get FLAT layers that are moist inside and out try using cake strips! You can buy a set or make your own from foil and paper towels at home. I made a wholeblog post on it so check it out if you’re interested!