Indulge in the heartwarming embrace of autumn with this exquisite Caramel Apple Tea Cake. A beautifully moist bundt cake, it’s infused with the comforting flavors of apple cider tea, rich vanilla, warm cinnamon, fresh apples, and a decadent caramel drizzle. Perfectly suited for enjoying with your favorite cup of coffee or tea, this cake captures the essence of fall in every bite.
There’s a special kind of magic that autumn brings, and for me, it truly begins with apple season. While the crisp air, vibrant foliage, and cozy sweaters are all wonderful, nothing compares to the inviting aroma of an apple dessert baking in the kitchen. This Caramel Apple Tea Cake isn’t just a treat for your taste buds; it transforms your home into a fragrant sanctuary, making it the perfect edible air freshener for the season.
As someone who relies on a few cups of coffee to kickstart the day, my evenings often wind down with a comforting mug of hot tea. Yet, the idea of *baking* with tea remained an unexplored frontier for me – until now. Beyond smoothies, incorporating the nuanced flavors of tea directly into a cake recipe felt like a delightful revelation, and this Caramel Apple Tea Cake is the delicious result of that culinary adventure.
This post is part of a special Fall Flavors recipe group. We are grateful for the products received from our generous sponsors: The Republic of Tea, Melissa’s Produce, Torani, and Taylor & Colledge, in exchange for sharing this delightful recipe. #FallFlavors
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Embracing the Season: Fall Flavors Week
Get ready for an extraordinary week of autumnal delights! I’m thrilled to kick off Fall Flavors Week with a lineup of super tasty recipes, and this Caramel Apple Tea Cake is leading the charge. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with some fantastic sponsors, and I’m excited to show you exactly how I’ve incorporated four of their wonderful products into this single, irresistible apple cake recipe.
For this delectable creation, I sourced crisp, fresh apples from Melissa’s Produce, brewed fragrant Apple Cider Tea from The Republic of Tea for its unique infusion, added a depth of flavor with vanilla bean paste from Taylor & Colledge, and finished it with a luxurious caramel syrup from Torani. Each ingredient plays a vital role in crafting this exceptional cake, bringing together a symphony of fall flavors.
The Unique Charm of Tea in Baking
While enjoying a warm cup of tea is a time-honored tradition, using it as a foundational ingredient in baking offers a remarkably innovative way to infuse delicate and complex flavors. For this Caramel Apple Tea Cake, The Republic of Tea’s Apple Cider Tea isn’t just a beverage; it’s a secret ingredient that elevates the cake from a simple apple bundt to an extraordinary autumnal experience. The tea imparts a subtle, spiced apple note that complements the fresh apples and cinnamon, creating a multi-layered flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting. It also contributes to the cake’s incredible moisture, creating a tender crumb that simply melts in your mouth.
Beyond the tea, this cake boasts a surprisingly simple foundation, starting with a classic vanilla cake mix and a package of instant vanilla pudding. This clever combination ensures a consistently tender and flavorful cake with minimal fuss. To enhance both flavor and texture, and to reduce a bit of the richness, I substituted a significant portion of the oil with cinnamon applesauce. This not only adds another layer of apple and spice goodness but also boosts the cake’s moistness to an exceptional level, making every bite incredibly soft and satisfying. The ease of preparation, coupled with such rich and complex flavors, makes this Caramel Apple Tea Cake a perfect choice for both novice and experienced bakers seeking a show-stopping dessert for fall gatherings.
Mastering Your Caramel Apple Tea Cake: Tips for Success
Creating a flawless bundt cake begins with proper pan preparation. Generously coat your 10-inch bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring every crevice is covered. This step is crucial for an easy release and beautifully shaped cake. In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, three-quarters of the cooled brewed apple cider tea, large eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce (especially cinnamon applesauce for an extra flavor kick), and premium vanilla bean paste. Beat these ingredients on low for about 30 seconds, then increase the speed to medium and continue beating for a full two minutes until the batter is smooth and well-combined. The inclusion of vanilla bean paste from Taylor & Colledge adds a gourmet depth of flavor that a simple extract cannot match.
Next, for that authentic apple flavor and texture, gently fold in the shredded Melissa’s Produce apple that has been tossed with a touch of flour. The flour coating helps prevent the shredded apple from sinking to the bottom of the pan, ensuring even distribution throughout the cake. Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully inverting it onto a serving plate. While the cake is still warm, generously drizzle it with Torani Caramel Syrup. The warmth of the cake will allow the caramel to slowly soak in, infusing every crumb with its rich, sweet goodness.
As the cake continues to cool slightly, prepare the simple yet exquisite glaze. Whisk together powdered sugar with more Taylor & Colledge Vanilla Bean Paste and the remaining quarter cup of brewed apple cider tea, adding the tea a little at a time until your desired consistency is achieved. I personally prefer a thicker glaze for a more pronounced flavor and visual appeal. Pour this luscious glaze over the cooled cake. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting treat, or refrigerate it until you’re ready to indulge. Chilling the cake will help the glaze set beautifully, providing a delightful contrast to the moist cake. Store any leftovers in the fridge to maintain freshness.
Seriously, just *look* at this beautiful Caramel Apple Tea Cake. It’s truly a sight to behold, promising an unforgettable taste experience!
Don’t Forget to Pin This Recipe!
Found your new favorite fall dessert? Make sure you can easily find this amazing Caramel Apple Tea Cake recipe again! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board now so you can whip up this delightful treat whenever a craving for autumnal flavors strikes.
Expanding Your Fall Cake Collection with Apple Tea Cake
Fall has always held a special place in my heart, not just for the refreshing crisp air and stunning display of colors, but for the incredible array of flavors and scents it ushers in. From comforting soup recipes and hearty casseroles to classic comfort foods, and my beloved spices like cinnamon, clove, ginger, and nutmeg – autumn truly is a feast for the senses. This Caramel Apple Tea Cake is a fantastic new addition to my annual rotation of fall desserts, perfect for showcasing your favorite bundt pan.
If you’re looking to explore more delightful fall cakes, here are four other must-try recipes that are always a hit in my kitchen:
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake with Brown Butter Glaze: A cozy breakfast or dessert cake featuring warm pumpkin spices and a nutty brown butter glaze.
- Apple Monkey Bread: Pull-apart goodness loaded with sweet apples and cinnamon, perfect for sharing.
- Cinnamon Spice Coffee Cake: A fragrant, tender coffee cake bursting with classic cinnamon and other warming spices.
- Cinderella Cake – Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: A regal pumpkin bundt cake, crowned with a rich and tangy cream cheese frosting.
Win Amazing Prizes from Our Sponsors!
The incredible sponsors of #FallFlavors Week have generously donated some fantastic prizes for our readers! In collaboration with our participating bloggers and event hosts – Family Around the Table, A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures, and Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks – we invite you to enter our exciting giveaway. There are numerous opportunities to win, so don’t miss out!
**The Republic of Tea** is offering a beautiful Red Dancing Leaves Teapot along with a tin of their comforting Hot Apple Cider Tea. Imagine brewing a warm pot on a chilly autumn day!
**Torani** is contributing a bottle of their delicious Green Apple Puremade Syrup and their luscious Caramel Puremade Sauce. These syrups are incredibly versatile, perfect for elevating your baking creations or crafting a variety of beverages.
**Dixie Crystals Sugar** wants to ensure your baking is always sweet and successful. They are giving away a stylish set of OXO Good Grips 3-piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls.
**Taylor and Colledge** is offering a selection of their premium baking pastes. Prepare to wow your family and guests with exquisitely flavored fall and holiday baked goods.
Elevate your weeknight dinners to a whole new level with a fantastic variety box of fresh produce from Melissa’s. This is a wonderful opportunity to experiment with unique fruits and vegetables you might not typically find at your local market.
One lucky winner will also receive a delightful goodie box filled with a variety of Nairn’s gluten-free products. Enjoy them as a wholesome snack or get creative by incorporating them into your meals and desserts.
This giveaway will have multiple winners. It is open to US residents only, aged 18 years and older. Winners will have 24 hours to respond to their email notification; failure to do so will result in forfeiture, and a new winner will be selected. Void where prohibited by law. Prize fulfillment is handled directly by the sponsors. Neither the hosts nor participant bloggers are responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate household family members are not eligible to enter or win. No purchase is necessary to enter. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or any other social channel mentioned in the posts or entry.
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Be sure to follow the Fall Flavors Pinterest board for a continuous stream of inspiring fall recipes!
Ready to bake this incredibly easy and delicious Caramel Apple Tea Cake? Let’s get started!
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Rating: 4.75 from 4 votes
Print Recipe
Caramel Apple Tea Cake
Don’t you just want to dig into this Caramel Apple Tea Cake? A moist bundt cake full of flavors; apple cider tea, vanilla, cinnamon, fresh apple and caramel. Perfect with your favorite cuppa.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hour
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, apple cider tea, bundt, cake, caramel, caramel drizzle, fall baking, how to make a cake with tea, spice, tea, vanilla, vanilla glaze
Servings: 1 bundt cake
Calories: 291 kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel
Equipment
- Cuisinart Boxed Grater
- KitchenAid Hand Mixer
- Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
- Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware 9-1/2-Inch Bundt Pan
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 15.25 ounce box of vanilla cake mix
- 1 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 3 Apple Cider Tea Bags steeped in 1 cup boiling water, cooled and divided
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup applesauce (I used cinnamon applesauce)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup apple, peeled and shredded
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- Drizzle of Caramel Syrup
For The Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- remaining 1/4 cup apple cider tea
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C) and generously spray a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, applesauce, eggs, vanilla paste, oil, and 3/4 cup of the cooled brewed tea. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes until well combined.
- In a separate small bowl, toss the shredded apple with 2 tablespoons of flour. Gently fold the floured apple into the cake batter until just combined.
- Pour the prepared batter into the bundt pan. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. While the cake is still warm, drizzle generously with the caramel syrup. This allows the caramel to soak beautifully into the cake.
- To prepare the glaze, combine the powdered sugar with vanilla bean paste and gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup of apple cider tea, a little at a time, until your desired consistency is reached. I prefer a slightly thicker glaze.
- Pour the glaze over the cake. Serve immediately for a warm treat, or place it in the refrigerator until ready to serve for a set glaze. Store any leftovers in the fridge.
Nutrition
Monday Fall Recipes
- Apple Butternut Squash Casserole by That Recipe
- Apple Pie Tacos Recipe by Blogghetti
- Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars by Lemon Blossoms
- Apple Tea-ramisu by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Butternut Squash Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls by Sweet Beginnings
- Caramel Apple Crisp by Big Bears Wife
- Caramel Apple Empanadas by Take Two Tapas
- Caramel Apple Ice Cream Pie by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Caramel Apple Spice Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
- Caramel Apple Tea Cake by An Affair from the Heart
- Caramel Swirl Pound Cake by Family Around the Table
- Creamy Sweet Potato and Sunchoke Soup by Eat Move Make
- Easy Sausage And Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner by Intelligent Domestications
- Fall Harvest Potato Beet Soup by Frugal & Fit
- Fall Punch Mocktail by Kate’s Recipe Box
- Fall Vegetable Breakfast Hash by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Green Appletini Martini by Art of Natural Living
- Grilled Apple and Pear Salad with Maple Walnut Vinaigrette by Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Meyer Lemon Scones by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Pear Almond Crumble Pie by Savory Moments
- Pear Brown Betty by Cookaholic Wife
- Plum Kuchen by Palatable Pastime
- Scalloped Potatoes with Sweet Potatoes, Fennel, and Leeks by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Smashed Roasted Rosemary & Garlic Potatoes by Simple and Savory
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Toasted Pecan Filling by Books n’ Cooks
- Sunchoke Ricotta Gnocchi with Walnut Thyme Butter Sauce by The Spiffy Cookie
Thank you to our #FallFlavors Week Sponsors: Melissa’s Produce, Torani, Republic of Tea, Taylor & Colledge, and Nairn’s for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also generously provided the bloggers with samples and products to use for #FallFlavors Week recipes. All opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.
The #FallFlavors Week giveaway is open exclusively to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be diligently checked and verified. By participating, you grant the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received directly determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected in total. The prize packages will be dispatched directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #FallFlavors Week Bloggers bear no responsibility for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members residing in their households are not eligible to enter or win the giveaway. No purchase is necessary to enter. This giveaway is void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or any other social channel mentioned in the #FallFlavors Week posts or entry.