Caramel Apple Mousse Cake is layers of apple cake and creamy caramel mousse. This apple dessert is perfect for fall!
Last weekend my friend and her kids came to town. She tries to come here in the fall so we can visit our favorite apple orchard called Fall Harvest. Last year the weather was cold and this year it was rainy.
Luckily we found a couple hours in the afternoon, between rain showers to visit and yes we were wearing our mud boots! We got together Friday night for coffee and I brought the Caramel Apple Mousse Cake.
The cake is a spice cake with apples in it. I put it into 2 round cake pans. While they were baking, I made the caramel mousse filling and toasted the pecans. After allowing the cakes to cool, cut them in half (I actually waited until the next day). The cake is really moist and it split then I was trying to layer the cake. It doesn’t matter though because the layers are held together with the caramel mousse. Spread 1/4 of the caramel mousse on each of the 4 layers.
Spread caramel over the top layer of mousse and allow it to drip down the sides. Top the cake with toasted pecans.
Cut a big slice. The caramel mousse holds the layers together.
Enjoy the Caramel Apple Mousse Cake with a cup of coffee. There’s nothing like apple desserts in the fall!
- 1 spice cake mix
- 3/4 cup apple sauce
- ½ cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup oil
- 2 apples peeled and chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 16 oz whipped topping thawed
- 1 cup caramel dip or caramel ice cream topping I used Marzetti Old Fashioned Caramel Dip
- 1/2 cup caramel dip or caramel ice cream topping I used Marzetti Old Fashioned Caramel Dip
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
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Combine cake mix, apple sauce, milk, eggs and oil.
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Stir in chopped apples.
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Divide batter between two greased, round cake pans.
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Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes.
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In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese.
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Add caramel dip, beat until smooth.
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Beat in powdered sugar.
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Fold in whipped topping.
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Allow the cakes to cool before cutting them in half.
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Spread 1/4 of the caramel mousse on each of the 4 layers.
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Spread caramel dip over the top layer of mousse and allow it to drip down the sides. Melt the caramel in the microwave beforehand, if needed.
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Top the cake with toasted pecans.
Love apple desserts? Here are a few more that I’ve made this fall:
Hi, I'm Tonia, a lover of food and photography! Fill a gunny sack with delicious ingredients, tie on an apron and let's get cooking
Lisa says
Made this cake and frosted the entire cake with mousse instead of leaving sides bare. Everyone absolutely loved it!! I’ll definitely make it again. It would be perfect for Thanksgiving too. Thanks!
Heidi says
I know this is old, but my family loved this! They especially loved the mousse instead of frosting idea. I want to make the mousse but a peanut butter version. I I sub peanut butter for caramel, I assume you’d up the sugar? By a cup? Thoughts?
Tonia says
Hi Heidi,
It’s a good one, isn’t it?!! When I made my Peanut Butter Pie this past summer, I used a similar recipe for the peanut butter mousse part of the recipe and did not increase the sugar. https://www.thegunnysack.com/peanut-butter-pie/ For that recipe I used:
8 oz cream cheese softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups cool whip
Since I wanted it to be pie filling, I used less cool whip but you should use the 16 oz of cool whip so that it is light and airy.
Best of luck!
~Tonia
Moni A says
Hi Tonia,
I would like to go the heavy whipping cream route. How much do you suggest I use (size bottle)?
Tonia says
Hi Moni,
For this recipe, you will need about 6 1/2 cups of whipped topping (Cool Whip) or whipped cream (prepared). To make 6 1/2 cups of whipped cream, you need 3 1/4 cups of heavy whipping cream. Since 1 pint of heavy whipping cream is only 2 cups, buy the quart size and only use 3 1/4 cups of it. Let me know if you need a whipped cream recipe. 🙂
Happy Baking,
Tonia Larson
Moni A says
Wow. Thanks. Looks like I’ll need to go get more whipping cream or do a mixture of homemade and ready made…
A whipping cream recipe wouldbe nice though!
Tonia says
Whipped Cream Recipe (makes 2 cups)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Start by chilling the bowl and beaters.
Beat the heavy whipping cream until it starts to thicken.
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.
Beat until soft peaks form.
Tonia says
I’m not sure how many cups of homemade whipped cream you want to use vs ready made but you can easily double or triple the whipped cream recipe. You’ll just need a bigger bowl. Best of luck! ~Tonia
Maddie says
Could you use sugared apples instead of pecans or no?
Tonia says
Hi Maddie!
Yes, you can top the cake with whatever you want. If by sugared apples, you mean something like apple pie filling, you might want to add it right before serving so that the liquid doesn’t soften the caramel mousse too much.
Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Amanda Sherrill says
I have made this so much I can do it by memory just about. Delicious, most requested. Won a contest at school with it. For those having trouble with Caramel use dip not ice cream topping. I’ve even made it just with two layers and no complaints from recipients. I use gala or honey crisp apples and only one good size.
Donna says
I made this for Thanksgiving and it turned out perfect and was delicious. The only change I made was to bake the cake in 4 pans instead of 2 because I was nervous about splitting the layers. It was definitely a hit and will make again.
Tammie says
If you’re a bit nervous about doing all the diff layers, could you try in a 9×13 baking dish?
Tonia says
Hi Tammie,
Yes, you can make it in a 9×13. Follow the baking time on the box. Also, you will not need all of the caramel mousse.
Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Joyce says
What type of Apple’s do you use? Looks so good, can’t wait to make one!
Seamus says
I followed the instructions exactly as stated but when I put the cake together it fell apart into a big blob. Has anyone else had this problem with the mousse filling? I am sure it will taste good but it is a disaster. I am very disappointed.
Bill Blankenship says
Have made this cake three times and each time the Carmel melts and runs off. Have used ice cream topping and last time melted Carmel bits all with same results. Have refrigerated after putting topping on
leelee says
you need to add some corn starch/flour to your store bought caramel and put it on the store to simmer and thicken, that’s what I do.
Molly says
You need to let your cake cool
Bianca says
I have a question regarding the bake time. Is it 25-30 min for a 8 inch cake pan? It would be less for a 9 inch cake pan right? I want to make this tomorrow if possible and wanted to double check. Thanks!
Tonia says
I used 9-inch cake pans. It you want to use 8-inch cake pans, it might take 30-35 minutes. Best of luck! ~Tonia
Ellie says
I made this cake yesterday and it was delicious I didn’t change a thing exept that I shredded the apples after I peeled them because one of my boys don’t like the feel of chunks of fruit in desserts and that I didn’t used all the icing. I had trouble on making the slices even so next time I’ll bake it in 8 inch 4 round cake pans. My family loved it, thanks very much for sharing it with all of us.
Earle Wright says
This is a wonderfully delicious recipe. I am making it again, but modifying it a bit to suit my taste. I’m omitting the confectioner’s sugar altogether, as it’s a bit sweet for me. I’m thinking the caramel sauce and whipped topping will be sufficient for sweetness. Further, I’m doubling the spice cake to 8 slabs (after slicing), as I prefer just a little mousse on each layer. Lastly, I will purchase two(2) containers of the Marzetti dip to ensure that I have enough for the decorative “spillover” down the sides.
We’ll see how this turns out. Either way, I will definitely look for your new additions. You sold me with this recipe!
Earle Wright says
I make this cake again with the modifications described above. Just for the fun of it, I stacked all eight(8) layers into one vertical cake and took it to our annual choir Christmas party. It was a beautiful display, although a bit unwieldy to cut and serve. One friend who had a slice from the original recipe and one from my modified recipe found mine better tasting to her. It is not a competition for votes, however. It is simply a recognition of how much “sweet taste” different people react to. We also both agreed that this cake is yummy a day or two later, straight from the refrigerator.
I’m going to make this again soon, but I’ll split it into two cakes, rather than do the “eight layer stack-up”. I won’t have any trouble deciding what to do with the two cakes. Giving one of these cakes will make a friend for life!
Beverly says
Just a little tip in cutting the cake layer in half, I used dental floss string and sawed it back and forth pulling towards me with the cake flat. This worked great, I only had 9in cake pans and thought it would be impossible to slice these layers with a knife so I just went with the floss and it worked really well. You will need to wedge the cake plate against something while sawing the layer in half with the floss.
Kara says
Hi! I made this cake in 2014 for my Thanksgiving feast and it was so AMAZING, that I’m making it again this year. Thank you for the great idea and the easy to follow instructions. I can’t wait to share it on my own blog. I’ll definitely link back to your page…your recipes are too good not to check out. Can’t wait to try more of them!
Tobie says
can you make the mousse ahead of time and assemble later?
Tonia says
Hey Tobie! Sorry I’ve been away from my computer. Had a grooms dinner last night and baking/cooking for Thanksgiving today. Yes, you could do that. Also, this cake will hold up really well if you want to assemble it ahead of time. Enjoy! ~Tonia
Amaryllis @ thetastyother.com says
Hi Tonia! What a gorgeous fall dessert! I think the season is all about deep, comforting flavours and your mousse cake is exactly that! Thanks so much for sharing, can’t wait to try it.
Chantelle Simpson says
Hi I have been following your blog for a while now and find some of the recipes frustrating because I live in Australia and we do not have cool whip, caramel dip or spice cake mix here. It would be really useful if you could have a sidebar for substitutes of your ingredients for all of your international followers. I scrolled down and read the comments in regards to the spice cake substitute and using whipped cream instead of cool whip but what can I use instead of the caramel dip?
Many thanks
Tonia says
Hi Chantelle! First, I want to start by thanking you for being a long time follower! That means so much to me. I’m sorry to hear that some of the recipes are frustrating due to the differences in available products in the two countries. I will take your suggestion and start to work on an Australia cheat sheet. In the meantime, I need YOUR help because not only do I not know what products you DON’T HAVE in Australia, I don’t know what products you DO HAVE. So, regarding the caramel dip, I used what is basically a thicker version of caramel ice cream topping, so you could use caramel ice cream topping instead. If that isn’t available in the stores, I can suggest this recipe of mine: https://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/06/ice-cream-topping-recipe-caramel-syrup.html
Warmly,
~Tonia
Pat Sager says
Why not find a recipe for home made spice cake…would probably be even better.
Tonia says
Go for it! Here is a recipe from my friend Amanda at I Am Baker to try: http://iambaker.net/homemade-spice-cake-mix/
Courtney says
You can make Carmel dip it’s super easy.
1 cup granulated sugar
6 Tablespoons of salted butter, cut 6 pieces
1/2 cup heavy cream
1tsp salt
Heat sugar over medium heat until thick brown/amber color.. careful not to burn.
Once sugar is melted immediately add butter (be careful will boil rapidly when added)
Stir butter until melted in sugar 2-3 min
Very slowly drizzle heavy cream while stirring (can cause splatter because of cold cream to hot mixture)
Allow to boil for 1 min, it will rise in pan.
Remove from heat and stir in 1tsp salt.. allow to cool before using!
Keep in a jar with lid..
Hope this helps it’s delicious and can be used for alot of Carmel recipes since you don’t have it there!! Enjoy!!
Jeanie says
looks delicious! Was wondering how small you chopped the apples up. I really want to try this!
Tonia says
Hi Jeanie,
They were small, more like diced than chopped, I supposed. They have to be small enough to soften while baking. Enjoy!
~Tonia
Genevieve says
I tried this cake today. My mousse turned out like glaze. Any thoughts on what I should do differently? I definitely want to try it again!
Tonia says
Hmmm…it is important that you fold in the whipped topping (Cool Whip) by hand, instead of beating it in with your mixer so that it doesn’t deflate. Was your cream cheese or your caramel dip warm/hot? That would make the whipped topping turn to liquid. Also, the whipped topping (this is the huge 16 oz size tub) should be thawed in the fridge. You want it to be cold but not frozen. What brand of caramel dip did you use? The caramel dip I used was really thick http://www.marzetti.com/products/product/2/312/marzetti-old-fashioned-caramel-dip If yours was thin/runny you might want to use less next time. Finally, you might be able to salvage the “glaze” you have right now by folding in additional whipped topping! Best of luck! ~Tonia
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Holy caramel! love this caramel-apple-mousse-cake!!
Treva says
Looks fabulous! Does this cake need to be refrigerated?
Tonia says
Yes, it should be refrigerated due to the mousse layers. Happy Baking!
Michelle says
I have made this cake several times and it is wonderful!! The first time I made it I used Carmel ice cream topping instead of Carmel dip, because that is what I already had and didn’t realize the difference. The difference is that Carmel dip is thicker. The ice cream topping is thinner and it makes the mousse thinner, but still doable. Both works but dip is better. I still use the ice cream topping to drizzle over the top and the dip for the mousse.
MaryB says
This is gorgeous! I’m not sure what you mean by caramel dip though. Is this a purchased product? If so, what brand and where might it be available? I am assuming it is not the same thing as caramel ice cream topping.
Tonia says
Hi Mary,
It is the caramel you use for apples but I’m sure caramel ice cream topping would work too. I used Marzetti brand: http://www.marzetti.com/products/product/2/312/marzetti-old-fashioned-caramel-dip Best of luck and thanks for stopping by!
~Tonia
sue zmiecz says
It’s usually found in your grocery store produce area.
Doug says
I think I just found my Thanksgiving dessert! That looks great, and I love caramel apples. And the plus side is this will be super easy to make gluten free. After a quick internet search I’ve concluded that I can take a Gluten Free yellow cake mix and add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice or cloves to the mix to turn it into a spice cake mix.
Tonia says
Thanks for the tip Doug!
Robin Gagnon says
Such a gorgeous shot. It drew in in off Pinterest 🙂
Tonia says
I’ve got to try to get you to come to my site somehow, Robin, right? 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa says
Made this over the weekend, after stumbling onto your blog. Gorgeous presentation!!!! and tastes even better then it looks. Thank you for sharing it.
Tonia says
Fantastic! I love hearing that. Thanks for taking the time to come back to tell me.
abbie wilson says
Hi Tonia
This looks so festive and just right for Halloween. I don’t live in the US and I wondered exactly the same as Lola. I will look for a recipe on the internet or find someone to buy the cake mix and send it!
Thanks for sharing!
Abbie
Tonia says
Hi Abbie,
I’m sure the cake would be delicious if you used a plain white/yellow cake mix. You could add the same kind of spices that you would add to any apple dessert that you make. Enjoy!
~Tonia
Lola says
Hi Tonia,
Woww this looks really delicious and thank you for sharing the recipe. The only ingredient we don’t have in the Netherlands is the spice cake mix. Is there a substitute or do you know what this mix is about?
Many thanks
Tonia says
Lola,
You are very welcome! It is a cake with spices in it. One company says the cake mix has Cinnamon, Allspice, Coriander, Ginger, Nutmeg in it. Hope that helps!
~Tonia
Angela says
I made this cake today! So good! Thanks for sharing such an awesome recipe!
Coty and Mariah says
What stunning pictures! That cake is looking real yummy!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
Holy cake, Tonia! This look sooooo good!!
Carrie says
Wow….beautiful. Looks DELISH. Any thoughts on using whipping cream, whipped, in place of whipped topping and contine with recipe as stated? Can’t wait to try this but I’m not a fan of whipped topping so wondering Iif whipped cream would work. Maybe it’s all good in the end with the cream cheese and all but just wondering.
Tonia says
Hi Carrie,
There’s nothing like real whipped cream, is there! I’ve never tried it with this recipe but I would think that it would work. There are a lot of recipes for whipped cream cheese frosting that combine whipped cream and cream cheese. If you do give a try, stop back and let me know how it went! Thanks for stopping by!
~Tonia
Christina says
I made this cake tonight and used whipped whipping cream instead of whipped topping. Everything turned out fine!
Anna Bennett says
Tonia,
I look at that Delicious cake & I feel as tho I want to go all day with out eating any thing till it is time to have a slice.
The only way to enjoy a slice of that awesome cake is to have it on an empty stomach.
Tonia says
I know what you mean, Anna! Thank you!
Kristi says
This looks absolutely delicious! We are having an office apple dessert contest and I am set on making this. Do you have any suggestions on what to top it with not in the nut familly? Not a fan of nuts but would want to put something on top to add to the beauty of it. Thanks! 🙂
Tonia says
Hmmm…good question! How about using toffee? You can buy Heath English Toffee Bit in the baking aisle. Or maybe Kraft Caramel Bits, chopped cookies or chopped candy bars? Best of luck! I hope it turns out well.
Cookbook Queen says
This cake is absolutely stunning!!!
Jelli says
This cake sounds delicious and looks it too! Bookmarking and pinning right now. Thanks for sharing, Tonia.
Rhonda says
looks so good
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says
Oh my goodness, all that dripping caramel! This cake looks amazing! Perfect for fall!
Tonia says
Thanks Lindsay! Dripping caramel makes everything better!
Renee says
Oh my goodness this looks amazin!
Tonia says
Thank Renee! We sure enjoyed it.
Melissa @ A Virtuous Woman says
This looks sooooo good! I can’t wait to try it!
Tonia says
Thanks Melissa! You are going to love it!
Carol Langille says
This looks amazing…might have to do it for our office Thanksgiving party. But, what is caramel dip? Is it like the ice cream topping?
Tonia says
Thanks Carol! You can totally use caramel ice cream topping but I used caramel dip for apples.
Anna Bennett says
Tonia,
It looks AWESOME!!!! 🙂 You keep out doing yourself.
That is alright tho as I love every thing that you share with us…
Tonia says
Thanks Anna!
Dina says
wow sounds like a yummy cake!
Tanya Schroeder says
Wow Tonia, this is stunning! Look at all those lovely layers of cake and mousse!! Wish I was the one digging into to it!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
What a gorgeous cake! And that dripping caramel?! SWOON!
Weezie says
Tonia-LOVE this cake but from the photo is doesn’t look like the carmel sauce is added to the mousse but rather after when it is drizzled over the top=pls cloarify.
Thanks!!
Tonia says
Thanks Weezie! There is caramel IN the mousse, spread on the top and drizzled down the sides. Thanks for stopping by!
Teresa says
This look utterly AMAZING! I’m ready for a slab right now!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Oh my…I want a huge slice of that cake too! Talk about fall on a plate! Yummo!!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I want a pie of this cake,like right now!!