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Caramel Apple Mousse Cake

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Caramel Apple Mousse Cake is layers of apple cake and creamy caramel mousse. This apple dessert is perfect for fall!

Caramel Apple Mousse Cake

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. Last year the weather was cold, and this year it was rainy.

Luckily we found a couple of 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.

Spread Caramel Mousse over 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 when 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 four layers.

Caramel Pecan Mousse Apple Cake on red stand

Spread caramel over the top layer of mousse and allow it to drip down the sides. Top the cake with toasted pecans.

Slice Removed From Pecan Layer Cake

Cut a big slice. The caramel mousse holds the layers together.

caramel apple mousse cake slice

Enjoy the Caramel Apple Mousse Cake with a cup of coffee. There’s nothing like apple desserts in the fall!

More Apple Recipes

  • Our easy Apple Crumble is filled with tart apples and a sweet apple crumble topping. It’s easy to make and even better than pie!
  • You’ve got to try making caramel for apples! This recipe is so easy to make with only five ingredients!
  • This four-ingredient Apple Cobbler is made with apple pie filling, cake mix, pumpkin pie spice, and butter!
  • Our easy Apple Crisp recipe is delicious with vanilla ice cream on top!
Caramel Apple Mousse Cake

Caramel Apple Mousse Cake

Yield: 16
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Caramel Apple Mousse Cake is layers of apple cake and creamy caramel mousse. This apple dessert is perfect for fall!

Ingredients

Apple Cake

  • 1 spice cake mix
  • 3/4 cup apple sauce
  • ½ cup milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 2 apples, peeled and chopped

Caramel Mousse

  • 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

Toppings

  • 1/2 cup caramel dip or caramel ice cream topping, I used Marzetti Old Fashioned Caramel Dip
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans

Instructions

Apple Cake

  1. Combine cake mix, apple sauce, milk, eggs and oil.
  2. Stir in chopped apples.
  3. Divide batter between two greased, round cake pans.
  4. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes.

Caramel Mousse

  1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese.
  2. Add caramel dip, beat until smooth.
  3. Beat in powdered sugar.
  4. Fold in whipped topping.

Caramel Apple Mousse Cake

  1. Allow the cakes to cool before cutting them in half.
  2. Spread 1/4 of the caramel mousse on each of the 4 layers.
  3. 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.
  4. Top the cake with toasted pecans.

Notes

Adapted from Taste of Home

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 504Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 452mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 1gSugar: 56gProtein: 5g

Nutrition data is calculated automatically by Nutritionix and isn't always accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health.

© Tonia Larson
Cuisine: American / Category: Cake

More Cake

About Tonia Larson

Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

Comments

    • 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

      Reply

  2. 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!

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

  6. 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.

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  7. 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.

    Reply

  9. 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.

    Reply

  10. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  11. 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

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  15. 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.

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

        • 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.

          Reply

  16. 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! 🙂

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  20. Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says

    Oh my goodness, all that dripping caramel! This cake looks amazing! Perfect for fall!

    Reply

  23. 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?

    Reply

  24. 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…

    Reply

  26. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!!

      Reply

      • Tonia says

        Thanks Weezie! There is caramel IN the mousse, spread on the top and drizzled down the sides. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply

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