https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2015/09/11/easy-caramel-apple-spice-cake/
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Ingredients
Cake
1 Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix
12 oz. can Ginger Ale
Combine ginger ale and spice cake mix in large mixing bowl. Follow the directions on the box for mixing (minus the other ingredients). Pour cake batter into greased and floured 9 x 2 inch cake pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees until cake tests done, (when a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean), approximately 35 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan and allow cake to cool completely.
If desired, poke holes in top of cake and drizzle with leftover sugar syrup from sautéed apples.
Arrange sautéed apples over cake, top with warm caramel and candied pecans if desired.
Apples
2 pounds apples, about 5 – 6 medium sized (I used Honeycrisp)
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of table salt
2 tablespoons butter
Cut apples into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Toss sliced apples with a mixture of 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Add apple mixture to a pan with 2 tablespoons melted butter and sauté over medium heat until apples are crisp-tender, about 3 – 5 minutes. Remove apples from pan and cool completely, about 30 minutes.
If desired, use leftover butter/ cinnamon/sugar mixture from sauteing your apples and drizzle or spoon over the top of your cake.
Apple Brandy-Caramel Sauce
You can make this caramel sauce in advance and refrigerate allowing it to thicken. When ready to use, microwave briefly to warm and drizzle over cake.
Yield: Makes about 2/3 cup
Total time: 25 Minutes
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
Pinch of table salt
*1 tablespoon apple brandy *(substitute regular brandy or 1 -2 teaspoons vanilla if you prefer)
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Bring brown sugar, butter, cream, and salt to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Boil, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and stir in apple brandy. Whisk in powdered sugar; allow to cool before serving. Caramel will thicken as it cools.