Ingredients

Nonstick baking spray with flour
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter; 1/2 cup melted and 1 cup softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 Fuji apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
Caramel Mousse, recipe follows
Candy-coated pecans, for serving
Caramel ice cream topping, for serving

Caramel Mousse:

1 package unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/3 cup boiling water
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with baking spray.

Pour 1/4 cup melted butter into each cake pan. Sprinkle each evenly with 3/4 cup brown sugar. Arrange the apple slices in a single layer over the brown sugar.

In a large bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup softened butter and the granulated sugar with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and beating just until the dry ingredients are moistened after each addition.

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 20 minutes. Invert the cakes onto wire racks (the apple side should be facing up) and let cool completely.

Spread half of the Caramel Mousse evenly over the top of one cake layer. Sprinkle with candy-coated pecans. Place the remaining cake layer on top and spread with the remaining Caramel Mousse. Drizzle with the caramel topping and sprinkle with more pecans before serving, if desired. Store the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Caramel Mousse:

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let soften for 2 minutes. Add the boiling water, stirring to dissolve.

In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream with a mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Slowly add the gelatin mixture, beating until combined. The mixture will look like it is melting, but will firm up. Stir in the caramel topping. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using. Yield: about 3 1/2 cups.

Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen