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Moist Apple Dapple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

Close-up of a moist slice of apple dapple cake topped with caramelized apples and drizzled with caramel sauce.
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Bake a very moist, spiced apple cake featuring fresh apples throughout and topped with a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 3 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the chopped apples.
  7. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup brown sugar and the chopped nuts (if using). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
  9. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze.
  11. For the glaze: In a small saucepan, melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup packed light brown sugar and 1/4 cup milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, and let it boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  12. Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, poke holes all over the top using a skewer or fork.
  13. Pour the hot brown sugar glaze evenly over the hot cake, allowing it to soak in.
  14. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use firm, slightly tart apples for the best texture and flavor contrast against the sweet glaze.
  • Buttermilk keeps this cake very moist; do not substitute with regular milk if possible.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, boil the glaze mixture for 1 to 2 minutes instead of 1 minute.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sundayflavor.com/apple-dapple-cake-moist-home/