The Ultimate Fresh Apple Cake Recipe: A Delicious Fall Treat
Autumn is in the air, and what better way to celebrate the season than with a warm, comforting slice of fresh apple cake? This recipe delivers a moist, flavorful cake bursting with the delicious taste of fresh apples. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy-to-follow recipe!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for even beginner bakers.
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix!), peeled, cored, and diced
For the Crumble Topping (Optional, but highly recommended!):
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Let's get baking! Follow these easy steps for a perfect apple cake.
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This ensures even distribution of spices throughout the cake.
2. Cream Together the Butter and Sugar:
In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a light and airy cake. Use an electric mixer for best results.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix.
4. Fold in the Apples:
Gently fold in the diced apples. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
5. Prepare the Crumble Topping (Optional):
While the batter is ready, prepare the crumble topping. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, pecans (if using), and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the batter, if using. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and Serve:
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and serve. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream!
Tips for the Perfect Fresh Apple Cake:
- Apple Selection: Choose a variety of apples for a complex flavor profile. A mix of sweet and tart apples works best.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs helps create a smoother batter.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.
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