Grandma's Apple Fritter Cake: A Taste of Fall in Every Bite
There's something truly special about a dessert that evokes the warmth and comfort of fall. This Apple Fritter Cake recipe captures that feeling perfectly, with its tender crumb studded with juicy apple pieces, a sweet and spiced filling, and a finishing touch of decadent glaze.
Imagine cutting into a slice of this cake and being greeted by a delightful symphony of textures and flavors. The cake itself is soft and fluffy, while the cinnamon-infused apple filling adds a burst of juicy sweetness. The brown sugar topping creates a satisfying crunch, and the glaze ties everything together with a touch of sugary elegance.
This recipe isn't just about the taste; it's about the ease of preparation. No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques are required. It's perfect for baking with the family, creating memories that are just as sweet as the cake itself.
Ingredients:
- For the Apple Filling:
- 1 heaping cup of sliced apples (cored, quartered, and thinly sliced)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
- For the Brown Sugar Topping:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark, or a mixture of both)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- For the Cake:
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
- Craft the Apple Filling: In a small saucepan, combine the sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and water. Cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly. The goal is a thickened sauce with slightly softened apples. Set this mixture aside to cool completely.
- Prepare the Brown Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, simply mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together until well combined. Set this aside for later.
- Preheat and Prep for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish to ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
- Creaming the Batter: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, which takes about 3 minutes. This process incorporates air into the batter, contributing to the cake's tenderness.
- Adding the Wet Ingredients: Once light and fluffy, add the applesauce and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, beating well until fully combined.
- Egg by Egg Incorporation: Next, introduce the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures the eggs are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Dry Ingredients in Action: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This dry mixture will be the foundation of your cake's structure.
- Alternating Wet and Dry: It's time to assemble the batter! Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the Greek yogurt (or sour cream) in two parts. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, making sure to mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Layering the Cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking dish. Gently spoon the cooled apple filling over the batter, spreading it as evenly as possible.
- Sweet and Crunchy Layers: Sprinkle 2/3 of the brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the apples. Now, carefully pour the remaining cake batter over the top, creating a final layer. Finally, sprinkle the remaining brown sugar cinnamon mixture over the very top of the cake.
- Baking to Golden Perfection: Bake the cake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates that the cake is fully baked through.
- A Touch of Glaze (Optional): While the cake cools, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Comments
Post a Comment