BLUE-RIBBON APPLE CAKE
From Cooks Illustrated: Finding a quick, simple cake with big apple flavor is a lot harder than it should be. We found that, more often than not, apple cakes are simply spice cakes studded with cubes of raw apple. Or they are as complicated as fine pastry. We wanted a simple, easy-to-make cake in which the sweet-tart flavor of the apples was the star of the show. Here's what we discovered: Test Kitchen Discoveries The apples must be cooked before baking to bring out the best of their flavor and reduce the juices that would otherwise turn the cake mushy as they steam. Cooking the apples in butter and sugar until soft adds a deep, caramel flavor to the cake. Not any apple will do. Tart Granny Smith apples provide the brightest, strongest apple flavor and most toothsome texture. Many other varieties turned bland and mushy once baked. For the batter, we favor a simple sour cream-style cake above the rest. The crumb is tender and the slight tanginess of the sour cream cuts through the cake's richness. Lots of recipes use Bundt pans or high-sided cake pans, but we found a low 9-inch cake pan yields the best ratio of cake to apple. Cooling the cake for five minutes before turning it out of the pan allows the caramel on the bottom of the pan time to harden just enough to stick to the apples, not the pan. "Granny Smiths are the best choice because they hold their shape nicely and are tart. Other apples that hold their shape when cooked, such as Cortlands, can also be used in this recipe. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream."
Provided by senseicheryl
Categories Low Protein
Time 55m
Yield 1 9 inch pan, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 9-inch cake pan.
- For the Apples: Place butter in large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Once butter has stopped foaming, add sugar and stir to combine. Continue to cook until sugar turns dark brown (it should look like dark brown sugar), about 2 minutes, swirling pan occasionally. Add salt and apples and fold with spatula to combine. Cook, stirring often, until apples have softened slightly and juices are thickened and syrupy, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove pan from heat and spoon apples into prepared cake pan.
- For the Cake:.
- In small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup sour cream, egg, yolk, and vanilla until well combined.
- Place flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Use electric mixer on low speed for 15 seconds to blend. Add butter and remaining 1/4 cup sour cream and mix on low speed until dry ingredients are moistened, 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and mix for 2 minutes. Add sour cream/egg mixture and beat on medium-high, scraping down sides of bowl, until batter is homogeneous and fluffy, about 1 minute.
- Spoon batter over apples and gently spread out to thin layer that covers apples. Bake until cake is dark golden brown, feels set, and cake tester comes out clean when inserted in center, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Place serving plate over top of pan and invert. Let cake sit inverted for about 1 minute without tapping or shaking pan. Cake will slowly detach itself. Once cake is on platter, gently remove pan. Serve warm (not hot) or at room temperature.
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xxghost xx01
[email protected]I love giving homemade gifts, and this apple cake is always a winner. It's easy to make, it's delicious, and it's always appreciated. I've given it to friends, family members, and even co-workers, and everyone has loved it.
Fred Vaslin
[email protected]I love baking with seasonal ingredients, and this apple cake is the perfect fall dessert. The apples are at their peak in the fall, and they give the cake a wonderful flavor. I also love the warm spices that are used in the recipe. They really captur
Kathleen Forbes
[email protected]I made this apple cake for my daughter's birthday party. It was a huge hit! The cake was moist and flavorful, and the streusel topping was the perfect finishing touch. Everyone loved it, and I'm sure I'll be making it again for future special occasio
dulcy mabuye
[email protected]As a busy parent, I don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. This apple cake is a lifesaver! It's so easy to make, and I can always count on it to turn out perfectly. My kids love it, and it's a great way to get them to eat their fruit.
Khan Ahamd
[email protected]I have a dairy allergy, so I was hesitant to try this recipe. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's easy to make a dairy-free version. I simply substituted almond milk for the regular milk and butter, and it turned out just as delicious.
Lolo Ahmed
[email protected]As a visually impaired baker, I appreciate the clear and detailed instructions in this recipe. I was able to follow them easily and independently. The cake turned out beautifully, and my family loved it.
Jaheim Reid
[email protected]This apple cake reminds me of my childhood. My grandmother used to make it for us every fall. The smell of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven always filled the house with warmth and comfort. I love making this cake now for my own family. It's a t
Drake Baptiste
[email protected]I love experimenting with different flavors in my baking. This time, I added a teaspoon of ground cardamom to the streusel topping. It gave the cake a warm and spicy flavor that was absolutely divine.
Anu Bamrel
[email protected]This apple cake is a great value for the price. The ingredients are simple and affordable, and you can often find apples on sale. It's a delicious and economical dessert that's perfect for any budget.
Dhrubo Azim
[email protected]I have a gluten allergy, so I was thrilled to find this recipe for a gluten-free apple cake. I made a few minor adjustments to the ingredients, and it turned out perfectly. My whole family loved it, even my non-gluten-free members!
Ola Adisa
[email protected]I'm always looking for ways to make my desserts look as good as they taste. This apple cake is so visually appealing with the golden brown crust and the colorful apple slices on top. I love serving it to guests because it's sure to impress.
Mr Rocky khan0786
[email protected]I love this recipe because it's so quick and easy to make. I can have it ready in under an hour, which is perfect for busy weeknights. The cake is always a crowd-pleaser, and it's a great way to use up leftover apples.
Amanda Stapleton
[email protected]I made a few modifications to the recipe to make it healthier. I used whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour, and I reduced the amount of sugar. The cake still turned out delicious and was a hit with my family.
Sheikh Mehedi Hasan
[email protected]This apple cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion. It's sweet and satisfying, but not too heavy. I love serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Israrali Zardari
[email protected]As a beginner baker, I was a bit intimidated to try this recipe. But I'm so glad I did! The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the cake turned out beautifully. My family and friends were all impressed.
Samantha Underwood
[email protected]I've tried many apple cake recipes, but this one is by far the best. The cake turned out so moist and fluffy, and the apples were perfectly tender. I also love the streusel topping, which added a nice crunchy texture.
BABAR Sohail
[email protected]This apple cake was a hit at my family gathering! Everyone loved the moist and flavorful cake with the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The addition of cinnamon and nutmeg gave it a warm and inviting aroma that filled the kitchen.