A delicious and moist apple cake, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are good choices)
- For the Topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or a 9-inch springform pan.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Add apples: Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon for the topping.
- Pour batter into pan: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle topping: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the cake batter. Drizzle the melted butter over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Optional additions:
- Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) to the batter or sprinkle on top before baking.
- Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy!