A moist and flavorful cake, bursting with the sweet-tartness of apples and the chewy goodness of raisins. This classic recipe is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup chopped apples
- ½ cup raisins
- For the Glaze:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Fruit: Gently fold in the chopped apples and raisins.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before glazing.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in the milk and vanilla extract until desired consistency.
- Glaze the Cake: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake and let it set.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of white and brown sugar.
- To prevent the raisins from sinking to the bottom, toss them in a bit of flour before adding to the batter.
- For a more intense apple flavor, use a variety of apples with different sweetness and tartness levels.
- You can also add other fruits like cranberries or blueberries to the cake.
Enjoy this delicious and comforting cake with a cup of tea or coffee.