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The Ultimate Moist Apple Dapple Cake with Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze: An Old-Fashioned Fall Favorite

Close-up of a moist slice of apple dapple cake topped with a thick caramel sauce dripping down the side.
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Bake this incredibly moist apple dapple cake, packed with fresh apples and warm spices, and finish it with a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze. This easy, old-fashioned recipe is perfect for fall gatherings and Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups fresh apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 4 medium apples)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for topping)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for glaze)
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar (for glaze)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan or Bundt pan.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup of softened butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the diced fresh apples and pecans, if using.
  6. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
  7. In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter.
  8. Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for exactly 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  10. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
  11. Invert the cake onto a serving plate. Drizzle the warm brown sugar glaze evenly over the top of the warm cake. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor contrast.
  • If you do not have a tube pan, a 9×13 inch baking dish works, but reduce the baking time slightly.
  • This cake stays moist for several days when stored covered at room temperature.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://completelyyummy.com/apple-dapple-cake-moist-brown-sugar-glaze/