Apple Dapple Cake is one of those wonderfully old-fashioned desserts that doesn’t need layers, fancy decorating, or even a cake plate to make an impression. Packed with fresh apples and pecans and finished with a warm, buttery brown sugar frosting, it falls somewhere between an apple cake and a sticky caramel dessert—and that is a very good place to be.

The name “Apple Dapple Cake” has been attached to variations of fresh apple cake for decades, particularly in Southern kitchens, where recipes like this were a delicious way to put an abundance of apples to good use. Unlike many cakes, there’s no milk or other liquid in the batter. In fact, when you mix it, you may wonder if you’ve done something wrong. You haven’t! The four cups of apples release their juices as the cake bakes, creating an incredibly moist, dense cake.

Apple Dapple Cake is rustic, easy and even better served warm. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and I certainly won’t tell anyone.

Apple Dapple Cake

Ingredients

  • 3 Cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1½ cups cooking oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 4 cups apples, chopped (Cosmic or Granny Smith)
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

Frosting

  • ¼ cup salted butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray.
  2. Mix or sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, add granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Use a hand mixer to blend ingredients well.
  4. Add flour mixture in 3 batches. The batter will be thick.
  5. Fold in apples and pecans.
  6. Spread in a 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake for 55 minutes.
  7. 15 minutes before cake is done, prepare frosting. On stove top, add butter, brown sugar, oil, granulated sugar, and cream. Bring to a simmer and cook 3 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool slightly.
  8. Remove cake from the oven and allow to cool on rack for 5 minutes before pouring frosting on cake.

Food Fairy Tips

  • Choose an apple with some personality. Granny Smith gives the cake a tart contract, while Cosmic Crisp provides a sweeter flavor while still holding up during baking. You can also use a combination of the two.
  • Serve warm for the best flavor. Cake will last at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate to last longer.
  • Avoid big chunks of apples.
  • This cake will freeze well in individual slices in a container.

Search for ingredients at FOOD CITY.

Simple recipes. Big flavor. Little fuss. Aneisa Rolen shares easy-to-follow recipes with companion videos, making home cooking approachable for every cook.

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Enjoyed this article? Read more Dishing It Out with Aneisa Rolen.

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