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The Ultimate Moist Apple Dapple Cake with Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze

Close-up of a slice of moist apple dapple cake topped with crumb and dripping with rich caramel sauce.
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Bake this classic, old-fashioned Apple Dapple Cake. It stays incredibly moist with fresh apples and warm spices, topped with a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze. This simple recipe delivers American comfort food baking from scratch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

For the Brown Sugar Topping:

  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 3/4 cups flour, baking soda, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the diced apples and pecans, if using. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
  6. Prepare the brown sugar topping: In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 cup flour. Cut in the 1/4 cup cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the cake batter.
  7. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar until the glaze is smooth.
  9. Once the cake is out of the oven, immediately drizzle the warm buttery brown sugar glaze evenly over the hot cake.
  10. Let the cake cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For the moistest cake, use fresh, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
  • You can use a Bundt pan; adjust baking time as needed, usually around 50-60 minutes.
  • This cake tastes excellent the next day, making it a good choice for holiday prep.

Nutrition

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