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The BEST Moist Apple Dapple Cake with Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze

A moist slice of apple dapple cake topped with thick, dripping caramel sauce on a white plate.
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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 is 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 (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced fresh apples (about 2 medium apples)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredient mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the diced fresh apples and pecans, if using. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  7. Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cake batter.
  8. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  10. Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, poke holes all over the top surface using a skewer or fork. Pour the warm brown sugar glaze evenly over the hot cake.
  11. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For the moistest results, use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
  • You can substitute walnuts for pecans if you prefer.
  • This cake is excellent served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/apple-dapple-cake-best-moist-recipe/