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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 filled with pecans, topped with thick caramel glaze.
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Bake this old-fashioned Apple Dapple Cake from scratch. It stays incredibly moist with fresh apples, warm spices, and a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze.

Ingredients

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  • 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 (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups peeled, cored, and diced fresh apples (about 3 medium apples)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted (for glaze)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (for glaze)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

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 flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 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, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the diced fresh apples and optional pecans.
  6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  7. In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of the cinnamon and nutmeg mixture reserved from step 2. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.
  8. Bake for 45 to 55 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 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 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. Immediately pour the hot glaze evenly over the warm cake as soon as it comes out of the oven.
  11. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor contrast against the sweet glaze.
  • For an extra comforting flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves to the dry spice mix.
  • If you prefer a Bundt cake, use a greased and floured 10-cup Bundt pan and adjust baking time, checking for doneness around 50 minutes.

Nutrition

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