Easy-as-Pie Apple Cake

Easy-as-Pie Apple Cake
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
1¼ hours
Rating
5(3,786)
Comments
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The name of this cake is somewhat deceiving, since most apple cakes are easier than pie (which is actually never that easy if you’re making it from scratch). In any case, it’s a simple, excellent cake with a tender crumb, subtle spicing and soft pockets of fruit. Serve it plain, or with a dollop of ice cream, whipped cream or crème fraîche. —Melissa Clark

Featured in: Baking Cookbooks That (Gently) Push the Limits

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings
  • 1cup/125 grams unbleached all-purpose flour, more as needed
  • ¼teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2ounces/57 grams unsalted butter (½ stick), softened
  • 1cup/200 grams granulated sugar
  • 1teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1large egg
  • 2cups diced apples (from about 2 apples)
  • ½cup/57 grams toasted pecans, chopped (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

279 calories; 12 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 42 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 28 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 109 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.

  2. Step 2

    In a mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the egg and mix until smooth.

  3. Step 3

    With the mixer on low, beat in dry ingredients until smooth (at this point the batter will be quite thick). Fold in the apples and nuts by hand.

  4. Step 4

    Spread batter evenly into a greased and floured 9-inch fluted tart or quiche pan with 1-inch sides. (Alternatively you can use a 9-inch cake pan with 1-inch sides.) Bake until cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Ratings

5 out of 5
3,786 user ratings
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Comments

This recipe appeared in one of my grandmother's community cookbooks (and I'm no youngster, so it's an old recipe). It's about the only cake I make. I make it with apples, pears, rhubarb, plums, blobs of ripe hachiya persimmon; I use different spices and sometimes cocoa; I use olive oil in place of butter; I add up to half of different flours. It's a wonderful recipe.

In name of all of us from the Old World, I would like to thank the author of this recipe for adding the amounts in grams. All hail universally understandable measurements!

"...a greased and floured 9-inch fluted tart or quiche pan..." is round. That's not the same as a 9" square pan which is 81 sq. in. The area of a 9" round pan is ~63.5 sq. in. An 8X8 pan has almost the same area as a 9" round pan.

I made this for the first time this week and it turned out great. Follow recipe exactly except did not have fresh nutmeg. Will try adding nutmeg next time. While I was making the batter I was a little concerned because it seemed too stiff for cake. Felt more like cookie dough. Adding the apples seems to provide enough juice to make it turn out as a cake My family loves this cake and asked when we can make it again

I’ve made this numerous times and it’s always a hit. Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten free flour works perfectly to make it gluten free. Have also substituted vegan butter with excellent results. This recipe will be a keeper for the long haul.

Loved it! Added some extra spices like cardamom and orange zest. Also added a handful of chopped apricots and reduced the sugar a bit. Sprinkled some brown sugar on top! Has anyone made it with almond flour, or a mix of flours?

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Credits

Adapted from "Food52 Baking"

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