Friday, March 5, 2010

Apple Buttermilk Cake

Apple Buttermilk Cake

I have not been able to stop thinking about the strawberry buttermilk cake I made last summer. Normally, I try to avoid repeats, but I loved this cake, I couldn't wait to make it again with some more seasonal flavors. I remember that Maria made an apple version a few months ago, so I decided to try my hand at that. I've had one lone pink lady apple in my fruit bowl for longer than I care to admit. It was the perfect way to use up that apple and the buttermilk left over from those amazing biscuits. This cake so was so good! The hint of cinnamon in the apples and cake batter was warm and inviting and it was the perfect way to end my week and relax on a rainy night. Plus, you know what? I'm not done making this cake yet. You can be sure it will pop up again in the spring or summer with a different kind of berry in the same wonderful cake.

Apple Buttermilk Cake



Apple Buttermilk Cake
(Adapted from Gourmet, June 2009)



Makes 1 4.5-inch cake

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 egg
1/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 small pink lady apple, thinly sliced
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Dash of cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees with rack in the middle. Butter and flour a 4.5-inch round cake pan.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

Beat butter and 1/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in vanilla. Add egg and beat well.

In a small bowl mix together the sliced apples with a squeeze of lemon juice and a dash of cinnamon.

At low speed, mix in flour mixture in three batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.

Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Scatter the apples evenly over the top and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.

Bake until the cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 20-30 minutes. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool to warm, 10 more minutes.

Printable Recipe

Stumble Upon Toolbar

17 comments:

Maria said...

I love apple desserts and baking with buttermilk, so this is a winner for me!

The Food Librarian said...

Must make. Must make. This looks fantastic!! - mary

vanillasugarblog said...

:::printing::: I must make this. I want raspberies, no apples, no strawberries. oh hell.

Joie de vivre said...

Gorgeous! I love buttermilk cake. The buttermilk keeps it so moist. I love the contrast of your dark table with your white dishes. It makes the photo look so professional.

Memória said...

What a BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL bread. I've never heard of this type of cake. I must try it soon. Have I ever told you that I love your photos? Oh, I have? hahaha

Pam said...

Apples are delicious and this is the perfect excuse for using them. It looks and sounds delicious and is making me drool! Yum!

Jenn said...

Yummy cake!!! Now that I know your little trick to making buttermilk last longer than expected.

Diana said...

Sigh - LOVE that cake! Would never think to try it with apples! But now I must. Well, not now. In April.

Wah wah.

L. P. Skeen said...

Ok I have to admit my first thought was REALLY? Is she serious? A 4.5 inch CAKE? Then I thought - hey, a 4.5 inch cake!!! That means, a little piece for me, the rest for mi esposa, and none left over to tempt me! ROCK ON!!!

angela@spinachtiger said...

Yummy. I hate to be so cliche, but this is my kind of cake. But, I want it with peaches!

Virginia said...

Beautiful! I love the idea of a cake that can successfully taste different with the change of your whims and/or the seasons. Gotta try this one.

Anonymous said...

perfect. I have apples and buttermilk sitting around. Now they can be put together in perfect harmony this evening! thanks!

Stella said...

This cake looks really good-the picture of the whole cake is so pretty too.

Samantha Kate said...

This is by far the cutest cake I've ever seen. It doesn't need frosting or sprinkles.... it's just so simple. I love it!

Erica said...

Love Maria's recipes! She is on creative lady. This looks so pretty (I feel like I say this about all of your recipes). And pink ladies are some of my favorite! Hope you're doing well this weekend! Sorry I've been MIA- I hope to be back tonight

Peabody said...

This to me is the ultimate. I love apple cake. Oh and I bet the buttermilk makes it so moist.

Chef Fresco said...

How beautiful! It looks so moist & delicious. Nice photo as weel!