🍎 Soft Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus more for topping)
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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1/4 cup brown sugar (optional, for extra moisture & depth)
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
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2 medium apples, peeled and chopped (firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)
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Optional: Powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar for dusting on top
Instructions:
1. Prep oven and pan:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or 8×8-inch square cake pan. You can also line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
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Flour
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Baking powder
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Cinnamon
Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugars:
In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar (if using) until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
4. Add eggs and vanilla:
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Add yogurt and dry ingredients:
Mix in the yogurt (or sour cream). Then add the dry ingredients gradually and mix until just combined — don’t overmix.
6. Fold in apples:
Gently stir in the chopped apples with a spatula or wooden spoon.
7. Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. If desired, sprinkle a little cinnamon-sugar on top before baking.
Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and serve:
Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze before serving if you’d like.
📝 Tips & Variations:
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Add nuts: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
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Glaze idea: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tbsp milk and a pinch of cinnamon for a drizzle.
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Make it a loaf: Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake 55–60 minutes.
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Make it dairy-free: Use oil instead of butter and plant-based yogurt or milk + lemon juice.
Let me know if you’d like this turned into a muffin recipe, or made gluten-free!
