Apple Spice Cake – Browned Butter Blondie: A Warm and Irresistible Fall Favorite 🍎🧁✨
1. Introduction
Discover the delightful world of apple spice cake, a comforting dessert that combines the aromatic spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with tender apple pieces. This easy apple recipe promises a moist, flavorful cake topped with a luscious browned butter blondie that adds a rich, nutty goodness. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or craving a cozy treat, this apple spice cake will become a fall staple in your baking repertoire. For more dessert inspiration, explore our dessert collection.
2. Ingredients for the Apple Spice Cake and Browned Butter Blondie
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or finely chopped fresh apples
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- For the browned butter blondie:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
3. Preparing the Apple Spice Cake
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, applesauce, vanilla, and melted butter until well combined. Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently to combine.
Step 4: Incorporate Apples
Fold in the chopped apples or applesauce until evenly distributed. The apples provide moisture and natural sweetness to the cake.
Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.
4. Creating the Browned Butter Blondie Topping
Step 1: Brown the Butter
In a skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns a golden-brown color and emits a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 2: Mix Blondie Batter
In a bowl, combine the browned butter with brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing just until combined.
Step 3: Bake the Blondeies
Pour the blondie batter over the baked apple spice cake or spread it evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. This creates an irresistible browned butter blondie topping that complements the spiced cake beautifully.
5. Assembling and Serving Your Apple Spiced Cake with Browned Butter Blondie
Once cooled, carefully layer the browned butter blondie over the apple spice cake. For added flavor, drizzle with caramel sauce or sprinkle with chopped nuts. Serve slices warm or at room temperature. For an extra touch, garnish with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Consider pairing this dessert with a cup of hot coffee or a glass of cold milk for the perfect indulgence.
6. Storage Tips for Your Apple Spice Cake and Browned Butter Blondie
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to a week. To maintain freshness, reheat slices slightly before serving or enjoy cold. For baking enthusiasts, explore our baking tips to perfect your craft.
7. Serving Suggestions and Presentation Ideas
This apple spice cake with browned butter blondie is perfect for holiday gatherings, fall desserts, or cozy weekend treats. Serve with a dollop of vanilla whipped cream, a scattering of toasted pecans, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For an elegant presentation, add a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of cinnamon powder.
Enhance your baking setup with tools like the CAROTE nonstick cookware set for easy caramelization and baking precision. Or try adding a splash of vanilla extract from the KitchenAid stand mixer to your mixture for extra flavor.
8. FAQs about Apple Spice Cake and Browned Butter Blondie
Q1: Can I use fresh apples instead of applesauce?
Yes, using finely chopped fresh apples adds texture and freshness to your apple spice cake. Apple slices can also be used, but consider sautéing them briefly to soften.
Q2: How do I make browned butter for the blondie?
Cook unsalted butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it turns a golden brown and develops a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
Q3: How long does the apple spice cake with browned butter blondie last?
Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For best results, reheat slices slightly before serving for a fresh-baked feel.
Q4: Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?
For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the baking powder is gluten-free as well.
Q5: Can I add nuts or raisins?
Absolutely! Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
9. Conclusion
This apple spice cake paired with a rich, browned butter blondie topping is a showstopper for any autumn celebration or cozy weekend. Its aromatic spices, juicy apples, and buttery, nutty blondie create a harmony of flavors that everyone will love. Whether serving it warm with whipped cream or cool with a cup of tea, this dessert promises to be a memorable treat. Explore more delightful recipes on our baking blog and elevate your homemade desserts today!
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Apple Spice Cake – Browned Butter Blondie
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
- Diet: Contains gluten, eggs, dairy
Description
Enjoy a cozy and aromatic fall dessert with our Apple Spice Cake topped with a rich, browned butter blondie. This moist cake features tender apple pieces and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, beautifully complemented by a nutty blondie topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings, autumn weekends, or whenever you crave a comforting treat, this apple spice cake with browned butter blondie is a delightful addition to your baking repertoire.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or finely chopped fresh apples
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- For the browned butter blondie:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, applesauce, vanilla, and melted butter until well combined. Gradually add to dry ingredients and mix gently.
- Fold in chopped apples or applesauce until evenly incorporated.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly.
- For the blondie topping, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat until golden and nutty. Remove and cool slightly.
- Mix browned butter with brown sugar, egg, and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; stir until just combined.
- Spread blondie batter over the baked cake or on a baking sheet, then bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden.
- Once cooled, layer the blondie over the cake. Garnish with caramel, nuts, whipped cream, or powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm apples or applesauce for optimal moisture.
- Toast nuts or add raisins for extra flavor.
- Ensure blondie and cake are fully cooled before assembling to prevent melting.
- Reheat slices slightly for a fresher, warm experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes for cake, 15-20 minutes for blondie
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 Kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
