Apple Snacking Cake with Salted Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
User Reviews
5
Apple Snacking Cake with Salted Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Description
The cake batter blends wet ingredients including melted salted butter, unsweetened applesauce, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract with a spiced mixture of flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Chopped honeycrisp apples are folded in to contribute moisture and fresh apple flavor. After baking until a clean tester comes out, the cake is cooled completely.
Meanwhile, butter is browned carefully until it turns golden amber, developing a toasty aroma, then used to make the cream cheese frosting with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The frosting’s complexity balances the cake’s spice and fruit notes.
This cake is great for casual snacking or as a dessert; its moist texture and layered spice flavors make it satisfying without heavy sweetness. It benefits from cooling fully before frosting to maintain proper texture. The frosting's preparation is time-sensitive to catch the right browning stage for flavor.
Refer to the full post for additional customization tips, tricks, and full method details.
Ingredients
- Wet Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter salted, melted, 56 grams
- 1 applesauce unsweetened, 250 grams
- 2 egg large, at room temperature
- ½ cup maple syrup pure, 156 grams
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 210 grams, or substitute gluten free all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Mix-ins:
- 2 cups apple honeycrisp, chopped, peeled, cored, cut into ¼ inch pieces (from 1 large apple
- For the Salted Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 tablespoons butter salted, sliced, 56 grams
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened, 112 grams
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar 170 grams
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
- For topping:
- cinnamon
- sea salt flaky
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until well combined: melted butter, applesauce, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in the chopped apples.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- While the cake cooks and cools, brown the butter for the frosting: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk constantly; the butter will begin to crackle, then foam. After a few minutes, the butter will begin to turn a golden amber color. As soon as the butter turns brown and gives off a nutty aroma, 5 to 8 minutes total, pour the brown butter into a small bowl and transfer to the fridge for 45 to 60 minutes to allow the butter to resolidify so that it’s similar to room temperature butter but not completely hardened (poking it should leave an indent). If it hardens too much, allow it to soften up at room temperature.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer), beat the cooled brown butter on high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the cream cheese and beat on high until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon and a big pinch of flaky sea salt on top, then cut the cake into 16 slices and enjoy! Leftover cake should be stored covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- This cake is designed as a moist, spiced snack cake ideal for casual eating or dessert.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and texture issues.
- Brown butter carefully when preparing the frosting to achieve a golden amber color without burning, which adds a nutty depth of flavor.
- Use honeycrisp apples peeled, cored, and chopped into quarter-inch pieces for the best texture and flavor.
- Consult the full recipe details for tips on modifying spices and customization options.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 222 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice (based on 16) | |
| Calories | 222cal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 33.2g | 11% |
| Protein | 2.8g | 6% |
| Fat | 8.9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5.3g | 27% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 20.8g | 42% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
