Autumn Apple Spice Cake

 

Autumn is my favourite time of year... There's a nip in the air, the sunlight is honey-gold, and the flavours are rich, warm, and home. If you need to be transported to an autumn tree-lined lane, this soundtrack never fails to work for me.

Generally I'm not a cake person, but in the autumn and winter I love a good coffee cake or spice cake with a cup of maple black tea with a good book or my favourite fall films. 

If you are looking for something cinnamon-spicy and appley-dapply, here is a sour cream apple spice cake recipe for you! 

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter*, softened (8 Tablespoons) 
• 3/4 – 1 Cup packed brown sugar
• 1-2 tsp vanilla or maple flavouring (or 1 tsp of each)
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream/yoghurt*
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and grated (granny smith are super good!)

I like to add the spices to the wet mixture, but most folks include them in the flour/dry ingredients. You can decide which you prefer. ;)

• • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    
  • 1 Tbs fresh grated ginger (or 1 tsp dry)
    
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (270 grams) whole wheat flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 
  

Optional - Cinnamon Crumble Topping:

    

      2-3 Tbs Butter

      1/4 C Oats

      3 Tbs Brown Sugar

      1 Tbs Flour

       Cinnamon (to taste)

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Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9"×9" or 9"x13" glass pan with butter.
2. In a medium bowl or sifter, combine the dry ingredients. Whisk together/sift flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 
3. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer or whisk 2-3 minutes, until light, fluffy, and well combined.
4. Mix in eggs, one at a time.
5. Stir in sour cream and apples.
6. Add the dry ingredients mixture and gently mix till all dry ingredients are just mixed together. Don’t over-mix.
7. Pour cake batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with crumble topping, if desired.
8. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 
9. Cool on a wire rack. *
10. Make this recipe dairy free by using vegetable oil and apple sauce in place of the butter and sour cream.




Inspired by: https://www.onelovelylife.com/apple-spice-cake/

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash