Description
Luscious apple pound cake brings classic comfort to dessert tables across America. Rich with cinnamon and tender fruit, this nostalgic recipe offers warm sweetness you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped
- ¾ cup milk, room temperature
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 6 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 3 tbsps heavy cream (or substitute milk)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C) and thoroughly grease a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Butter Transformation: Cream butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cake batter.
- Sugar Integration: Blend granulated sugar and cinnamon into the butter, whipping until the mixture becomes pale and aerated.
- Egg Incorporation: Add eggs one at a time, gently mixing after each addition to maintain a consistent, velvety texture.
- Batter Development: Alternate adding flour and milk into the mixture, stirring carefully to create a silky, well-combined batter while avoiding overmixing.
- Flavor Enhancement: Stir in vanilla extract, distributing the aromatic essence evenly throughout the batter.
- Apple Distribution: Gently fold chopped apples into the batter, ensuring even suspension of fruit pieces.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into the prepared pan, filling approximately three-quarters full, and bake for 65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cooling and Finishing: Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling. Meanwhile, prepare the optional glaze by whisking melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Serving and Storage: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, slice, and serve. Optional accompaniment of whipped cream can enhance the dessert. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness up to 5 days.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and smoother cake texture, ensuring it’s soft but not melted.
- Apple Selection Tip: Choose firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best baking performance and balanced flavor.
- Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients to prevent tough cake texture, stopping mixer once ingredients are just combined to maintain delicate crumb.
- Cooling Crucial: Allow cake to cool completely before glazing to prevent runny, absorbed glaze and maintain the desired drizzle effect.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 50 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg