Print

Ultimate Moist Apple Dapple Cake with Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze

A moist apple dapple cake loaf drizzled with white glaze and topped with pecans, sitting on a white plate.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Bake this old-fashioned Apple Dapple Cake. It stays incredibly moist using fresh apples and buttermilk, and it features a rich, buttery brown sugar glaze that soaks into the cake. This easy, foolproof recipe delivers a tender crumb and maximum flavor from scratch, making it perfect for holidays or cozy weekend baking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 3 cups fresh apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 3 medium apples)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • For the Buttery Brown Sugar Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set the dry ingredients aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the diced fresh apples and chopped pecans, if using.
  6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and milk over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  9. Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, poke holes all over the top surface using a skewer or fork.
  10. Pour the hot brown sugar glaze evenly over the entire surface of the hot cake. Let it soak in for 10 minutes.
  11. In a separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency for the final drizzle. Add more milk if needed to thin it slightly.
  12. Drizzle the powdered sugar glaze over the warm cake. Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor contrast against the sweet glaze.
  • You can bake this cake in a 10-inch Bundt pan; adjust the baking time slightly, checking around 45 minutes.
  • This cake is excellent served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an ultimate comfort food apple dessert experience.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/apple-dapple-cake-moist-brown-sugar-glaze/