Description
Warm, spiced apple pound cake brings classic comfort to your dessert table. Moist layers of cinnamon-infused batter and tender apple chunks create a nostalgic treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Fruit and Flour):
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Primary Binding and Sweetening Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup milk, room temperature
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional Glaze Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream (or substitute milk)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 300°F (150°C) and coating a loaf pan with a light grease layer.
- Whip the butter using an electric mixer until it transforms into a smooth, airy texture, approximately 3 minutes.
- Incorporate granulated sugar and cinnamon into the butter, continuing to blend until the mixture achieves a fluffy, pale consistency.
- Introduce eggs individually into the mixture, gently mixing after each addition to maintain a uniform texture.
- Gradually integrate flour and milk into the batter, alternating between ingredients to create a silky, well-combined mixture.
- Infuse the batter with vanilla extract, stirring to distribute the aromatic essence evenly.
- Gently fold chopped apples through the batter, ensuring they are uniformly suspended throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, filling it approximately three-quarters full to allow proper rising during baking.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for roughly 65 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
- Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- For the optional glaze, whisk melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until achieving a smooth, slightly thickened consistency.
- Once the cake has cooled entirely, delicately drizzle the glaze across the top for an elegant, sweet finish.
- Serve the cake in slices, optionally accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.
- Preserve remaining cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness up to 5 days.
Notes
- Gentle folding of apples ensures even distribution and prevents sinking to the bottom of the cake.
- Low and slow baking at 300°F creates a moist, tender crumb with perfectly developed flavors.
- Room temperature ingredients help create a smoother, more uniform batter with better texture.
- Toothpick test is crucial for determining cake doneness – it should come out clean with no wet batter.
- Optional glaze adds a luxurious sweetness and elegant finish to the rustic apple pound cake.
- Cooling in the pan briefly before transferring helps the cake maintain its structure and prevents breaking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 424
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg