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Apple Fritter Skillet Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 76 reviews
  • Author: Mariam
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Apple Fritter Skillet Cake is a warm, comforting dessert that features tender cinnamon-spiced apples baked under a thick, moist cake batter. Cooked in a cast iron skillet, the cake captures the rustic flavors and syrupy sweetness of apple fritters, finished with a smooth powdered sugar glaze for a delightful homemade treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cinnamon Apples

  • 3 cups peeled and diced honeycrisp apples (about 3 medium apples)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup (65g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Apple Fritter Cake Batter

  • 2 1/2 cups (330g) all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup (110g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1/2 cup (105g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup (120g) unsweetened apple sauce, room temp
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temp
  • 1/2 cup (120g) milk
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar, for sprinkling

Icing

  • 2 cups (220g) powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cinnamon Apples: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place an 11-12-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the peeled and diced apples, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/3 cup light brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook until the apples become tender and coated in a syrup-like mixture, about 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted and cooled 1/2 cup unsalted butter with 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce until smooth. Then whisk in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 large eggs until well incorporated.
  4. Combine Batter: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring to combine. The batter will be very thick. Halfway through mixing, gradually whisk in 1/2 cup milk to loosen the batter. The final batter should be thick and sticky.
  5. Prepare Skillet for Baking: Remove about 1/2 cup of the cooked apples along with some syrup from the skillet and set aside. Pour the remaining apples and syrup in the skillet, then add the batter on top. Fold gently just enough to distribute apples evenly through the batter but do not overmix.
  6. Add Reserved Apples and Sugar: Spoon the reserved 1/2 cup of apples on top of the batter in a random pattern. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon light brown sugar over the apple sections for extra sweetness and caramelization.
  7. Bake the Cake: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Prepare Icing: While the cake cools (~15 minutes), whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/4 cup milk until smooth and glaze-like. If the icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar one spoonful at a time until reaching desired consistency.
  9. Glaze the Cake: Once the cake has cooled slightly, pour the icing evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to drizzle down the sides.
  10. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the cake directly from the skillet or scoop with a spoon. Enjoy warm for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Using a cast iron or oven-safe skillet is crucial to achieve the rustic texture and even baking of this cake.
  • Honeycrisp apples are recommended for their balance of sweetness and tartness, but other firm apples like Granny Smith or Fuji can also be used.
  • Make sure the eggs, apple sauce, and milk are at room temperature to create a smooth batter.
  • The reserved apples on top add extra texture and sweetness; do not skip this step for best results.
  • The icing consistency should be like glue; adjust powdered sugar or milk accordingly.
  • This cake is best served warm, but leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.
  • The cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple fritter cake, skillet cake, apple dessert, cinnamon apple cake, cast iron dessert, easy apple cake

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Find it online: https://aromaofgrandma.com/apple-fritter-skillet-cake-recipe/