Brown Butter Apple Cake
Brown Butter Apple Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert made with brown butter, which adds a rich, nutty flavor to the cake. Fresh apples are folded into the batter, enhancing its sweetness and texture. The result is a warm, comforting cake perfect for fall, with a tender crumb and delicious aroma.
Equipment
- 9-inch round or square cake pan
- Mixing bowls (large and small)
- Hand or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Medium saucepan for browning butter
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups 4 sticks unsalted butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- 4 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan, or line it with parchment paper.
- Brown the Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the 2 cups of butter. Stir constantly until the butter turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Add the browned butter and sour cream, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Combine the Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold the diced apples into the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy the rich, buttery, and spiced apple cake!
Notes
❖ Choosing Apples: I recommend using tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, as they complement the richness of the brown butter nicely. If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can use a sweeter apple variety.
❖ Making Ahead: This cake can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. The flavors will only improve as it sits, and it stays moist for several days.