I think most food bloggers have a list of recipes stored somewhere that they want to try one day. For some, it’s pages clipped from a magazine or flags on pages in cookbooks while others manage their list online. Me? Well, my list exists almost completely in my head. Let’s be clear – this is not exactly the best strategy. I have the worst memory ever so it’s nearly impossible to recall where I saw a particular recipe when I’m actually ready to make it. Luckily, I have friends who are a lot more organized than me. I wanted to bake with apples recently and within a few minutes of asking my buddy Nancy if she had any recipes bookmarked, she sent me several great options. I scanned them all and wound up choosing the simplest one on that particular day, this apple cinnamon buttermilk cake.
This is one of those lovely cakes you can whip up quickly at the last minute and it’s always nice to have recipes like that in your repertoire. It’s a one-layer cake without any frosting, but don’t let its simplicity fool you; it’s fantastic. It’s moist and tender, with just a bit of tang from the buttermilk and lots of apple goodness. I wouldn’t skip the sprinkling of raw sugar and cinnamon on top of the batter just before the cake goes in the oven. I loved the extra cinnamon flavor and the slight crust the sugar formed as it baked. For me, the cake was best just slightly warm (straight from the oven or after 10-15 seconds in the microwave), but I think it’d be equally as good at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream. It’s a definite repeat here this fall, especially since I still have a ton of apples to use!
Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Cake
Adapted from Gourmet (as seen on Pinch My Salt)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), at room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup peeled and chopped apple (I used one medium Cortland)
heaping tablespoon of turbinado sugar
extra cinnamon for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray (specifically, the kind with flour in it) or butter and flour the pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and egg to the mixer and beat well. With the mixer on low, alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk in 3 additions, starting and ending with the dry ingredients (so dry, buttermilk, dry, buttermilk, dry). Beat only until just combined.
Scrape the batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula. Scatter the apple pieces evenly over the top of the cake batter then sprinkle evenly with raw sugar. Finally, sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for ten minutes, then turn it onto a wire rack to cool.
Just when I think I’m done with apples…I want to make another apple cake! That looks delicious.
Looks delicious. You’ve just reminded me that I have an apple cake to post too!
The cake looks delicious and it sounds easy to make. What could beat quick and easy and yummy?
Very pretty. And, yes, Nancy can come up with any recipe any time with any ingredient!! She is one organized woman.
I’m thinking we have a good thing going: you can preview the recipes I’ve bookmarked and let me know if I should make them! Yep, sounds like a plan to me. As does this cake – looks amazing and I’m psyched to hear that it’s easy also.
delicious cake looks yummy
Gorgeous cake, the last shot is breataking! I just got some apples from a co-worker.
Sometimes the simplist are the best. I can just magine how delishous this is..
Beautiful! Since it is 90 degrees today in Los Angeles, I need this to make it feel like fall! 🙂 Your photos are so pretty too. They make me hungry and belong in a food magazine! – mary
Okay. I’m gonna try this one. Looks soooo good. Love all the apple things we have been baking.
Good thing Nancy remembers all these.
I love last minute, simple recipes like this one. They are always reliable and delicious 🙂
Yum! Your cake looks so yummy. I recently made apple cake with French Fridays with Dorie but mine was more custard like then cake. Yours looks like a nice balance of apples and cake.
P.S. My recipes are scattered everywhere…various scraps of paper in various file folders, on the computer, in my head and post it notes in cookbooks…and I still have trouble finding what I want to make. 😉
This looks like the best use of extra apples that I’ve ever seen! Fortunately, I won’t have a problem finding the recipe because I usually check here first when looking for something yummy to bake.
Whoa – this cake looks amazing Tracey. Super elegant and of course super delicious. I may need to make this beauty for my family’s Thanksgiving dinner.
Looking Tasty.
Thanks for share i want to try to taste it.
This sounds delicious. Definitely a fall favourite
What a beautiful cake. Looks delicious.
Very nice buttermilk cake, a recipe I know I don’t have in my file. thanks so much!
I didn’t expect to like this cake as much as I did. A great combination of fall flavors and, I agree, best when warmed slightly.
Thanks for sharing it with us!
Yum! It looks so good I decided to make it this morning to take to work for breakfast. Haven’t tasted it yet, but the whole house smells delicious. =)
Hmmm. I was thinking of making an apple cake for a special event coming up this week…I have a feeling some of the people there would like this one!! 🙂
I just all (or most) of the systems you mention, but I still can never find the recipes I know I’ve seen somewhere. I’m tempted to be seriously geeky and make a big spreadsheet.
Looking forward to meeting you!
That’s a beautiful cake… Looks like it would be perfect with a cup of coffee for breakfast.
I’m on an apple baking spree. This one looks awesome 🙂
P.S – I’m super organised with the recipes, but I still have trouble finding them sometimes!!
This apple cake is so delicious! I just made it this morning and am now having a warm slice with a bit of cool whip on top! Yummy! Thanks for posting!
Have a wonderful day!!
Diane~
Made it, loved it, posted it! Thanks for the inspiration, Tracey…