This Brown Butter Apple Bundt Cake is the perfect treat to welcome fall or enjoy any time of the year! It's packed with warm spices, tender apples, and a nutty, rich flavor from the browned butter. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this show-stopping cake that’s easier to make than you might think.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This isn't just any apple cake; it's a Brown Butter Apple Bundt Cake that brings together the best flavors and textures. The browned butter adds a depth of flavor you won’t find in other recipes, creating a delightful nutty taste that complements the sweet apples and warm spices perfectly. The bundt shape makes it beautiful and easy to slice, plus the cake stays incredibly moist thanks to the apples and brown butter. It's a comforting, flavorful, and visually stunning dessert that everyone will love. And If you're looking for a delightful alternative, consider trying a spiced apple cake recipe for a similar flavor profile but with different spices.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan:
Generously grease and flour a 10-12 cup bundt pan. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies to prevent the cake from sticking. You can also use baking spray with flour for this step.
2. Brown the Butter:
In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns a golden-brown color and has a nutty aroma. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Watch it carefully, as it can burn quickly. Pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl and let it cool slightly.
3. Whisk Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This ensures that all the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.
4. Cream Sugars and Butter:
In a separate large bowl, cream together the cooled browned butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
5. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
6. Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake.
7. Fold in Apples:
Gently fold in the diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8. Pour into Pan:
Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and spread it evenly.
9. Bake the Cake:
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool the Cake:
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cake release from the pan without breaking.
11. Dust with Powdered Sugar (optional):
Once the cake is completely cool, dust it with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.
Serving Suggestions
This Brown Butter Apple Bundt Cake is delicious on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm spices and apple flavors make it a perfect dessert for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, or even a cozy Sunday brunch. For an extra touch, you can drizzle it with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or apple cider. It also makes a great edible gift, especially during the holiday season. You might want to try caramel apple bundt cake for another equally delicious flavor combination.
Storage and Reheating
To store your Brown Butter Apple Bundt Cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you refrigerate it, let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. To reheat individual slices, you can microwave them for a few seconds or warm them in a toaster oven.
Key Details
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Servings: 12-16 slices
Required Equipment:
- 10-12 cup bundt pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Saucepan
- Wire rack
Brown Butter Apple Bundt Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 cups peeled and diced apples such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Generously grease and flour a 10-12 cup bundt pan. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies to prevent the cake from sticking. You can also use baking spray with flour for this step.
- Brown the Butter: In a light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns a golden-brown color and has a nutty aroma. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Watch it carefully, as it can burn quickly. Pour the browned butter into a heatproof bowl and let it cool slightly.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This ensures that all the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.
- Cream Sugars and Butter: In a separate large bowl, cream together the cooled browned butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake the Cake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cake release from the pan without breaking.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar (optional): Once the cake is completely cool, dust it with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.
