A Southern Grace: indefinably delicious

January 12, 2017

indefinably delicious

Yum

I've made a cake that's decadent yet light, sweet yet balanced, and totally devourable.


The only problem is that I just can't think of a good name for it.

The recipe on which this cake is based labelled it an apple fritter cake, but to me, that's misleading. There's really nothing fritter-like about this baked cake, save the glaze. It's composed in layers of cake batter, apple filling, and cinnamon sugar, but as it bakes, those layers merge to create an incredibly fluffy, tasty, and tempting snack.


Living in Charlotte has its perks (and its drawbacks...don't get me started on the traffic!)--my city was selected to try the all-new Pazazz apple, a winter apple variety descended from the popular Honeycrisp. It's only available during the months of January and February, while supplies last. I was very excited to sample these apples, and they delivered in every way! Their unique sweet-tart flavor was a pleasure to eat out of hand, and they were perfect for this cake.


Bonus: The excellent moniker of these apples provides me with a great name for the cake!

Pazazz Apple Cake
(printable recipe)
Ingredients:
Filling:
  • 2 cups chopped Pazazz apples (about 2 medium)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons water
Topping:
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Cake:
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
Glaze:
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Make the filling:
In a medium saucepan combine apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and water.
Heat over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until apples soften and liquid thickens. Set aside to cool.
Make the topping:
Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
Make the cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x13-inch pan with non-stick spray.
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar, about 3 minutes until fluffy.
Add applesauce, vanilla, and eggs and mix on medium until combined.
In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Add the dry mixture and the Greek yogurt or sour cream in alternating parts, starting and ending with the dry.
Mix until just combined.
Spread 1/2 of the cake batter onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
Top with the apple mixture, spreading carefully to cover the batter.
Next add 2/3 of the brown sugar mixture, sprinkling all over the apple mixture.
Cover with the remaining batter and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar all over the top.
Bake 35-40 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set.
Make the glaze:
While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a medium bowl.
Stir until no clumps remain.
When the cake is done, immediately poke holes in the cake using a butter knife, about 40 pokes.
Pour the glaze over the top of the cake spreading to cover it completely.
Let the glaze set up for about 20 minutes before serving.

Serves 12-16

16 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

I love how tender and soft the crumb is...simply yum!

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

Whatever you end up deciding to call your cake, I know that it is a delicious one. :)

lisa is cooking said...

This looks like an excellent snacking cake! And, I love the name for that apple.

Barbara said...

Honestly, it looks as though its going to float away! Smart girl to serve with ice cream. Yum!

Marjie said...

Almost like you stuffed an apple pie into a cake! It looks terrific, Grace.

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

Devourable sounds right! What a great recipe for a new apple :)

Gingi said...

This looks super delicious!!! Must try! <3 - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

Adina said...

I sometimes have difficulties in finding the right name for a recipe as well... especially when I am cooking Romanian or German recipes that have such good names in the original language, and I just can't find anything suitable for a good translation. But in the end is the taste that matters. Your cake looks really comforting and delicious, I am crazy about apple cakes.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

The name of fritter really does suggest something else but this is no less delicious. I wonder if we get any of these apple varieties but with different names!

Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder said...

I think Pazazz is a perfect name for it! What a fun apple name

Kate @ Framed Cooks said...

Well, I think Pazazz is the PERFECT name for this delectable NC cake! We love your neck of the woods - my daughter lives right outside of Raleigh! :)

Pam said...

Pazazz works perfectly! Honeycrisp apples are the best so this one has to be great and I'd love to sample it in this cake! Your cake looks better than delicious, Grace! Thanks for the info on the apple and the recipe!

Pam said...

Yum! My kids love apple cake and yours looks delicious. I've never seen Pazazz apples - I'll be on the lookout.

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

This looks delicious Grace! I have always thought that the world needs more apple cakes!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

This cake looks fantastic! Pinning to try after our apple picking adventure this year. That's super cool that you got to try those new apples. We sort of love apples and love trying all different kinds.

Gloria Baker said...

Absolutely love this apple cake!!