Apple Cinnamon Cake

I made this cake for Bart’s birthday this year. We loved the lightly spiced cake with chunks of apples—it is a perfect fall dessert. The cake makes three very thin layers if baked in 9-inch round cake pans—perfect for a nice thick layer of buttercream between each layer. If you prefer thicker layers, try baking it in only 2 pans instead of 3.

3 ¾ cups (16 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (8 ounces; 2 sticks) unsalted butter
3 cups (21 ounces) packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup (8 ounces) unsweetened applesauce
2 apples, peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the bottoms and sides of the pans (2 or 3 nine-inch round pans) with melted butter and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cloves. Set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Set the mixer to low speed and add the eggs, one at a time, scraping thoroughly after each addition.

Alternately add the flour mixture and the applesauce to the butter mixture in three batches, starting with the flour. Scrape down the bowl after each addition and beat until thoroughly combined. Set the mixer to medium speed for about 20 seconds, then stop and scrape the sides of the bowl.

Add the apples and stir them in just until they are incorporated.

Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans (total batter weight is approximately 1980 grams). Bake about 30 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool for 20 minutes. Once the cake is cool, release it from its pan by running a metal spatula or knife along the sides of the pan. Flip the cake over onto another pan or cake board and peel away the layer of parchment.

Recipe Source: Confetti Cakes for Kids