Ingredients:

  • 2 large apples (about 300g / 10.5 oz), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice/vinegar)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional topping)
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional topping)

Instructions:

  1. Peel, core, and dice apples into small chunks. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour the cake pan or line with parchment paper.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
  6. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
  7. Gently fold the diced apples into the batter.
  8. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon topping if desired.
  9. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
  10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.