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Heirloom Apple Cranberry Cake

This apple cake combines unexpected spices and citrus zest, creating a fragrant and moist crumb with a crunchy caramelized crust. It uses a blend of heirloom apple varieties for depth and a tender texture that contrasts with its crisp edges, finished with a crackling top that reveals its inside layers.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon citrus zest lemon or orange
  • 3 cups heirloom apples peeled, cored, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries optional, adds tartness
  • 1 cup brown sugar for caramelized crust

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Loaf Pan or Cake Pan
  • Knife
  • Peeler or Grater

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease your cake or loaf pan. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger until evenly combined. This creates the dry base for your batter.
  3. Pour the melted butter into the dry mixture and stir until the mixture starts to clump together, resembling coarse crumbs.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with vanilla extract and citrus zest until well combined and slightly frothy.
  5. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula, just until combined. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
  6. Carefully fold in the chopped heirloom apples and cranberries, distributing evenly without overmixing to keep the batter tender.
  7. Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, spreading it out smoothly with the spatula. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the top for a caramelized crust.
  8. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, gently transfer to a wire rack to cool completely; the crust will crackle delightfully as it cools.
  10. Slice the cake once cooled, revealing a moist crumb with a pleasantly crunchy top. Serve plain or dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a dollop of whipped cream when serving. Using a mix of different heirloom apples enhances complexity, but any baking apples will do.