Description
A warm and cozy skillet cake featuring nutty brown butter, sweet-tart apples, cinnamon spice, and a drizzle of vanilla glaze. Perfect for an easy yet impressive dessert or breakfast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (85g)
- 2 medium apples (about 300g), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150g)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup milk (80ml), whole or 2%
- 1 cup powdered sugar (120g) for glaze
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for glaze
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (30-45ml) for glaze
Instructions
- Brown the butter: Melt butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until it turns deep golden-brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the apples: Peel and dice apples into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss with 1 tablespoon sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, remaining sugar, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk egg, milk, vanilla extract, and cooled brown butter including browned bits.
- Make the batter: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Fold in the sugared apples, reserving a few pieces for topping.
- Bake the cake: Spread batter evenly in the skillet and arrange reserved apple pieces on top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Prepare the vanilla glaze: While cake cools for 10 minutes, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to make a smooth, pourable glaze.
- Serve: Drizzle glaze over warm cake and serve straight from the skillet. Optionally serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
Brown the butter slowly over medium heat and stir constantly to avoid burning. Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender. Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best texture and flavor. Adjust glaze consistency by adding milk or powdered sugar as needed. Cast iron skillet helps create a crisp crust but a heavy oven-safe skillet can be used. Cake can be made ahead and reheated gently with fresh glaze added before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the cake
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: brown butter, apple cake, cinnamon, skillet cake, vanilla glaze, easy dessert, fall recipe, cozy dessert