This lightly spiced apple cake is the perfect dessert for that transition into fall. Made with sourdough discard and homemade cream cheese frosting.
September has arrived! While I can feel the anticipation of seasons changing, I’m not quite ready for all things fall just yet. I find myself ready to put up all the fall decor and start transitioning to soups and other hearty winter foods. On the other hand, the weather is reminding me that there is more summer to be enjoyed. My summer flowers are still thriving, tomatoes are still ripening on the vine, and the fall air has not hit us just yet.
This spiced sourdough apple cake was just the introduction to fall that I needed. Made with sourdough discard, this cake is moist, sweet-scented, and has a delightful flavor.
Apple season is here, so what better way to enjoy that sweet and tart apple flavor than in a decadent apple cake.
After picking apples last year, we came home with our bags overflowing with apples. This is one of the recipes I used to use up some of our fresh apples. Now with the addition of sourdough discard, the flavor and texture changed my whole outlook on this recipe.
If you don’t have your own sourdough starter see my post on All Things Sourdough Starter on how to start your own. You can also check out some of my other sourdough discard recipes below. I love the flavor sourdough discard adds with little to no effort.
- Everyday Muffins with Sourdough Discard
- Sourdough Discard Crackers
- Double Chocolate Sourdough Cookies
- Sourdough Discard Sandwich Bread
Why Sourdough with Cake?
I have said it before, and I will say it again. Sourdough adds such a unique flavor to recipes. There is a depth of flavor that just cannot be matched. Adding sourdough to cake mixes also makes the cake moist and tender. Bringing sourdough discard to all my dessert recipes in on my list. There is a noticeable difference in texture, taste, and shelf life when I use it.
Cake Tips
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting the cake. Frosting too early will result in your icing getting too warm and melting.
- Double the cake recipe and icing for a larger, or stacked cake.
- Grease the pan well to prevent sticking.
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Tools
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with non-stick spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and baking soda.
3. Add the eggs, sugar, milk, applesauce, sourdough discard, and oil. Mix until just combined.
Pour the batter into the pan.
4. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes. Let cool completely.
5. Once the cake is cooled, remove the cake from the pan and top with frosting. Then enjoy!
Storage
The spiced sourdough apple cake can be stored in two ways. Frosted or unfrosted. If storing the cake unfrosted, the sourdough apple cake can be left out on the counter, covered in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.
If storing the cake with frosting, it is best to keep it covered in the fridge. The cake should last 3-4 days.
Making a Cream Cheese Frosting
While you could easily buy a jar of cream cheese frosting at the store, I challenge you to follow this simple frosting recipe. You won’t regret it! This homemade cream cheese frosting added just the right amount of sweetness to the spiced apple flavor.
Ingredients
4 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup of butter (softened)
1 tsp. of vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
Simply mix together all ingredients with a hand mixer until creamy and smooth. Then spread over the cake. This recipe could easily be doubled.
Variations
Double the recipe and make two 9″ cakes to stack with cream cheese frosting in the middle.
Make the batter into cupcakes. Follow the same instructions, just pour in to paper lined muffin tin. Bake cupcakes for 18-22 minutes.
I hope you enjoy this flavorful spiced sourdough apple cake recipe with sourdough discard as much as we do. Leave me a comment and a picture below if you give this yummy fall treat a try. You can also follow along with our other baking and homemaking projects on the following socials.
Check out more of my sourdough and homemaking recipes here:
Recipe
This lightly spiced apple cake is the perfect dessert for that transition into fall. Made with sourdough discard and homemade cream cheese frosting.
Cook Time: 40-45 mins. Prep Time: 5-10 mins.
Makes: 1 9-inch cake Author: Elizabeth Loveday
Ingredients: For the Cake:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tbsp. ginger
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 buttermilk, or yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 1/3 cup neutral oil
- 1/2 cup sourdough discard.
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with non-stick spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and baking soda.
3. Add the eggs, sugar, milk, applesauce, discard, and oil. Mix until just combined. Pour the batter into the pan.
4. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes. Let cool completely.
5. Once the cake is cooled, remove the cake from the pan and top with frosting. Then enjoy!
Ingredients: For the Frosting:
- 4 oz. cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup of butter (softened)
- 1 tsp. of vanilla
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Simple mix together all ingredients with a hand mixer until creamy and smooth. Then spread over the cake.
Over Easy Homestead 
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