This Apple Honey Cake is a sweet treat that brings a warm, cozy feel to any gathering. With juicy apples and a touch of honey, it’s packed with flavor!
Baking this cake fills the house with a delicious smell that makes everyone want a slice. I love having it with tea for a delightful afternoon snack! 🍏🍯
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Apples: Use a sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp or Gala for the best flavor. If you want more tartness, go for Granny Smith. They hold their shape well when baked, giving a nice texture to the cake.
Honey: Honey adds great sweetness and moisture. If you’re looking for a vegan option, agave syrup or maple syrup will also work well in place of honey.
Butter: I used unsalted butter for a creamier taste. If you’re dairy-free, consider coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute. Just melt it first for easier mixing!
Yogurt/Sour Cream: For a tangy flavor, I recommend using plain yogurt. You can also swap it for buttermilk or a dairy-free yogurt alternative if you need it to be dairy-free.
How Do You Achieve a Beautifully Glazed Finish?
Brushing the cake with honey after baking gives it a lovely shine. Here’s how to do it successfully:
- Warm the remaining honey slightly—it makes it easier to brush on.
- Use a pastry brush and gently coat the top of the still-warm cake. This will create a shiny, appealing finish and enhances the honey flavor.
With these tips and insights, your Apple Honey Cake will be the star of any gathering! Enjoy baking!
How to Make Apple Honey Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 3 large apples (peeled, cored, and halved)
- 1/2 cup honey (plus 2 tbsp for glaze)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Apple Honey Cake takes about 15 minutes to prep and 45-55 minutes to bake. After baking, you’ll want to let it cool for about 10 minutes. For the best flavor, allow the cake to cool completely before serving, which will take about another hour. In total, plan for about 2 hours from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 9-inch round cake pan and grease it with butter or non-stick spray. Dust the pan with a little flour to ensure easy removal later. This is important for the lovely presentation of your cake!
2. Arrange the Apples:
In a small saucepan, warm 2 tablespoons of honey until it becomes runny. Brush this honey over the base and sides of your prepared cake pan. Next, work quickly to arrange the apple halves cut side down in a circular pattern at the bottom of the pan. If you like, use a fork to make fun grooves on the apple halves for presentation!
3. Mix Your Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. Whisk these together to combine; this step helps ensure even mixing throughout the cake. Set this bowl aside for now.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the softened butter with sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this takes about 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the remaining 1/2 cup honey and vanilla extract until fully combined.
5. Combine and Mix:
Now it’s time to add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture! Do this slowly, alternating with the yogurt (or sour cream). Start with a third of the dry mix, then add half the yogurt, and repeat until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix—it’s okay if a few flour streaks remain!
6. Pour the Batter:
Gently pour the batter over the arranged apples in the pan, making sure it’s spread evenly. This will create a beautiful top layer once inverted!
7. Bake the Cake:
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. Keep an eye on it and do the toothpick test—insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, you’re good to go!
8. Cool and Invert:
Once it’s finished baking, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate so the apples are now on top—this part is so rewarding!
9. Glaze for Shine:
While the cake is still warm, brush the top with the remaining honey. This creates a lovely glossy finish and infuses a little extra sweetness.
10. Time to Serve!
Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy a lovely slice with a cup of tea or coffee! This moist and flavorful Apple Honey Cake is sure to bring smiles and warmth to your table. Happy baking!
Can I Use Different Types of Apples?
Absolutely! For the best flavor and texture, try using a mix of sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Fujis, or Granny Smith. Each type brings its unique taste to the cake!
Can I Make This Cake Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the cake a day in advance! Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature. The flavors will develop even more overnight!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For extended freshness, you can refrigerate it for about a week. Just remember to bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
What Can I Substitute for Honey?
If you’re looking for a substitute for honey, agave syrup or maple syrup works well! Just keep in mind it may slightly change the flavor, but it still will be delicious!
Apple Honey Cake
A cozy upside-down style apple honey cake with tender apples on top, a moist honey-sweetened crumb, and a glossy honey glaze that makes every slice shine.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 3 large apples (peeled, cored, and halved)
- 1/2 cup honey (plus 2 tbsp for glaze)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter or non-stick spray, then dust lightly with flour so the cake releases easily after baking.
- Warm 2 tablespoons of the honey in a small saucepan or in the microwave until fluid. Brush the warm honey over the base and up the sides of the prepared pan. Arrange the apple halves cut-side down in a circular pattern on the bottom of the pan, nestling them closely together.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with a hand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup honey and the vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two to three additions, alternating with the yogurt or sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined so you don’t overwork the batter.
- Carefully pour the batter over the apples in the pan, spreading it into an even layer so all the apples are covered. Gently tap the pan on the counter once or twice to help release any air bubbles.
- Bake the cake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then place a serving plate over the pan and carefully invert so the cake releases and the apples are now on top.
- While the cake is still warm, brush the top with the remaining honey to create a shiny glaze. Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving with tea or coffee.
Notes
Use a sweet-tart baking apple like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith. A mix of varieties gives great flavor and texture.
This cake can be made a day ahead and stored, covered, at room temperature. The flavors deepen as it rests.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for about a week. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
If you need to swap the honey, agave or maple syrup will work, but the flavor will shift slightly depending on what you use.