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Let’s talk about fall. I’m just glad it has officially arrived, anyone with me on this? I’m done with 100-degree heat, I want to turn my oven on and bake something so my kitchen smells like fall. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the seasons but the smells of apples, pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar and all those good things that say fall is what I am craving right now.
Baking in a cast iron skillet is one of my favorite methods for making rustic cakes and this Maple Apple Skillet Cake is definitely rustic. Don’t have a cast iron skillet? No problem! Use an 8″ cake pan and you will still get a perfectly moist and yummy cake.
Here are some other goodies to bake in an iron skillet
- Brownies
- Cornbread
- A Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Cobblers
- Upside Down Cakes
- Pies
Now that we’ve covered skillets, let’s talk apples. I’m curious, what are your favorite apples to bake with? When I bake with apples I usually mix sweet and tart together because I like the contrasting flavors. For this cake, I used Gravenstein, which are really tart, and Pink lady for their sweet aromatic flavor. Together they have a great balance.
Gravenstein apples are unique and have a short season, so you can only get them for a couple of months. I had my first Gravenstein in Sebastopol, California. Unfortunately (for us apple lovers anyway), the Gravenstein orchards are being taken over by vineyards (wine lovers rejoice!). You won’t find these apples in a store since they don’t travel well, so when I find this variety I have to buy a big bag.
If you can’t find Gravenstein apples near you, try another tart apple variety in this cake. Granny Smiths or Cameo apples work particularly well.
There is so much to like about this cake. First off, it tastes fabulous. It’s tender, mildly sweet, and topped with fresh apples that have the perfect hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. All those wonderful fall flavors!
It’s also so easy to make. Simply mix your batter, no mixer required, and pour it in the skillet. And the best part, you do not even have to peel the apples! Nope, leave those peels on for some color. Just slice the apples fairly thin and mix with maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, toss and place on top of the cake batter.
So get those ovens turned on! Summer has gone on long enough. It’s time to get your kitchen smelling like fall again and this is the recipe to make that happen.
Maple Apple Skillet Cake
Ingredients
Apple Ingredients
- 3-4 medium sized apples, sliced If your apples are large 2 will cover the batter
- 3 tbs. maple syrup
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. `salt
Cake Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups AP flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2/3 cup milk, warmed
- 6 tbls. melted butter
- 3 tbls. maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8" iron skillet or an 8" cake pan.
Preparing the Apples
- Core and slice the apples and place in a medium-sized bowl. Slice the apples on the thinner side.
- Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and maple syrup to the apples, stir to combine.
Making the Cake
- Place the flour, baking powered and salt in a medium-sized bowl, stir to combine.
- Combine the warm milk, melted butter, beaten egg, and maple syrup then add to the flour mixture. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared skillet or pan.
- Lay the apples on top of the cake batter in a circular pattern. Depending on the size of your apples if you have some that do not fit in the skillet, freeze for later.
- If there is syrup in the bottom of the bowl you can spoon some of it on top of the apples, 1 - 2 tablespoons.
- Bake the cake for about 45-50 minutes until it is browned on top and a cake tester comes out clean from the batter.
- Let cool then slice and serve from the skillet or pan.
“There is so much to love about this Maple Apple Skillet Cake “
Right out of the oven and it looks and smells like cake heaven. I love how the batter bakes up around the apples.
My favorite way to serve this cake is with French Vanilla ice cream and a hot cup of Oolong tea.
See that slice of cake on the plate with that baby scoop of ice cream? Of course, you could also cut yourself a nice big slice of cake and a double scoop of ice cream instead, and then find yourself a nice cozy place and sit and enjoy your cake. After all, fall only comes once a year.
Here’s my favorite Spiced Apple Cider Oatmeal Bread recipe in case you need more baking inspiration.
Do you need a cast iron skillet? This Lodge 8″ iron skillet is my favorite. I love the size and use it for baking and frying with great results. Pure maple syrup has a light caramel flavor that’s not too sweet and adds just the right flavor to this cake.
If you do invest in a cast iron, I have a handy guide on how to season your new skillet so it cooks perfectly.
Don’t forget to pin for later when you have a cake craving ~
Jori says
November 7, 2018 at 7:59 pmI’ve never tried baking in a cast iron skillet and this looks like a great one to try. That cake looks super fluffy and yummy.
Sherri says
November 7, 2018 at 7:28 pmI agree that fall definitely has the best flavors. And even though I don’t prefer cold weather, I do love baking and cooking on chilly fall days and nights. This cake looks so perfect and those apples on top are absolutely heavenly! Gorgeous!
Jere Cassidy says
November 11, 2018 at 9:39 pmThanks for the kind comments. The apples are scrumptious.
Danielle says
November 7, 2018 at 7:12 pmI agree, this would be so perfect with some French Vanilla ice cream and tea! Looks so tasty!
Ben Myhre says
November 7, 2018 at 6:08 pmA skillet cake… huh, What a great idea and it helps that it looks so dang tasty.
Chef Mireille says
October 9, 2018 at 6:06 pmI love cooking and bacon in a cast iron skillet. Cornbread never tastes the same unless made in a cast iron!
Stephanie Simmons says
October 8, 2018 at 3:55 pmOh my gosh – this looks so perfect! Now I know what to do with this HUGE pile of apples we have left from apple picking!
Catherine Brown says
October 8, 2018 at 7:51 amSkillet cakes are fantastic! I haven’t made one in a while and we still have lots of apples from our apple picking excursion, so this is excellent timing!
Chef and Steward says
October 7, 2018 at 5:15 pmThis is gorgeous and practical, great for tea time and so seasonal! Really love this idea. Will be bookmarking to do soon!,
Mirlene says
October 7, 2018 at 5:57 amSo glad fall is here and we can finally enjoy these delicious apples and cinnamon flavors. this would be a perfect recipe for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing!
Karyl Henry says
October 5, 2018 at 9:07 pmOh this skillet cake looks divine! I usually only buy apples to eat, but this is inspiring me to break out my skillet and make this skillet cake. I’m saving this one for sure
Adriana Lopez Martin says
October 4, 2018 at 10:39 pmWow, I just got a gift of an iron skillet that was sent by a friend, and I have not used it just yet. I need to make this recipe of yours looks very simple and so good besides I love apples too!
Amanda says
October 4, 2018 at 6:03 pmI’m ready for fall baking, and this looks so good! I love anything in a cast iron skillet. It’s so festive. Looking forward to trying this!
Michelle says
October 4, 2018 at 11:47 amCould this be any more perfect for the fall?? I love it and will have to try it
Gloria says
October 2, 2018 at 2:03 pmThis dessert is calling my name. I LOVE apple season, and cooking in cast iron. I usually have to make 2 desserts for Thanksgiving. This looks like the alternative to pumpkin pie!!
Stine Mari says
October 2, 2018 at 9:11 amThat cake looks so fluffy and delicious – I’d love a slice right now. I usually just use apples from gardens from friends, so I don’t know what kind they are. But I love to use one sweet kind and one tart, I think that they complement each other wonderfully.
Kelly Anthony says
October 2, 2018 at 6:19 amI can’t wait to make this and fill my home with the smells of apples and cinnamon. This cake is beautiful and will be perfect to share with family and friends.
Deryn says
October 1, 2018 at 5:32 pmI’ve never baked in a skillet but it sounds wonderful. I wonder if the cake would work with a flax or chia seed egg? Sounds delicious!
Claudia Lamascolo says
September 25, 2018 at 3:14 amwhat a perfect fall cake and in a skillet that is brilliant I bet this is comfort cake with all those apples and maple
Jere Cassidy says
September 28, 2018 at 1:24 pmIt is a comforting cake recipe. I have made twice already.
Jacqueline Debono says
September 25, 2018 at 2:06 amI love autumn flavours too and apples are my favourite autumn dessert fruit! This cake looks divine and seems easy to make. Def want to try it!
Jere Cassidy says
September 28, 2018 at 1:25 pmHope you try the cake. It is good!
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
September 24, 2018 at 10:04 pmI have never thought of baking in a skillet before, that is such a brilliant idea. I do love the idea of serving straight from it on to the table. your apple skillet cake looks sensational!
Natalie says
September 24, 2018 at 9:29 pmI love apple cakes! This one looks so delicious and the combination with maple is simply perfect for Fall!
Jere Cassidy says
September 28, 2018 at 1:27 pmI love apples and maple and these two ingredients are great together in this cake.
Jillian says
September 24, 2018 at 8:40 pmFall has my favorite flavors – apples, pumpkin and cinnamon! So this apple cake is definitely a fall favorite!