cake

Bready or Not: Apple Fritter Cake

Posted by on May 7, 2025 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | 0 comments

I have many different kinds of apple cake here on Bready or Not. This Apple Fritter Cake is special because it tastes like the luscious apple fritters found in donut shops and bakeries!

Bready or Not: Apple Fritter Cake

This is not a thick cake. The crumb is really there to hold a lot of apple pieces together. The use of apple butter versus applesauce adds a deeper color and richer flavor.

Bready or Not: Apple Fritter Cake

Then there is, of course, the icing. That’s essential to make this cake like the pastry. It adds sweetness and a delicate crunch that’s fast to melt in the mouth.

Bready or Not: Apple Fritter Cake

Really, I look at this as a special occasion kind of apple cake, something for a birthday, special guest, or date.

Bready or Not: Apple Fritter Cake

This Apple Fritter Cake really does taste like a cake version of the donut shop treat! Modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine September/October 2024.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple, cake
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • 8×8 pan
  • aluminum foil
  • nonstick spray or butter

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups crisp baking apples diced and divided (232 grams) (use apples like Honeycrisp, State Fair, or Kindercrisp)
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg white
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt or sour cream or crème fraiche
  • 1/3 cup apple butter
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons half & half

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 with foil and apply butter or nonstick spray.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add 1 1/2 cups of the diced apples. Toss to coat.
  • In a big mixing bowl, beat the brown sugar, egg, and egg white until light and fluffy. Mix in the melted butter, yogurt, apple butter, lemon juice, and vanilla. Fold in the dry ingredients, making sure to scrape the bottom, until everything is just combined.
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan. Smooth out top. Sprinkle on the remaining 1/2 cup of apple pieces.
  • Bake until browned, with the middle passing the toothpick test, about 45 to 55 minutes.
  • Cool completely before mixing the glaze. Drizzle it all over the top. Serve warmed or at room temperature. Individual slices can also be frozen for later enjoyment.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not EXTRA CHEESY: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

    Posted by on Apr 30, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, cheese galore | 0 comments

    Welcome to the last installment of our special month of Bready or Not. My cheese-centric cozy mystery Cheddar Luck Next Time just came out a few weeks ago, so we’re celebrating with another cheesy recipe from the Bready or Not archives.

    This week’s feature is Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake. Only right to end things with cake, right?

    Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

    This stunning Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake is gorgeous and delicious, and will win over even people (like me) who are not big coconut fans. The cake ends up being chewy, but not too chewy; sweet, but not cloying. Really, this is great as a breakfast, brunch, or dessert cake.

    Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

    Serve this as cake alone, or like with any pound cake, it would be lovely alongside fresh fruit.

    Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

    Please grab a copy of Cheddar Luck Next Time, which features an autistic (like me!) lead character with a passion for cheese (like me!).

    Cheddar Luck Next Time

    Amazon: paperback | ebook (affiliate links)
    Barnes & Noble: paperback & ebook
    Bookshop: paperback

    Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

    This easy-to-make bundt cake creates a gorgeous and delicious cake that is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: bundt cake, cake, cream cheese
    Author: Beth Cato

    Ingredients

    Cake

    • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, room temperature
    • 8 ounces cream cheese 1 box, room temperature
    • 3 cups white sugar
    • 6 large eggs room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups shredded coconut

    Glaze

    • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
    • 2-3 Tablespoons milk
    • extra shredded coconut

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven at 325-degrees. Coat a 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick spray or butter.
    • In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
    • Add eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. Gradually mix in the flour until just combined, then fold in the coconut.
    • Pour batter into pan and distribute evenly. Bake for 75 to 80 minutes, until it passes the toothpick test.
    • Cool pan for 20 minutes, then invert the cake onto a wire rack to completely cool. Move to a plate or cake platter.
    • To make the glaze, stir together the confectioners’ sugar and milk to form a smooth yet thick consistency. Pour or spoon glaze over the top, then sprinkle with additional coconut.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not Original: Raspberry Frangipane Loaf Cake

      Posted by on Nov 6, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Raspberry Frangipane Loaf Cake

      This Raspberry Frangipane takes a little work, but the result is gorgeous and absolutely delicious. This is a great special occasion treat–and it’s easy to make a day ahead!

      Bready or Not Original: Raspberry Frangipane Loaf Cake

      Layer cakes get a lot of the attention and fuss, but I think loaf cakes need more love. They can be stunning, too. This one certainly is. It contains homemade frangipane, one of my favorite things, and is convenient to make year-round by using frozen raspberries.

      Bready or Not Original: Raspberry Frangipane Loaf Cake

      As this loaf does involve some labor, I found it simplified things to prepare it over two days. Day 1: make frangipane and chill it. Day 2: make loaf and glaze. Day 3: serve to my husband’s co-workers.

      Bready or Not Original: Raspberry Frangipane Loaf Cake

      I found the cake kept beautifully, wrapped, for up to 4 days after baking.

      Bready or Not Original: Raspberry Frangipane Loaf Cake

      This luscious loaf cake is fantastic to make ahead of time for a stunning breakfast or brunch.
      Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
      Keyword: almond, cake, loaf cake, raspberries
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • 8×4 loaf pan
      • parchment paper
      • nonstick spray
      • kitchen shears

      Ingredients

      Frangipane

      • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) room temperature
      • 1/2 cup almond flour sifted
      • 1/4 cup white sugar
      • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
      • 1 large egg white
      • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

      Batter

      • 1 1/4 cups frozen raspberries
      • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) room temperature
      • 1 cup white sugar
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
      • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour plus 1 Tablespoon
      • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
      • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 1/2 cup full-fat vanilla Greek yogurt or plain Greek yogurt
      • 2 Tablespoons sliced almonds

      Glaze

      • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
      • 1 Tablespoon half & half or milk
      • 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla

      Instructions

      Frangipane

      • Frangipane can be made immediately before the batter or prepared a day in advance.
      • In a medium bowl, stir butter until creamy. Add almond flour, sugar, all-purpose flour, egg white, salt, and almond extract. Stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap pressed to the top, and place in fridge until ready to use.

      Loaf

      • Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Cut parchment paper to fit inside an 8×4 loaf pan like a sling extended up both long sides. Spray inside of pan with nonstick spray, then spray parchment.
      • Use kitchen shears to break frozen raspberries into pieces of various size, measuring out 1 1/4 cup total. Stash raspberries back in freezer until ready to use.
      • In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time followed by the extracts.
      • In another bowl, sift together the 1 3/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet, mixing alternatively with the yogurt. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is combined.
      • Fold the frangipane into the batter.
      • Pull out the raspberries. Toss them with the remaining tablespoon of flour. Set aside 1/4 of coated berries for the top; fold the rest of the berries into the batter.
      • Spread batter in prepared pan, evening out the top. Sprinkle reserved raspberries on top, followed by the sliced almonds.
      • Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Continue to bake until the top is golden and the inside registers an interior temperature over 200 degrees, which will be about another 40 minutes. (Total baking time will be between 55 minutes and 1 hour 5 minutes.) If the loaf is looking brown early on, cover with a small piece of foil.
      • Let cool in pan about 20 minutes, then use the parchment sling to lift the loaf onto a rack to completely cool.

      Glaze

      • Once the loaf is completely cool, mix the glaze. It should be fairly thick; add a touch more confectioners’ sugar if needed. Drizzle over loaf so that the top is covered with glaze dripping down the sides.
      • Give the glaze at least 30 minutes to set before cutting into the loaf, or wrap loaf to serve later or the next day. Loaf will keep well, wrapped at room temperature, for up to 4 days.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Maple Bundt Cake with Maple Icing

        Posted by on Sep 18, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, maple | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Maple Bundt Cake with Maple Icing

        Yes, it’s time for yet another maple cake on Bready or Not! This time, a straightforward Maple Bundt Cake with Maple Icing. Delicious cake, plain and simple.

        Bready or Not: Maple Bundt Cake with Maple Icing

        This recipe uses both maple syrup and maple flavor. I feel that both are really necessary here. Really, if you love maple, maple flavor is great to have around. It stays good forever. If you need recipes that use it, well, I think I have dozens of them here on my site.

        Bready or Not: Maple Bundt Cake with Maple Icing

        This is the kind of cake that works well for a breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s deliciously versatile like that.

        Bready or Not: Maple Bundt Cake with Maple Icing

        Bready or Not: Maple Bundt Cake with Maple Icing

        This classic bundt cake is infused with maple flavor inside and out. It’s fantastic for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
        Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
        Keyword: bundt cake, cake, maple
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • large bundt pan (12 cups/10 inches)
        • nonstick spray
        • baking sheet

        Ingredients

        Cake

        • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) room temperature
        • 1 cup white sugar
        • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
        • 4 large eggs room temperature
        • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1 teaspoon baking powder
        • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
        • 1/2 cup half & half or milk
        • 1/2 teaspoon maple flavor

        Icing

        • 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
        • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
        • 2 Tablespoons half & half or milk

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Place a baking sheet inside to warm up. Apply nonstick spray to coat the interior of a large bundt pan.
        • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar, scraping down the bowl a few times to make sure everything is mixed. Continue to beat until it becomes light and fluffy. Add the maple syrup followed by the eggs, one at a time.
        • In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the main bowl, interspersing it with the addition of the half & half. Add the maple flavor. Once everything is added, scrape the bottom of the bowl.
        • Scoop the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
        • Place the bundt pan atop the hot baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes, until a toothpick plunged into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
        • Let cake rest in pan for 20 minutes, then invert it onto a rack to cool completely.
        • Make the glaze by combining the three ingredients to form a thick texture. Drizzle over the top of the cooled cake.
        • Store cake under a cake dome or other cover. Individual slices can be wrapped in plastic for transport or frozen for later.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

          Posted by on Sep 4, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

          Yes, yet another delicious version of apple cake. This Apples and Honey Cake uses apple butter, giving it a darker, moister crumb and a deeper infusion of spices.

          Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

          This is truly a wonderful breakfast cake or a portable snack cake to tote along to work on school. It’s not messy to eat, and it’s refreshing and filling.

          Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

          Note that, because of the apple butter, the top is dark in color, so don’t use the coloration to judge doneness in the oven. Rely on the good old toothpick test in the middle.

          Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

          Bready or Not: Apples and Honey Cake

          This variation of apple cake is doubly infused with apples and spice, as it includes apple butter, chopped apples, and extra spice. It’s fantastic for breakfast, snack, or dessert, and pieces freeze beautifully. Modified from Star-Tribune September 17, 2023.
          Course: Breakfast, Snack
          Keyword: apple, cake
          Servings: 9 pieces
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 9×9 pan
          • nonstick spray

          Ingredients

          • 2 medium baking apples such as Honeycrisp or Cortland
          • 1 cup olive oil
          • 1 cup white sugar
          • 3/4 cup apple butter
          • 1/2 cup honey
          • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
          • 2 large eggs room temperature
          • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
          • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
          • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
          • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
          • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
          • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
          • Peel and dice up the apples. Set aside.
          • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sugar, apple butter, honey, vanilla, and eggs, creating a smooth mixture. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is combined. Fold in the apples.
          • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick plunged into the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely, chilling in fridge to speed the process if desired, then use the foil to lift the cake onto a cutting board for easier slicing.
          • Store in a sealed container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Pieces can also be individually wrapped and frozen for weeks.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Apple Custard Cake

            Posted by on Jul 31, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Apple Custard Cake

            This newest entry in my series of apple cakes is on the fancier side. This Apple Custard Cake is light, airy, and loaded with fruit. It truly does have a gourmet vibe.

            Apple Custard Cake

            While it’s not difficult to make, it is tedious to construct. This is a recipe that dirties a lot of dishes. Bowl after bowl after bowl. That said, the result truly is something special.

            Apple Custard Cake

            If you’re going to go through a lot of fuss, it should be worthwhile, right?

            Apple Custard Cake

            Bready or Not Original: Apple Custard Cake

            This is a fancier apple cake that is light and divine, the apple pieces suspended in airy, moist crumb. Be warned, this recipe dirties a lot of dishes, but the result is both gorgeous and delicious.
            Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
            Keyword: apple, cake, springform pan
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • 9-inch springform pan
            • parchment paper
            • uneven spatula

            Ingredients

            • 4 medium baking apples such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Cortland
            • 1/2 cup golden raisins
            • 1 medium lemon zested and juiced
            • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
            • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
            • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
            • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus 2 Tablespoons
            • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
            • 3/4 teaspoon salt
            • 3 large eggs divided
            • 2/3 cup white sugar
            • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
            • 1 cup milk or half & half
            • 1 cup canola oil
            • 1/3 cup white sugar for topping

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the disc of the springform pan. Use nonstick spray on pan. Add the cut parchment paper. Spray again over the paper, making sure to cover the sides of the ring.
            • Thinly slice the apples. Place them with the raisins in a big bowl. Measure out 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to place in bowl; use any remaining juice for something outside of the recipe. Add all of the zest, the cinnamon, and nutmeg, and stir to coat the fruit. Set aside for a while; there are a lot of other bowls to dirty.
            • In a separate bowl, stir together the whole wheat pastry flour, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, the baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
            • In another mixing bowl, beat together 2 of the eggs with the 2/3 cup sugar, until they are thickened and pale. Add the vanilla. Measure out the milk and oil. Take turns adding the milk and oil to the egg mixture alternatively with the dry ingredients.
            • In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg. Add 1 cup of the batter along with the remaining 2 tablespoons flour. Mix until just combined. Set aside to use for the topping.
            • Fold the apple bowl contents into the main batter and mix until everything is coated. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Use an uneven spatula to spread the reserved batter over the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 cup white sugar over the top of the cake.
            • Place the cake on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 1 hour. The edges should be pulling away from the sides. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the inner ring. Pop the release to open the pan and lift away the ring to allow it to cool more.
            • Cake can be kept wrapped at room temperature or in the fridge. Slices can also be individually wrapped and frozen for weeks.

            OM NOM NOM!

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