Delicious & Easy Homemade Dutch Apple Snack Cake: A Vintage Recipe Inspired by Gilda Radner
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a freshly baked apple cake wafting through your home. Today, I embarked on a simple baking adventure, driven by a desire to utilize the ripe apples and bananas adorning my kitchen counter. Rather than diving into a complex, time-consuming project, I sought out a straightforward recipe that promised delicious results without much fuss. My search led me to an unexpected treasure: a Dutch Apple Cake recipe found within the pages of a unique cookbook.
The cookbook in question is the intriguing The Dead Celebrity Cookbook, a fascinating compilation of recipes from beloved personalities of the past. To my delight, I stumbled upon a recipe for Gilda Radner’s Dutch Apple Cake. For those who grew up in the 70s and 80s, Gilda Radner needs no introduction. She was a comedic genius, one of the original and most memorable cast members of Saturday Night Live, part of the iconic “Not Ready For Prime Time Players.” Her talent brought joy and laughter to millions before her untimely passing in 1989.
Photo credit – Washington Post
Gilda Radner’s Enduring Legacy and the Joy of Baking Her Recipe
Gilda Radner’s humor and quick wit were unparalleled. Her characters, like the hard-of-hearing Emily Litella and the opinionated Roseanne Roseannadanna, were legendary. She, along with fellow SNL legends such as Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, and Laraine Newman, created a comedic powerhouse that shaped generations of comedians. Watching her on Saturday Night Live was a weekly ritual, guaranteeing stitches from laughter. Her death from ovarian cancer in 1989 was a profound loss to the world of comedy and entertainment, leaving behind a void that has been hard to fill. Yet, her spirit lives on, not just through her work, but now, for me, through her baking.
Discovering Gilda’s personal recipe for Dutch Apple Cake felt like a delightful connection to her. It instantly brought a smile to my face, and I couldn’t help but hear Emily Litella’s famous catchphrase, “Never mind!” echoing in my head. There’s something incredibly special about preparing a dish that a beloved figure once enjoyed, imagining them in their own kitchen, creating something comforting. This recipe offered not just a delicious dessert, but a heartwarming journey back in time, connecting with a comedic legend through the simple act of baking.
Transforming a Classic: My Personal Adaptations for the Perfect Snack Cake
While Gilda’s original recipe provided an excellent foundation, I couldn’t resist making a few personal touches to enhance its flavor and texture, and to make use of the ingredients I had on hand. The original called for two sticks of butter, and while I appreciate the richness butter brings, I had a couple of ripe bananas just begging to be used. Bananas are fantastic substitutes for butter in baking, lending moisture, a subtle sweetness, and a lovely tender crumb. So, I opted to replace one stick of butter with two mashed ripe bananas, adding a delightful depth of flavor that complements the apples beautifully.
Another minor tweak was necessary due to a common kitchen predicament: I was out of milk! Instead, I reached for buttermilk, a fantastic ingredient known for adding tanginess and tenderness to baked goods. Buttermilk reacts with baking powder to create a lighter, fluffier texture, and I slightly reduced the remaining butter in the batter by one tablespoon to balance the richness. Perhaps the most significant enhancement, however, was the addition of spices. Gilda’s original batter was spice-free, and while that might appeal to some, I believe a Dutch Apple Cake truly shines with a warm embrace of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. These spices elevate the flavor profile, bringing out the best in the apples and bananas, and filling the kitchen with an irresistible aroma during baking. These thoughtful modifications transform a classic into a truly exceptional, wholesome Dutch Apple Snack Cake, making it uniquely delicious and perfectly suited for a cozy afternoon treat.
Once the perfectly spiced batter is ready, it’s poured into the prepared baking pan, creating a soft foundation for the star of the show: the apples. For a beautiful presentation and even cooking, I meticulously line the top of the batter with thinly sliced apples. Using a The final touch before baking is a generous sprinkling of cinnamon brown sugar over the apple slices. This creates a sweet, caramelized crust that perfectly complements the soft cake and tart apples. To ensure a rich, moist top, small dots of cold butter are then scattered over the cinnamon brown sugar mixture. As the cake bakes, the butter melts, infusing the apples with its goodness and helping to create those coveted chewy, caramel-like edges. This simple yet crucial step elevates the humble snack cake to a truly indulgent dessert.
The Irresistible Charm of This Dutch Apple Snack Cake
This adapted Dutch Apple Snack Cake recipe truly lives up to its promise of ease and deliciousness. It comes together effortlessly, transforming simple ingredients into a remarkable treat. The result is a cake with incredibly chewy, caramelized edges, contrasted by the tender, soft apples nestled on top. The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice creates a heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen during baking, promising warmth and comfort. Just the right amount of banana flavor subtly enhances the cake, adding moisture and a delicate sweetness without overpowering the classic apple notes.
Whether enjoyed warm straight from the oven, perhaps with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or elevated to an indulgent dessert with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, this cake is an absolute delight. It’s perfect for a casual snack, a special breakfast, or a simple dessert after any meal. The combination of fruit, spice, and a perfectly moist crumb makes it an instant family favorite. Enjoy this wonderful homemade Dutch Apple Snack Cake – a taste of comfort and a nod to a comedic legend.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Dutch Apple Snack Cake
To ensure your Dutch Apple Snack Cake turns out perfectly every time, here are a few expert tips:
- Choose the Right Apples: While Honeycrisp apples are fantastic for this recipe due to their sweet-tart flavor and crisp texture, other varieties like Granny Smith (for a tarter cake), Fuji, or Braeburn also work wonderfully. The key is to select apples that hold their shape well when baked.
- Ripe Bananas are Key: For the best results when substituting bananas for butter, make sure your bananas are very ripe, with plenty of brown spots on their peel. This ensures maximum sweetness and moisture, and they’ll mash more easily into the batter.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher cake texture. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.
- Mandolin for Thin Slices: As mentioned, a mandolin is ideal for uniform, thin apple slices. If you don’t have one, use a sharp knife and slice as thinly and evenly as possible. This ensures the apples cook through and blend seamlessly with the cake.
- Oven Temperature Matters: Always preheat your oven fully. Using an oven thermometer can help you verify that your oven is at the correct temperature, as many ovens can be inconsistent.
- Cooling Time: Allowing the cake to cool for at least 10 minutes on a wire rack before slicing helps it set, preventing it from crumbling and making it easier to serve.
- Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for that fresh-baked warmth.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to create a consistently delicious and aesthetically pleasing Dutch Apple Snack Cake that will impress anyone who tries it.
Understanding Key Ingredients for Optimal Flavor
Each ingredient in this Dutch Apple Snack Cake plays a crucial role in its final taste and texture:
- Flour: All-purpose flour provides the cake’s structure. Sifting it with the other dry ingredients ensures a light and airy crumb.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is responsible for the cake’s rise, creating a soft and tender texture. Its reaction with the buttermilk is particularly effective.
- Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice): These warm, aromatic spices are essential for that classic “apple pie” flavor. They beautifully complement the sweetness of the apples and brown sugar.
- Unsalted Butter: While we’ve reduced the amount, butter still contributes to the cake’s richness and flavor. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of the recipe.
- Ripe Bananas: Beyond being a butter substitute, ripe bananas add natural sweetness, a unique flavor profile, and incredible moisture to the cake, contributing to its tender crumb.
- Buttermilk: Its slight acidity reacts with the baking powder, producing a lighter cake. It also adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and contributes to the cake’s moistness.
- Honeycrisp Apples: Their excellent balance of sweetness and tartness, along with their firm texture, makes them ideal for baking as they don’t turn to mush.
- Brown Sugar: Used for the topping, brown sugar provides a deeper, molasses-like sweetness and helps create that wonderful caramelization on the apples.
Understanding how these ingredients interact allows for a more intuitive and enjoyable baking experience, yielding a cake that is both balanced and flavorful.
Dutch Apple Snack Cake
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Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large Honeycrisp apple cored, peeled and sliced thin
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into pieces
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by greasing or spraying it thoroughly.
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In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon allspice. Whisk them together until well blended and set aside.
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In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and mashed ripe bananas on medium speed for about two minutes. The mixture may appear slightly curdled at this stage. Add the vanilla extract, egg, and buttermilk, then continue to beat until the mixture is smooth and well homogenized.
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With the mixer on low speed, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Beat for one to two minutes, just until everything is combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, give it a final stir, and then pour the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan.
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Carefully arrange the thinly sliced apples on top of the batter. Lay them on their side, overlapping slightly, working your way across the pan. Continue this process until the entire surface of the batter is covered with apple slices.
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In a small bowl, combine ½ cup brown sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, mixing well with your fingers to break up any clumps. Sprinkle this flavorful mixture evenly over the arranged apple slices. Finally, dot the top with small pieces of cold unsalted butter.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least ten minutes before slicing and serving.
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This Dutch Apple Snack Cake is best enjoyed warm from the oven. For an extra treat, quickly heat a slice in the microwave and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.