This delightful sourdough apple cinnamon snack cake is a perfect way to use your sourdough discard, creating a moist and flavorful treat that’s great for any time of day. It’s a simple recipe that turns everyday ingredients into a comforting dessert or a lovely addition to brunch.
Whether you’re new to baking with sourdough discard or a seasoned pro looking for a quick win, this snack cake delivers on both ease and incredible taste. Get ready to enjoy a tender crumb, sweet apples, and a warm cinnamon spice that will fill your kitchen with an inviting aroma.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Sourdough Apple Cinnamon Snack Cake
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 1 8x8 inch cake 1x
Description
This delightful sourdough apple cinnamon snack cake is a perfect way to use your sourdough discard, creating a moist and flavorful treat that’s great for any time of day. It’s a simple recipe that turns everyday ingredients into a comforting dessert or a lovely addition to brunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C). Lightly grease and flour an 8×8 inch square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the cake out later.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside for now.
3. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. The mixture should look pale and airy.
4. Beat in the egg until well combined, then stir in the vanilla extract and sourdough discard. The mixture might look a little curdled at this point, but don’t worry, it will come together. Gradually add the milk, mixing until just combined.
5. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are fine. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
6. Gently fold in the diced apple and ground cinnamon until evenly distributed throughout the batter. If using, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans as well.
7. Pour the batter into your prepared 8×8 inch baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
8. While the cake cools slightly in the pan (about 10 minutes), whisk together the powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. Once the cake has cooled for a bit, drizzle the glaze generously over the top. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9 servings
Keywords: sourdough, apple, cinnamon, snack cake, discard, easy, dessert, baking, comfort food, sweet
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true gem for anyone looking for a low-fuss, high-reward baking project. It’s perfect for busy parents who want to whip up a homemade treat without spending hours in the kitchen, or for anyone who enjoys a comforting dessert that isn’t overly complicated. The use of sourdough discard adds a subtle tang and an incredible tenderness to the cake, elevating it beyond a standard apple cake without requiring any extra activation or proofing time. It’s a fantastic way to utilize that discard you might otherwise throw away, reducing waste and creating something truly delicious. Serve it as a breakfast pastry with your morning coffee, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a simple dessert after dinner. Its unfussy nature makes it ideal for potlucks, casual gatherings, or simply enjoying at home with your family.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start baking is a great way to ensure a smooth and enjoyable process. This recipe uses common pantry staples alongside your sourdough discard, making it accessible and easy to prepare. You likely have most of these items on hand already!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sourdough discard (unfed, at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- For the cinnamon glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For simple substitutions, feel free to use salted butter if that’s what you have, just omit the added salt in the recipe. If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can use all granulated sugar, though the brown sugar adds a nice depth of flavor. Any type of milk will work here, whether it’s whole milk, 2%, or a non-dairy alternative like almond or oat milk. While the recipe calls for one large apple, feel free to use two smaller ones to get about a cup of diced fruit. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work wonderfully for their balance of sweetness and tartness, and how well they hold their shape when baked. If you’re not a fan of nuts or have allergies, simply leave out the walnuts or pecans; the cake will still be delicious.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This sourdough apple cinnamon snack cake is designed to be a quick and easy bake, perfect for when you want a homemade treat without a long commitment.
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 25-30 minutes
- Cooling and Glazing Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 50-55 minutes
This timeline ensures you can enjoy a warm, freshly baked cake in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for a spontaneous baking session or a last-minute dessert.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Follow these straightforward steps to create your delicious sourdough apple cinnamon snack cake. Each step is designed to be easy to understand, even for beginner bakers.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour an 8×8 inch square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the cake out later.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside for now.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. The mixture should look pale and airy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg until well combined, then stir in the vanilla extract and sourdough discard. The mixture might look a little curdled at this point, but don’t worry, it will come together. Gradually add the milk, mixing until just combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are fine. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Fold in Apples and Cinnamon: Gently fold in the diced apple and ground cinnamon until evenly distributed throughout the batter. If using, fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans as well.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared 8×8 inch baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and spring back when lightly touched.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: While the cake cools slightly in the pan (about 10 minutes), whisk together the powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. Once the cake has cooled for a bit, drizzle the glaze generously over the top. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This sourdough apple cinnamon snack cake is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can omit the nuts entirely or substitute them with mini chocolate chips for a fun surprise. You could also add a handful of dried cranberries or raisins along with the apples for extra chewiness and flavor.
When it comes to serving, this cake is delightful on its own, but a few simple additions can elevate it even further. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it a more decadent dessert. For breakfast or brunch, serve it alongside a fruit salad or a steaming cup of coffee or tea. You can also sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a crunchy crust. If you’re making this for a party or buffet, cut it into small squares, making it easy for guests to grab and enjoy. For a richer glaze, you could swap out some of the milk for a tablespoon of melted butter or cream cheese in the glaze mixture.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help ensure your sourdough apple cinnamon snack cake turns out perfectly every time.
- Overmixing the Batter: This is a very common mistake. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in a tough, dense cake rather than a tender, moist one. Mix until just combined, even if there are a few small lumps or streaks of flour remaining.
- Using Cold Ingredients: Especially with butter and eggs, cold ingredients don’t emulsify as well with other ingredients, leading to a less cohesive batter and a potentially uneven texture. Make sure your butter is softened and your egg and sourdough discard are at room temperature.
- Incorrect Oven Temperature: An oven that’s too hot can burn the outside of the cake while leaving the inside raw, while an oven that’s too cool can result in a dry, dense cake that doesn’t rise properly. Consider using an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is accurately preheated.
- Not Peeling or Dicing Apples Properly: While some apple skins are fine in certain recipes, for a tender snack cake, peeling the apples ensures a smoother texture. Dicing them finely ensures they cook through evenly and are distributed well throughout the cake. Large chunks might not soften enough.
- Applying Glaze to a Hot Cake: If you drizzle the glaze onto a cake that’s too hot, it will melt and soak into the cake rather than forming a nice, visible layer on top. Let the cake cool for at least 10-15 minutes in the pan before glazing.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This sourdough apple cinnamon snack cake is best enjoyed fresh, but it stores beautifully, making it a great option for meal prepping or enjoying over a few days.
To store the cake, once it has completely cooled and the glaze has set, place it in an airtight container.
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
