1. 1. Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your bake.

2. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps and everything is evenly distributed.

3. 3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sourdough discard, egg, milk, and melted butter until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and uniform.

4. 4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredient bowl. Stir gently with a spatula or spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough texture. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.

5. 5. Prepare the Apples: In another small bowl, toss the diced apples with the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. The flour helps to thicken the apple juices as they cook, preventing a watery bake.

6. 6. Assemble the Bake: Pour half of the sourdough batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Spoon the apple mixture over this layer of batter. Then, carefully dollop the remaining sourdough batter over the apples, spreading it gently to cover as much of the apple layer as possible.

7. 7. Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The bake is ready when the top is golden brown, and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached.

8. 8. Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up properly.