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Home » Recipes » dessert » Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake

September 22, 2016

Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake

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French Apple Cake meets Kentucky Bourbon Country with this simple yet stunning skillet cake.

Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake by Foodtastic Mom #FallFest

I love a good cake. And this Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake is so good. Remember that French Strawberry Cake I made a while back? It’s the most viewed and made recipe on my blog now! I love a simple cake that has that ‘wow’ factor and apparently lots of other people do too. 

Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake by Foodtastic Mom #FallFest

I wanted that cake (with its crackly top and custardy center) but for fall. Something that goes with football, falling leaves and crisp air. A classic French apple cake is lovely, but I wanted it to be more homey. I live close enough to the river that I like to consider myself a Kentuckian sometimes. Especially when it comes to bourbon. So I decided to add bourbon soaked pecans and apples to my cake batter. And top it with butter pecan ice cream. Oh yes I did!

Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake by Foodtastic Mom #FallFest

So here we have a cake you’ll want to make all season long. It is apple picking season you know. And there’s really not that much bourbon in it. But if you’d like to abstain the cake is still just as delicious without the addition of bourbon. 

 

And let’s talk about texture. I’m not sure how a cake with so few ingredients can come out with such a moist and custard-like middle plus a crackly, pretty top. It’s like magic. Your people you make this cake for will think you are practicing sorcery in your kitchen. Or that you are just a really good baker. Make this your “secret” recipe. Your secret is safe with me!

Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake

Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake by Foodtastic Mom #FallFest
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Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake

A southern version of a French Apple Cake - this apple cake is custardy in the middle and has pecans and bourbon in the batter.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 406kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 stick unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 small honey crisp apples peeled, cored and sliced thinly
  • 1/2 cup pecans chopped
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • butter pecan ice cream for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch cast iron skillet with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Toss the apples and pecans with the bourbon and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip together the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until pale and fluffy, 3 - 4 minutes.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the flour mixture and sour cream to the batter and beat on low until a smooth batter forms.
  • Fold in bourbon soaked apples and pecans. Spread the batter in the prepared skillet. 
  • Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar evenly over the top of the cake batter.
  • Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Let the cake cool in the skillet.
  • Serve cake slices topped with scoops of butter pecan ice cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 406kcal

Love this cake? Don’t miss out on my STRAWBERRY version. Click the picture for the recipe!

French Strawberry Cake by Foodtastic Mom

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kate says

    February 27, 2017 at 12:47 am

    Can I make this if I don’t have a cast iron skillet? Substitute?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 02, 2017 at 9:24 pm

      You can make it in a standard 9-inch round cake pan. I hope you like it!

      Reply
  2. Marlene says

    February 28, 2017 at 2:00 am

    Sounds wonderful

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 02, 2017 at 9:21 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Maria says

    March 03, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    Do I have to use bourbon?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 21, 2017 at 6:30 pm

      No. Omit completely or use a little extra vanilla extract.

      Reply
  4. mary eischen says

    March 04, 2017 at 9:28 pm

    Looks gooey incthe middle, is it? The top looks flaky and delish.

    Thanks
    Mary

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 21, 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Not gooey. More custard – like. That is how it is supposed to be 🙂

      Reply
  5. Chery says

    March 05, 2017 at 12:09 pm

    I don’t have bourbon. Can this be left out?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 21, 2017 at 6:29 pm

      Yes it can be left out. You can add a bit extra vanilla extract if you want.

      Reply
  6. Sara says

    March 05, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    Made this cake today, and we loved it. Made substitutions of green apples and used a cake pan. The bourbon adds a nice bit of flavor as well. Plan to make this again!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 21, 2017 at 6:28 pm

      Wonderful. Thank you Sara!

      Reply
  7. Fatena says

    March 07, 2017 at 11:39 pm

    Your cake looks just amazing! What can I use instead of the bourbon? Something non-alcoholic

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 21, 2017 at 6:26 pm

      It’s really just a splash of bourbon. You can omit or add a little extra vanilla extract.

      Reply
  8. Nicole says

    March 08, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    Is it possible to omit the pecans?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 21, 2017 at 6:25 pm

      Yes definitely

      Reply
  9. Alysia says

    June 15, 2017 at 10:12 pm

    Would this recipe work with a springform pan?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 20, 2017 at 6:11 pm

      Yes I think it would. I know other readers have used a springform pan with my French Strawberry Cake (which is the same base recipe) and it has turned out fine.

      Reply
  10. Sarah says

    November 18, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    It’s called a cake but is it at all like a pie? I was thinking of making it for thanksgiving.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      November 21, 2017 at 9:29 am

      No it really is like a cake. Let me know if you try it!

      Reply
  11. Sarilyn says

    December 17, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    The strawberry version has been making me look good for almost 2 years now! I just baked the apple version in the skillet. It smells and looks amazing. I’m so excited! Thank you for the great recipes.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      December 25, 2017 at 8:18 pm

      Love hearing this. You are welcome!

      Reply
  12. Diane says

    October 01, 2018 at 3:41 pm

    OMG. I think I just ran across the blog of The Baking Queen.. I can’t wait to try this as it Looks Devine. Thank You for Sharing. .🙏🏼💜💞

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      October 01, 2018 at 10:21 pm

      Thank you for the vote of confidence 🙂 I hope you enjoy the cake!

      Reply
  13. Cindy says

    May 07, 2021 at 10:35 am

    No need to warm the cast iron skillet first?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      May 08, 2021 at 11:40 am

      No, you do not need to warm it up first.

      Reply
  14. Susie says

    February 05, 2023 at 9:57 pm

    I have made this cake several times and it is superb! Sometimes I use the bourbon and sometimes I don’t. The recipe never fails and it’s always a hit! I haven’t made it in a while so it’s on my agenda for tomorrow. I can’t wait to try the strawberry version this summer. For anyone not sure about making this cake, JUST DO IT! You won’t regret it.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      February 05, 2023 at 10:39 pm

      You enthusiasm for my apple cake makes me so happy to read. You’re going to love the strawberry cake too, I’m sure. Thanks very much for taking the time to write and share your experience. I really appreciate it!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 150 Best Fall Desserts - Prudent Penny Pincher says:
    December 11, 2021 at 8:39 am

    […] Kentucky Apple Skillet Cake from Foodtastic Mom […]

    Reply

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My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

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