Spiced Apple Molasses Loaf Cake with Browned Butter Mascarpone Frosting

Spiced Apple Molasses Loaf Cake with Browned Butter Mascarpone Frosting

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 45 - 55 minutes

Servings: 8 - 10

Ingredients:

Spiced apple molasses loaf cake

• 2 cups all purpose flour (240 g)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp each ground nutmeg, ground cardamom, and ground cloves
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup maple sugar (165 g) + 1 tbsp (14 g) ((sub white sugar))
• ⅓ cup blackstrap molasses
• ½ cup melted butter (4 oz)
• 2 cups peeled and grated apple (save the apple peels)
• 1 tsp olive oil

Browned butter mascarpone frosting

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter (3 oz)
• ¾ cup mascarpone (6 oz)
• 2 cups powdered sugar (240 g)
• ½ tsp vanilla bean powder
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Spiced apple molasses loaf cake: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and line a 9x4 inch loaf tin with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cup (210 g) all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, toss together the grated apple and the remaining ¼ cup flour (30 g).
4. In a large bowl, whisk together ¾ cup maple sugar and eggs until thoroughly combined and lightened in color. Add the melted butter, molasses, grated ginger, and vanilla extract and whisk again.
5. With a rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the wet mixture until almost combined. Add the grated apples and fold.
6. Pour the batter into the loaf tin. Bake for 45 - 55 minutes, until a knife or toothpick comes out clean or with small crumbs. Allow to cool completely.
7. While the cake is baking, dump the apple peels onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of maple sugar, and toss to evenly coat. Spread out the apple peels, and bake for 18-25 minutes in the same oven as the cake, until darkened and crispy. Remove from the oven.
8. Browned butter mascarpone frosting: Add the butter to a skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly, until the butter begins to bubble and brown. Take off the heat and immediately pour it into a bowl. Cool completely, until the butter is solidified and soft.
9. Add the browned butter and the mascarpone to a bowl. Whisk (or beat with a handheld mixer) until the two are well combined and whipped.
10. Add the powdered sugar, pinch of salt, and vanilla bean powder. Beat again until very smooth and creamy.
11. Assemble: Once the cake is cool, pipe or spread the frosting on top of the loaf, then garnish with the crispy apple peels. Store in the fridge for up to a week.