Apple & Blueberry Yogurt Cake
Introduction
This Apple & Blueberry Yogurt Cake is a beautifully moist, tender, and light dessert, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a simple afternoon treat. The inclusion of yogurt in the batter ensures an incredibly tender crumb, while the baked apples and bursting blueberries provide a lovely balance of sweet and tart fruit flavors.
1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour: The main dry structure for the cake.
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder: The leavening agent to help the cake rise and achieve a light texture.
1/2 teaspoon Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
1 cup Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps tenderize the cake.
1 large Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure.
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Adds a depth of flavor to the batter.
1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt (or regular whole milk yogurt): The key ingredient for moisture and tenderness; Greek yogurt makes the cake richer.
1/2 cup Vegetable Oil (or melted unsalted butter): Adds richness and a soft, moist texture.
1 large Apple (like Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and thinly sliced: For the decorative top and a soft, sweet layer of fruit.
1 cup Fresh Blueberries (or frozen, not thawed): Dispersed throughout the batter for bursts of tart flavor and moisture.
Instructions: How to Make
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Preheat your oven to $350^\circ\text{F}$ ($175^\circ\text{C}$). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan (or a 9-inch round pan) with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until combined. Whisk in the Greek yogurt and oil until smooth and fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine and Fold in Blueberries
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Do not overmix. Gently fold in 3/4 cup of the blueberries into the batter with a spatula.
Step 5: Assemble and Top
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Arrange the thinly sliced apple pieces in a decorative pattern over the top of the cake (as shown in the top panel of your image). Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of blueberries around the apple slices.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment paper overhangs to lift it out and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Variations
Other Fruits: Substitute the apple and blueberries with other fruits like sliced peaches, raspberries, or chopped plums.
Citrus Zest: Add the zest of one lemon to the wet ingredients for a bright, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the berries.
Streusel Topping: Instead of the apple pattern, mix a simple topping of flour, brown sugar, and cold butter, and crumble it over the cake before baking for a crunchy texture.
Glaze: Drizzle the cooled cake with a simple lemon glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little lemon juice) for extra sweetness and moisture.
Tips
Yogurt Quality: Use a good quality, full-fat yogurt (Greek or whole milk) for the best flavor and moisture. Avoid low-fat or fat-free yogurt, as the cake may turn out less tender.
Do Not Overmix: Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense cake. Mix until the streaks of flour are almost gone.
Pat Apples Dry: If your apples are very juicy, pat the slices dry with a paper towel before placing them on the batter to prevent them from sinking or making the cake soggy.
Check for Doneness: Start checking the cake at the 45-minute mark. Since ovens vary, it’s better to check early than to overbake, which will dry out the yogurt cake.
Serving: This cake is delicious on its own, dusted with powdered sugar, or served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Conclusion
This Apple & Blueberry Yogurt Cake is the definition of simple elegance, delivering a spectacularly moist, flavorful, and beautiful dessert with minimal effort, making it a perfect all-seasons treat.