Description
A rich and indulgent apple and date skillet sponge cake featuring caramelized fruit base and topped with luscious butter caramel sauce. This comforting dessert offers a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors with a moist, tender crumb and homemade caramel drizzle.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Caramelized Base
- 2-3 pieces apples (mix of sweet and tart varieties), peeled and sliced
- 1 cup dates, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste, reserve some for caramel)
Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten-free blend can be substituted)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (coconut cream can be substituted for dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Fruit: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Peel and slice 2-3 apples and chop 1 cup of dates into bite-sized pieces.
- Caramelize Fruit: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples, chopped dates, and 1/4 cup sugar. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is softened and caramelized.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Batter: Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients carefully until just combined, being cautious not to overmix to keep the sponge tender.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the prepared batter evenly over the caramelized fruit in the skillet, smoothing the top carefully. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Butter Caramel Sauce: While the cake bakes, combine 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add 1/4 cup butter, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, allow the skillet sponge to cool for about 10 minutes. Drizzle generously with the warm butter caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor and texture.
- For a vegan version, substitute eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based butter and coconut cream.
- If gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Adjust sugar quantities based on your sweetness preference and type of dates used.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the sponge light and tender.
- The skillet used for caramelizing and baking should be oven-safe to transition from stovetop to oven.
- Check baking doneness early to avoid overbaking, as ovens can vary.
