Introduction

Welcome back to my millet recipe blog! Today, I’m thrilled to share a cozy and delicious recipe: Spiced Apple Millet Cake. This cake is perfect for fall or any time you crave the comforting flavors of apple and warm spices. We’ll be using foxtail millet to add a nutritious twist to this classic dessert. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 cup foxtail millet flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups peeled and diced apples (about 2 medium apples)

For the Topping:

• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional, walnuts or pecans work well)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or a 9×9-inch square baking pan.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together foxtail millet flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger.
2. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. This should take about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

1. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
2. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined after each addition.
3. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Step 6: Fold in Apples

1. Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7: Prepare the Topping

1. In a small bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped nuts (if using), brown sugar, and ground cinnamon.
2. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is crumbly.

Step 8: Assemble and Bake

1. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
2. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the batter.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

1. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
2. Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy as is, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Conclusion

This Spiced Apple Millet Cake is a warm and comforting dessert that brings together the rich flavors of apple and spices with the nutritious benefits of foxtail millet. It’s perfect for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a cozy afternoon treat. Give this recipe a try and let me know how you like it in the comments below. Happy baking!

Would you like any specific tips or variations included in this blog post?