Modern Dutch Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup Milk (Scalded)
• 0.33 cup Butter (Unsalted)
• 0.33 cup Sugar (Granulated)
• 0.33 teaspoon Salt (Fine sea salt)
• 2.25 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast (1 packet)
• 2 Eggs (Large)
• 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 4 Apples (Peeled, cored, and sliced)
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed)

Instructions

1. 1In a saucepan, heat the milk until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the butter, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Let cool to lukewarm.
2. 2In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of lukewarm water. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
3. 3In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the cooled milk mixture and the proofed yeast. Mix well.
4. 4Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. 5Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. 6While the dough is rising, peel, core, and slice the apples. Toss with cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
7. 7Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. Punch down the dough and spread it evenly in the prepared pan. Arrange the apple slices on top of the dough.
8. 8Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.