Baked Fresh Apple Cake with Brown Sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or Bundt pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Dice the apples into uniform 1/4-inch cubes and toss them with a pinch of flour.
3. Beat softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
6. Alternating between the two, add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
7. Gently fold in the diced apples using a spatula.
8. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
9. While the cake is in its final 5 minutes of baking, combine glaze ingredients (brown sugar, butter, water, vanilla, salt) in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and bubbles.
10. Pour the hot glaze over the cake immediately after removing it from the oven. Let soak for 10 minutes before slicing.