Apple Coffee Cake (with Beer!)

3 c. flour, sifted

1/4 c. white sugar

2 T. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground cloves

1/4 t. ground ginger

3 t. baking powder

1 t. salt

2 c. peeled and chopped apples

1/4 c. butter, melted, plus more for pan

1 bottle (12 oz.) beer

2 c. powdered sugar

3 - 5 T. half-and-half or milk

1 t. vanilla 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8" square baking pan with foil, letting the excess overlap the edges. Butter the foil and set aside. 

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, white sugar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, baking powder, and salt. Add the apples, butter, and beer. Mix just until blended (batter will be thick). Transfer to the pan.

Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes.

Carefully lift the foil and remove the cake from the pan; let it cool on a wire rack.

Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough of the half-and-half or milk to make a thin glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake, and serve.

Serves 6-8.

Adapted from New Hampshire Home magazine, Jan./Feb. 2022, p. 30.