This Sourdough Apple Pancake Layer Cake is so simple to make, yet has the most fabulous presentation! If you can make pancakes, you can make this gorgeous layer cake!

a sourdough apple pancake layer cake on a white platter and a slice of the cake next to it on a white plate with purple floral

Serve it for brunch or just to fancy up a typical Saturday morning. This decadent looking dish is as simple as making extra large pancakes, whipped cream, and cooked apples!

This is also such a fun recipe to make with kids! I like to bring them in during the layering process. Little ones can feel very important spreading the maple cream on each layer and older ones can potentially do the entire pancake stacking themselves!

a slice of a sourdough apple pancake layer cake on a plate with purple florals

This cake can be filled with any type of fruit you desire! I have also made it with fresh strawberries and cream and it was divine!

Here, I will teach you how to make this sourdough layer cake with sweet and syrupy cinnamon apples, layered with luscious maple cream and perfectly sweetened sourdough pancakes.

unclose image of a sourdough apple pancake layer cake

What are the Health Benefits of Sourdough?

An aerial view of a bubbly sourdough starter taken through violet lilacs

Firstly, the souring (fermenting) of your dough provides gut healthy probiotics that will contribute to a healthy microbiome. It’s also worth noting that the souring process may even reduce gluten levels in the fished product. Wheat prepared in this traditional way of souring neutralizes phytic acid in the wheat, therefore partially breaking down the wheat before consumption, making it easier to digest. Moreover, sourdough also gives more nutrients to the flour by releasing antioxidants and increasing folate levels.

Secondly, because of the fermentation process, food made with sourdough (or any fermentation for that matter) is lower on the glycemic index because of the acids produced in the souring process. Any fermented food you consume contains lactic acid and acetic acid. These acids will interfere with the carbohydrates that want to turn into blood sugar, therefore reducing the blood sugar spike overall. Reducing blood sugar spikes is so important for your overall health!

sourdough starter in a clear glass jar and starter in a an antique ironstone mixing bowl ready to a sourdough pancake layer cake

Tips for Making a Sourdough Apple Pancake Layer Cake

A sourdough apple pancake layer cake photographed from the the side with one slice cut out.

To prevent your pancakes from being too big to flip, stick to using 1/2 cup of batter per pancake.
You will want uniformity in your pancakes to create a beautiful cake. Use only 1/2 cup of batter on a hot pan doing very minimal spreading of the batter, and if possible, no spreading at all. The batter will spread itself out nicely.
You will want your pancakes completely cooled for a beautiful cake. If they are hot, the heat will melt the whipped cream and you will have a sliding pancake mess on your hands.
Do not overcook your pancake. You want them very soft and just cooked through. If the pancake gets too crispy you will find it hard cut through it within the cake and it will disrupt the beauty of the layers.
These pancakes can be made one day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. The next day, just pull them out and assemble! Let the pancakes come to room temperature before serving.
Cast iron cooking has it’s tricks! See my cast iron tips below for smooth sailing.

Cast Iron Cooking Tips

apples cooking in a cast iron skillet in a stove with a single candle burning next to it

Pre-heat your skillet! It took me a while to learn this one, but it makes all the difference in your cast iron functioning as a non-stick skillet. Simply place your cast iron skillet on the burner and turn on the heat to a medium -low to medium range. Don’t go too hot or your food will burn right away. Let it pre-heat for up to 5 minutes. If you see smoke, it may need to cool down a bit which you can do by removing it form the burner for a minute or two.
Pre-Heat your cooking fat! It is also important that the fat is hot to create a non-stick cooking surface. Add your fat to an already hot pan, and allow it to heat up a minute or two.

Tools You May Need

A few cast iron skillets or heavy bottom skillets that are 10-12 inches in diameter

Mixing Bowl

Wooden spoon

Measuring cups and spoons

Electric mixer-stand mixer or handheld mixer

Paring knife

Cutting board

Spatula

Pretty plate or cake stand for serving

Sourdough Apple Pancake Layer Cake Ingredients

cut apples, apple slices, and apple skins on a cutting board ready to be used in a sourdough apple pancake layer cake

For the Pancakes:

2 cups fed sourdough starter

1/4 cup coconut sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

For the Maple Filling:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4. cup pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Cooked Apples:

4 large apples, peeled and sliced thinly

4 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup coconut sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

How to Make a Sourdough Apple Pancake Layer Cake

sourdough starter being poured into a bowl in a long stream

Making the Sourdough Pancakes

women standing by her stove holding a bowl of sourdough pancake batter for a sourdough apple Pancake Layer cake

Start by mixing all of your pancake ingredients together, expect the baking soda, in a mixing bowl. Once all ingredients but the baking soda are incorporated, sprinkle the baking soda over the batter making sure there are no clumps. Mix in the baking soda and you should see your pancake batter bubble up.

On a preheated cast iron or heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, melt a little coconut oil or butter.

Once the oil has heated a minute or two, spoon 1/2 cup of batter onto the pan. Let it spread on it’s own, and cook a few minutes until the edges begin to darken and the center of the pancake appears slightly cooked.

Flip you pancake and continue cooking on the other side.

Let your extra large pancake cool on a baking rack. You want your pancakes cool so they do not melt the whipped cream filling.

Continue cooking pancakes, 1/2 cup of batter at a time, until all the batter is gone.

Making the Cinnamon Apples

Cinnamon apples in a cast iron skillet ready to go into a sourdough apple pancake layer cake

While you pancakes are cooking, add 4 tablespoons of butter to a skillet on medium heat. Once it is melted and hot, add your peeled and chopped apples to the pan.

Once your apples have become soft (3-5 minutes of cooking time), add your sugar and cinnamon and mix until coated. Cook for a minute or so until the sugar becomes syrupy and turn off the heat. Remove from heat so they can cool.

Making the Maple Cream Filling

Maple whipped cream in a blue and white bowl ready to go inside a sourdough apple pancake layer cake

Add the cream, vanilla, and maple syrup in the bowl of stand mixing or mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer or the stand mixer, beat the cream mixture on medium low speed for a few minutes. Once the cream starts the thicken and won’t easily splash over the edge of the bowl, turn your mixer up to high and beat until stiff peaks form.

Building the Sourdough Apple Pancake Layer Cake

building the layers of a sourdough apple pancake layer cake with maple cream filling

To build your layer cake, place a pancake on a beautiful plate, platter, or cake stand. Start with a layer of cooked cinnamon apples, then add a layer of maple cream.

Next, add another pancake on top of the cream and continue this layering process until your cake is complete!

women building the layers of a sourdough apple pancake layer cake with maple cream filling

Top with the last of the whipped cream and you have a gorgeous dish to serve for brunch or dessert!

What Else Can You Make With Sourdough Starter?

Sourdough Apple Pancake Layer Cake Recipe

If you give this recipe a try, please consider leaving a comment below! Love it? Leave a 5 star rating!

Sourdough Apple Pancake Layer Cake with Maple Cream Filling

A gorgeous layer cake with lucious maple whipped cream filling, and syrupy cinnamon apples. All layered between fluffy sourdough pancakes that have the perfect flavor balance of sweet and slighty sour, creating a rich and deep flavor.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings 8

Ingredients

For the Pacakes

2 cups fed sourdough starter
1/4 cup coconut sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup melted coconut. oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

For the Cinnamon Apples

4 large apples peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Maple Cream Filling

1 cup heavy cream
14 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Making the Pancakes

Start by mixing all your pancake ingredients together, expect the baking soda.
Once all ingredients but the baking soda are incorporated, sprinkle the baking soda over the batter making sure there are no clumps.
Mix in the baking soda and you should see your pancake batter bubble up.
On a preheated cast iron or heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, melt some coconut oil or butter.
Once the oil is has heated a minute or two, spoon 1/2 cup of batter onto the pan.
Let it spread on it's own, and cook a few minutes until the edges begin to darken and the center of the pancake appears slightly cooked.
Flip the pancake and continue cooking on the other side.
Let your extra large pancake cool on a baking rack. You want your pancakes cool so they do not melt the whipped cream filling.
Continue cooking pancakes, 1/2 cup of batter at a time until the batter is gone.

Making the Cinnamon Apples

While you pancakes are cooking, add 4 tablespoons of butter to a skillet on medium heat. Once it is melted and hot, add your peeled and chopped apples to the pan.
Once your apples have become soft (3-5 minutes of cooking time), add your sugar and cinnamon and mix until coated.
Cook for a minute or so until the sugar becomes syrupy and turn off the heat. Remove from heat so they can cool.

Making the Maple Cream Filling

Add the cream, vanilla, and maple syrup in the bowl of stand mixing or mixing bowl.
Using an electric hand mixer or the stand mixer, beat the cream mixture on medium low speed for a few minutes.
Once the cream starts the thicken and won't easily splash over the edge of the bowl, turn your mixer up to high and beat until stiff peaks form.

Building the Layer Cake

To build your layer cake, place a pancake on a beautiful plate, platter, or cake stand. Start with a layer of cooked cinnamon apples, then add a layer of maple cream filling.
Next, add another pancake on top of the cream and continue this layering process until your cake is complete!

Thank you so much for stopping by Loving Grace Home! I hope you give this recipe a try. If you do, please let me know! I’d love to hear about it in the comments section!

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Have a beautiful day friend!