Instant Pot Apple Cake

Ingredients:

• 3 cups peeled and diced apples (any variety)
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour + 1 tablespoon for dusting the pan
• 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice or apple cider
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pan: Grease and flour a 7-inch cake pan.
2. Prep the Apples: Peel, core, and chop apples into small pieces. Toss with cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Set aside.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and eggs.
5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, scraping the bowl to ensure even mixing. The batter will be thicker than usual cake batter.
6. Layer the Cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan. Spread half of the apples evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the apples and spread the remaining apple mixture on top.
7. Cover and Pressure Cook: Cover the cake pan with a paper towel and then tightly with aluminum foil. Place the cake pan on a trivet in the Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot.
8. Cook: Pressure cook for 60 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release.
9. Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the trivet and cake pan. Remove the aluminum foil and paper towel. Let the cake cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Note: 

For a traditional oven method, bake the cake in a preheated 350°F oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Adjust baking time based on your oven and the size of your cake pan.