Apple Spice Cake with Walnuts Recipe
Introduction
This Apple Cake is a warm and cozy treat packed with tender chunks of fresh apples and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for autumn or any time you crave a comforting, fruity dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 3 cups apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
- Powdered sugar, optional for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or bundt pan to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Mix in the sour cream or Greek yogurt until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined—be careful not to overmix.
- Step 5: Gently fold in the diced apples and nuts if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Allow the cake to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar or topping with cream cheese frosting, if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nicely balanced sweetness and texture.
- Add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries for extra fruity flavor.
- Swap walnuts for pecans or omit nuts altogether if you prefer a nut-free cake.
- For a richer dessert, spread cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake instead of powdered sugar.
- Make this cake gluten-free by substituting the flour with a gluten-free baking mix.
Storage
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds or until heated through. The cake also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of apples for this cake?
Yes, you can use any apples you have on hand. Tart varieties like Granny Smith provide a nice contrast to the sweetness, but sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp work well too.
Is it okay to substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt?
Absolutely. Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream with similar results, adding moisture and a slight tang to the cake.
PrintApple Spice Cake with Walnuts Recipe
This moist and flavorful Apple Cake is a perfect treat for fall or any time you crave a comforting dessert. Loaded with tender chunks of apples and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, it combines a buttery, soft crumb with a delightful fruity twist. Optional nuts add a pleasant crunch, while a dusting of powdered sugar or a cream cheese frosting can enhance its appeal. Easy to make and baked in a single pan, this classic apple cake is ideal for sharing with family and friends.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Additional
- 3 cups apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or a bundt pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aeration helps give the cake a tender crumb. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine batter: Stir in the sour cream or Greek yogurt to the wet mixture until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture, mixing just until incorporated to avoid overmixing. Gently fold in the peeled and diced apples and, if using, the chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar or top with cream cheese frosting if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
- Folding in apples gently helps maintain moisture and texture of the cake.
- You can substitute nuts with raisins or omit them for a nut-free version.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
- For extra flavor, try adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to the apples before folding them into the batter to prevent browning.
- The cake keeps well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Keywords: apple cake, easy apple dessert, cinnamon apple cake, fall dessert, moist apple cake
