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Apple Spice Cake with Walnuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 126 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/apple-spice-cake-with-walnuts-recipe/