Homemade Apple Cake with Cinnamon and Walnuts
Homemade Apple Cake with Cinnamon and Walnuts is a cozy and delicious dessert combining tender apple pieces, warm cinnamon spice, and crunchy toasted walnuts. Perfect for fall and winter occasions, this moist and flavorful cake uses simple pantry ingredients and is easy enough for bakers of all levels to make and enjoy.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 65-70 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Fruits and Nuts
- 3 cups firm apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for tossing apples)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (toasted, optional)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for variation)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sweets and Fats
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or plant-based butter for vegan option)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to enhance flavor and prevent browning.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly combine the spices and leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer or hand whisk, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until light, fluffy, and slightly pale, creating a tender crumb base.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure good emulsification, then stir in the vanilla extract for aroma.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing and a dense cake texture.
- Incorporate Apples and Walnuts: Gently fold in the spiced apple pieces and chopped walnuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into a greased or lined cake pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely for easier slicing.
Notes
- Choose crisp apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to keep the fruit tender but not mushy.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent a tough cake texture.
- Toast walnuts beforehand to intensify flavor and add crunch.
- Check the cake doneness a few minutes before the timer to avoid overbaking.
- For extra sweetness and a nice crust, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: apple cake, cinnamon cake, walnut cake, homemade apple dessert, fall dessert, cozy cake, gluten-free apple cake