Homemade Apple Cake with Cinnamon and Walnuts
Homemade Apple Cake with Cinnamon and Walnuts is a moist, tender cake that perfectly balances the sweetness of fresh apples, the warm spice of cinnamon, and the satisfying crunch of walnuts. This comforting dessert is easy to make and ideal for breakfasts, teas, or holiday gatherings, offering a wholesome yet indulgent treat.
- Author: Emilly
- 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: Vegetarian
Fruit and Nuts
- 3 cups fresh apples (peeled, cored, and diced; ideally Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus extra for tossing apples)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (lightly toasted)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to toss apples to prevent browning)
- Prepare your apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent browning and enhance flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, white sugar, and brown sugar until evenly combined.
- Cream butter and eggs: In a separate bowl, beat softened butter with eggs and vanilla extract until pale and fluffy, forming the base of your batter.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense.
- Add apples and walnuts: Fold in the cinnamon-coated diced apples and chopped walnuts evenly throughout the batter to ensure perfect flavor and texture in every bite.
- Bake to perfection: Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow the cake to cool before slicing, letting flavors meld and the texture set. Serve warm or at room temperature for best enjoyment.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp apples for a juicier and moister cake.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to keep the crumb light.
- Dice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent sinking.
- Lightly toast walnuts beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor.
- Check doneness using a toothpick inserted in the center and avoid overbaking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: apple cake, cinnamon cake, walnut cake, homemade apple cake, moist apple cake, spiced apple dessert, easy apple cake recipe