Delicious Apple Walnut Cake Recipe for Dessert Lovers
Are you looking for a sweet, sticky and satisfying Fall dessert? Look no further than this Sticky Apple Walnut Cake recipe. This cake is everything you need on a chilly Autumn evening – rich, moist, and bursting with the flavors of fresh apples and walnuts, all bathed in a decadent sticky caramel glaze.
Bake this gorgeous cake for your next celebration or make it to satisfy your sweet craving on a lazy day. This recipe can be served as a slice of delicious snack cake or garnished with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream for an indulging finish to any meal.
So why settle for an ordinary apple cake when you can whip up this tempting Sticky Apple Walnut Cake that will have your guests licking their plates clean? Keep reading to learn more about this enchanting dessert and how you too can achieve perfect results every time with my detailed recipe and tips.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This sticky apple walnut cake is not your ordinary dessert. It’s the kind of cake that will make your taste buds dance with joy. The combination of fresh apples, crunchy walnuts, and gooey caramel is simply irresistible. Here are the reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
First and foremost, this cake is perfect for fall. It exudes all the cozy vibes that we associate with this magical season. The warm cinnamon aroma wafting through the kitchen will make you feel like you’re surrounded by falling leaves, pumpkin patches and crisp air.
Secondly, it’s not overly sweet. Most cakes tend to be cloyingly sweet, but this one strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory. The caramel glaze on top adds just the right amount of richness without being too overpowering.
Thirdly, it’s versatile. You can serve it as a dessert after dinner or as a snack cake in the afternoon with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. It also makes for an excellent breakfast or brunch option when you want something indulgent but not too heavy.
Lastly, it’s easy to make. You don’t need any special skills or equipment to whip up this delicious cake. All you need are a few basic ingredients, a mixing bowl and a baking pan. Even if you’re not an experienced baker, you can achieve great results with this recipe.
So whether you plan to make it for a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary party, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth craving on a cozy night in, this sticky apple walnut cake is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe book.
Ingredient List
Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need for this delicious Sticky Apple Walnut Cake Recipe:
For the Apple Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 cups chunky apple, peeled and chopped (preferably Granny Smith)
- 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
For the Caramel Glaze:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Powdered sugar for dusting
The Recipe How-To
To start with this apple walnut cake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking dish and line with parchment paper.
Preparing the Apples
In a large bowl, mix the chunky peeled and grated Granny Smith apple, 1 cup (200 g) white sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, juice of 1 lemon, and 1 tsp baking soda.
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the liquid mixture in two additions while mixing on low speed until just combined. Mix in the coarsely chopped walnuts until well combined.
Baking
Pour the thick batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Making Caramel Glaze
While waiting for the cake to bake, prepare the caramel glaze. In a medium saucepan over medium heat combine 1/4 cup (60ml) of corn syrup, light brown sugar, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until fully melted and well combined. Once it comes to a boil add up to 3 tbsp fresh apple juice if needed to thin it out.
Sticky Apple Walnut Cake Glazed
When finished baking, let cool in the pan for a bit before removing from it. Drizzle sticky caramel all over its top surface making sure it saturates into all the nooks and crannies of this delicious apple walnut cake.
Enjoy this warm snack cake on its own or try serving it with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top! It makes an excellent fall dessert for gatherings with friends or family.
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to baking, there is always room for experimentation. This apple walnut cake recipe welcomes various substitutions and variations that suit different dietary needs and personal preferences.
For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend. You can also make this recipe vegan by replacing the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, and using vegan butter instead of unsalted butter.
If you’re not a fan of walnuts, feel free to use any other type of nuts such as pecans or almonds. Adding raisins or chopped dates will give your cake an extra burst of sweetness and texture.
To switch up the flavors, you can use different types of apples such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji. You can also try making this cake with pears or peaches for a twist on the classic recipe.
For a decadent touch, drizzle some caramel sauce or ganache on top of the cake instead of the powdered sugar glaze. You could even turn this recipe into a toffee apple upside-down cake by adding caramel between the layers of chunky apple and then inverting it onto a plate to serve.
Whether you’re making a loaf cake for breakfast or a sophisticated drip cake for a special occasion, this sticky apple walnut cake recipe is versatile enough to handle all your variations and substitutions while maintaining its delicious quality.
Serving and Pairing
The Sticky Apple Walnut Cake is a crowd-pleaser that can be served as a fall dessert, afternoon snack or even a special occasion breakfast cake.
To keep things simple, you can serve it as it is, warm or chilled with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream. However, for those who love caramel flavor, try drizzling some caramel glaze on top and give it an extra sticky kick.
For the adventurous folk out there, pairing Sticky Apple Walnut Cake with cream cheese frosting can make for an exciting combination too. The tangy and sweet flavor of the cream cheese brings out the caramel notes of the cake while complementing the crunchy walnuts.
If you’re looking to add some seasonal flair to this classic recipe, try serving it alongside a date apple salad with lemon juice and cinnamon dressing. Alternatively, showcasing the apple walnut theme of this recipe can be done by serving fresh sliced apples and toasted walnuts on top of each slice.
No matter how you choose to serve your Sticky Apple Walnut Cake, make sure to take a moment and soak up its caramel aroma before digging in!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
When it comes to this sticky apple walnut cake recipe, you’ll be glad to know that you can prepare it ahead of time and store it without compromising its flavor and texture. If you need to make the cake a day or two earlier, simply allow it to cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator.
Once you’re ready to serve the cake, remove it from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before reheating in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. This will help bring the cake back to its original freshness, moistness, and flavor.
If you have any leftover cake, you can also freeze it for later consumption. To do this, wrap individual slices tightly with plastic wrap or place the whole cake in an airtight container before freezing. When you’re ready to use it, just thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a few hours before reheating or serving as desired.
In general, this sticky apple walnut cake can last up to 5 days if stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature. However, it’s always best to consume it within the first two days for optimal freshness and flavor.
Whether you’re making this fall dessert as a snack cake, birthday cake, or pudding cake, these tips will help ensure that your sticky caramel apple walnut treat maintains its delicious taste and texture even after preparing and storing ahead of time.
Tips for Perfect Results
Making the perfect sticky apple walnut cake requires precision and attention to detail. To achieve the best results, follow these tips and tricks:
1. Use fresh ingredients:
Always use fresh apples and walnuts for the best flavor. Fresh ingredients will enhance the taste of the cake.
2. Properly measure dry ingredients:
Don’t scoop flour with a measuring cup, as this can result in using too much flour. Instead, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level off with a knife.
3. Room temperature ingredients:
To ensure all ingredients mix together evenly, make sure that all your ingredients are at room temperature before starting your recipe.
4. Grease your pan well:
To prevent sticking, use cooking spray or butter to grease your baking pan properly.
5. Don’t overmix batter:
Overmixing can yield a tough and rubbery cake. To avoid this, mix just until all ingredients are incorporated.
6. Let it cool down:
Allowing the cake to cool down completely before applying caramel glaze makes it easier for the glaze to stick.
7. Use tart apples:
The Granny Smith apples are recommended for this recipe because they hold up well during baking and add a tart flavor.
By following these tips, you will be able to make the perfect sticky apple walnut cake every time!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this sticky apple walnut cake recipe is truly a showstopper. It is the perfect fall dessert, snack cake or birthday cake. The beautiful mixture of flavors combined with the caramel glaze and chunky apple pieces make it an indulgent treat that you will want to savor until the very last bite.
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. It can be served as a loaf cake, drip cake or pudding cake. You can also switch up the type of apples you use or add in some extra spice to make it your own.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to making the perfect sticky apple walnut cake. Impress your friends and family with this sweet and savory treat at your next dinner party or enjoy it all to yourself on a cozy fall evening. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become a staple in your baking repertoire. So go ahead and give it a shot – Happy Baking!
Sticky Apple Walnut Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups coarsely chopped peeled granny smith apples (about 4 apples)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup Crisco cooking oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
- crisco nonstick cooking spray, with flour
LEMON GLAZE
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine apples and sugar.
- Combine flour and next 3 ingredients.
- Beat eggs, oil and vanilla in a large bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 minute.
- Add flour alternately with apple mixture to oil mixture.
- Beat at low speed until blended after each addition, stopping to scrape bottom and down sides of bowl.
- Stir in walnuts.
- Pour batter into a aluminum foil-lined 13x9-inch pan coated with baking spray.
- Bake at 350* for 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Let cool completely on wire rack in pan.
- Drizzle evenly with Lemon Glaze.
- To prepare glaze whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Use immediately.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Steven is a chef by heritage, so it’s no wonder why baking is such a big part of who he is. To share his passion for all things sweet, he created cookiesncrepes.com. It’s the perfect platform to indulge in delicious treats, all with a sprinkle of his signature flare.