Fall in Love with Our Washington Apple Cake Recipe
As a lover of all things sweet, there’s nothing quite like a freshly baked cake to satisfy my cravings. And in my pursuit for the perfect cake recipe, I stumbled upon something truly special – the Washington Apple Cake Recipe.
This cake is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. It’s filled with chunks of juicy apples, crunchy pecans, and infused with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. The flavors melt together to create a symphony in your mouth that will leave you craving more.
And what’s even better is that this cake recipe is incredibly easy to follow. Even those who are new to baking can whip up this delicious dessert in no time. All you need are some simple ingredients and a bit of patience.
But the real magic of this recipe lies in its history. The Washington Apple Cake is a tribute to the state of Washington, where apples grow abundantly and are celebrated every year during the apple harvest season.
So, whether you’re an apple aficionado or just looking for something new to impress your friends and family, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Trust me; once you’ve tasted this Apple Cake, it will be hard to go back to any other kind of cake!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Folks, let me tell you all about this Washington Apple Cake recipe of mine. If there’s one thing that captures the spirit of autumn, it is this cake. The sweet and tart flavors of apples blend beautifully with the warmth of cinnamon and pecans. This cake recipe is a delightful twist on a classic yellow cake mix, but with an extra kick of flavor from instant vanilla pudding. Trust me – this cake will surely become one of your favorites!
What sets this recipe apart, you may ask? For starters, it’s incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry and some fresh apples, you can have a gorgeous and delicious dessert ready in no time at all. Plus, the aroma coming from your oven as this cake bakes will have your whole house smelling like heaven.
But perhaps the best part about this recipe is its versatility. Serve it up as a dessert after dinner or pair it with your morning coffee for a sweet breakfast treat – either way, this cake is perfect for any occasion! And if you’re feeling adventurous, try switching out the apples for other fruits like pears or peaches to create a new spin on this classic recipe.
In summary, from its simplicity to its versatility to its unbeatable taste, there are countless reasons why you’ll fall in love with my Washington Apple Cake recipe. So go ahead and give it a try—your taste buds will thank you!
Ingredient List
Here is a list of ingredients you’ll need to make the Washington Apple Cake Recipe:
For the cake:
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 1 package (4 oz) Jell-O® vanilla flavor instant pudding
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups chopped apples (peeled and cored)
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Note: You can also use a yellow cake mix with pudding, if you prefer. If so, reduce the water to 1 cup, eliminate the pudding mix, and add an additional egg, for a total of 5 eggs. Also, be sure to use a two-layer size yellow cake mix.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, let’s get to making this Washington Apple Cake happen. Follow the recipe below and you’ll be enjoying a slice of heaven in no time.
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Before we get started, we want to prep the stars of this cake – our beautiful apples! Grab 2 medium-sized granny smith apples and peel them using a sharp peeler. Core them and thinly slice them into even slices with a mandolin, food processor, or a sharp knife. Once sliced, toss them with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to prevent discoloration, and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine 1 package of yellow cake mix, 1 package of vanilla-flavored instant pudding mix (4 oz.), 4 eggs, 1 cup water, and ½ cup vegetable oil. Mix on low speed until combined then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Goodies
Next up is adding in those delicious extras that will take this cake to the next level. In another bowl, mix together â…” cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 cups peeled apples until well-coated.
To your batter mixture above on Step 2, stir in â…” cup pecans (roughly chopped), cinnamon-sugar coated apple slices created earlier above and stir until well mixed.
Step 4: Bake The Cake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Pour in the batter evenly between both pans then bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 5: The Finishing Touches
Once the cakes are done baking take them out from the oven and leave them on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Release both cakes from their pans onto a wire rack lined with parchment paper to fully cool down.
While waiting for it to cool completely you can start making your Cream Cheese Frosting (if desired) by beating together cream cheese, butter , confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
Once cooled down completely you can now assemble your cake by frosting each layer with your Cream Cheese Frosting mixture then top it off with thinly slices of caramelized apple if you prefer it sweeter or more enriched.
Now enjoy a slice!
Substitutions and Variations
For those who love experimenting with ingredients, here are some substitutions and variations that you can try with this apple cake recipe:
– Instead of using apples, try using pears or a mix of both for a different flavor.
– Swap out the pecans with walnuts or almonds to vary the nuttiness level.
– Use pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon to give your cake a fall twist.
– Add raisins, dried cranberries or apricots for an extra chewy texture and fruity sweetness.
– For a healthier version, use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and reduce the sugar by half.
– If you do not have yellow cake mix on hand, use white cake mix instead and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to give it more flavor.
– To make your cake more festive, add chocolate chips or drizzle caramel sauce over the top before serving.
Remember that substitutions are not always easy to make and can result in unexpected textures or flavors. Be sure to adjust the recipe accordingly if you decide to try any substitutions.
In conclusion, don’t be afraid to play around with this recipe and create different variations of this Washington apple cake. With a little experimentation, you might just end up creating a new family favorite.
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving this Washington Apple Cake, the possibilities are truly endless. I love enjoying a thick slice of this cake with a hot cup of coffee in the morning, but it can easily be served as a delicious dessert any time of day.
For a special treat, I sometimes pair this cake with Captain Whidbey’s apple sauce and whipped cream. The sweetness of the apple sauce perfectly complements the spicy cinnamon flavors in the cake, while the whipped cream lends a light and airy contrast.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try pairing it with some caramelized apples or even drizzling some chocolate on top for an extra decadent dessert? Another option is to serve it alongside some vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat that your friends and family will absolutely love.
Whether you choose to serve this cake as a breakfast treat or as a dessert at your next dinner party, one thing is for sure: it’s bound to impress everyone who takes a bite. So go ahead and get creative with how you choose to pair and serve this delicious Washington Apple Cake!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you’re prepping ahead for a party or want to make some extra batches, the Washington Apple Cake recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. To store, wrap the cake tightly with cling wrap or place it in an airtight container.
For make-ahead, you can prepare the frosting separately and chill it overnight. When ready to serve, frost the cake and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before slicing.
To reheat, place individual slices of cooled cake on a plate and microwave them on high for 20-30 seconds. This will make the cake moist and bring out its delightful flavors.
It’s important not to freeze the whole cake as it may lead to loss of texture and quality over time. But you can try freezing individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, so you can enjoy them later.
In addition, when reheating, dust some confectioners’ sugar over the top for a sweet and irresistible presentation. Trust me, this cake is best served warm with cream cheese frosting and a hot cup of coffee or tea!
Tips for Perfect Results
As an experienced baker, I have learned a few tips and tricks along the way to ensure that every cake comes out perfectly. Here are some tips to keep in mind when making this delicious Washington Apple Cake recipe:
1. Use fresh ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh and high-quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor and texture. Fresh apples, for example, will taste much better than canned ones.
2. Measure ingredients accurately: Measuring ingredients accurately is crucial in baking. Follow the measurements carefully and use a kitchen scale if you have one.
3. Don’t overmix: Overmixing can cause cakes to become tough and dry. Mix until just combined and no lumps remain.
4. Adjust baking time if needed: Oven temperatures can vary, so make sure to check your cake’s doneness with a toothpick before taking it out of the oven. If needed, adjust the baking time accordingly.
5. Let the cake cool completely before frosting: Letting the cake cool completely allows it to set properly, making it easier to frost without any crumbs or pieces falling off.
6. Make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time: You can prepare the cream cheese frosting a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to frost your cake.
7. Store leftovers properly: To keep your apple cake fresh for longer, store it covered or wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to create a delicious Washington Apple Cake that is as beautiful as it is tasty!
Bottom Line
As a baker, I know for sure that the Washington Apple Cake Recipe is one that shouldn’t be missed. It’s an incredibly easy-to-make cake that can be customized in any way you like, and it’s deliciously moist, packed with juicy apples, aromatic cinnamon, and crunchy pecans. Not to mention that it has a beautiful golden color that will make your mouth water.
If you’re a fan of apple cakes or just want to try something new, this recipe is an excellent starting point. And the best part? You can enjoy it at any time of day and with any meal. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how amazing this cake is? Trust me; you won’t regret it!
Washington Apple Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 5 medium apples, peeled cored and thinly sliced
Icing
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Butter a 9x13" cake pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs at high speed until thick and light in color.
- Combine sugar and oil and beat into eggs.
- Stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
- Add to egg mixture along with vanilla.
- Stir in nuts.
- Spread apple slices in bottom of buttered cake pan.
- Pour batter over apples, spreading to cover.
- Bake at 350 degrees 1 hour or until top is pale golden and apples are cooked.
- Remove from oven.
- Cool cake in pan on wire rack.
- When completely cool top with cream cheese icing.
- Cream Cheese Icing:.
- Beat cream cheese until fluffy.
- Beat in 1/4 c melted butter.
- Stir in 1-3/4 c confectioners sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice.
- Spread over cooled cake.
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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.