Apple Walnut Spice Cake – Moist, Fragrant, and Perfectly Spiced

Apple Walnut Spice Cake is the ultimate dessert for cozy gatherings and festive occasions. Bursting with tender apples, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices, this cake is moist, flavorful, and comforting in every bite. It’s simple to make yet impressive enough to serve at family dinners, holidays, or even as a sweet afternoon treat with a cup of tea or coffee.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Warm & Comforting: Cinnamon and nutmeg bring out cozy, fall-inspired flavors.
Nutty Crunch: Walnuts add texture and richness to every bite.
Moist & Flavorful: Fresh apples keep the cake soft and naturally sweet.
Versatile Dessert: Great on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts
  • Optional glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a bundt pan.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.

4. Add Apples & Walnuts
Fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Gently stir in diced apples and walnuts.

5. Bake
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Cool & Serve
Let cool slightly. Drizzle with optional glaze or dust with powdered sugar before slicing.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 210
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fat: 9g
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g

Tips for Success

  • Use Sweet Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji work beautifully for natural sweetness.
  • Don’t Overmix: Stir gently to keep the cake light and tender.
  • Toast the Walnuts: Enhances their flavor and adds extra crunch.
  • Make It Festive: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or drizzle of caramel sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of fresh apples and warm spices creates a naturally sweet, fragrant cake, while walnuts add crunch and depth. Applesauce keeps the cake moist with less oil, making it a lighter yet indulgent dessert.

Apple Walnut Spice Cake is a cozy, moist, and flavorful dessert that captures the essence of fall in every slice. With its tender apples, nutty crunch, and warm spices, it’s a cake that brings comfort and joy to any table. Perfect for gatherings or quiet moments, this cake is sure to become a seasonal favorite.

Apple Walnut Spice Cake – Moist, Fragrant, and Perfectly Spiced

Servings

12

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

210

kcal
Total time

1

hour 

Apple Walnut Spice Cake is the ultimate dessert for cozy gatherings and festive occasions. Bursting with tender apples, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices, this cake is moist, flavorful, and comforting in every bite. It’s simple to make yet impressive enough to serve at family dinners, holidays, or even as a sweet afternoon treat with a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)

  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts

  • Optional glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a bundt pan.
  • Mix Dry Ingredients
    In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Combine Wet Ingredients
    In another bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Add Apples & Walnuts
    Fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Gently stir in diced apples and walnuts.
  • Bake
    Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool & Serve
    Let cool slightly. Drizzle with optional glaze or dust with powdered sugar before slicing.

Notes

  • Use Sweet Apples: Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji work beautifully for natural sweetness.
    Don’t Overmix: Stir gently to keep the cake light and tender.
    Toast the Walnuts: Enhances their flavor and adds extra crunch.
    Make It Festive: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or drizzle of caramel sauce.

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