Harvest Apple Spice Cake

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 12
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Welcome to a deliciously cozy autumn treat: Harvest Apple Spice Cake! Packed with warm spices and juicy apples, this cake is perfect for those crisp fall days when you're craving something sweet and comforting.

Ingredients for Harvest Apple Spice Cake

The base of this cake is all-purpose flour, providing structure and stability. Granulated sugar and light brown sugar add sweetness, with the latter offering a hint of molasses flavor that complements the spices. Baking soda helps the cake rise, while a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves infuse it with warm, cozy aromas. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors. Melted unsalted butter adds richness, while eggs provide moisture and bind everything together. A splash of vanilla extract rounds out the flavor profile. The real stars are the diced apples (Granny Smith is best for their tartness) and chopped walnuts for a bit of crunch. Finally, caramel sauce drizzled on top gives a luscious finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness and ability to hold shape during baking.
  • Chop your apples and walnuts to a uniform size for even distribution.
  • If you prefer a more pronounced spice flavor, add an extra dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
  • For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts.

Serving Suggestions

This apple spice cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For an extra cozy treat, serve it warm from the oven with a cup of chai tea or a glass of apple cider. It also makes a great dessert for a fall gathering or a casual Sunday brunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different types of apples?
Yes, you can use any apples you have on hand, but tart varieties like Granny Smith work best for balance.
How should I store the cake?
Keep it covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Can I freeze this cake?
Absolutely! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Harvest Apple Spice Cake Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F, and give your 9x13-inch baking pan a good greasing. You don't want your cake to stick! Now, grab a large bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients: the flour, both sugars, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Make sure everything is nicely combined.

In a separate bowl, mix your melted butter with the eggs and vanilla extract. Once that's smooth, pour it into the dry ingredients. Stir until you have a nice, thick batter. It might look a little dry, but don't worry—that's where the apples come in. Fold in the diced apples and walnuts gently, making sure they're evenly distributed without overmixing.

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing it out with a spatula so it bakes evenly. Pop it into the oven and let it work its magic for about 45 minutes. You'll know it's ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, drizzle that luscious caramel sauce over the top while it's still warm. This will allow the caramel to seep into the cake a bit, making it even more delightful. Let it cool a bit before slicing and serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Brimming with seasonal flavors: apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Easy to make with simple ingredients you probably have at home.
  • Moist and tender texture that stays fresh for days.
  • Perfectly drizzled with rich caramel sauce for an extra touch of decadence.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups diced apples (preferably Granny Smith)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup caramel sauce

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract and pour into the dry ingredients.
4. Fold in the diced apples and walnuts until evenly distributed.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Drizzle with caramel sauce while the cake is still warm, then let it cool before serving.

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