Walnut Apple Cake
Tender diced apples and crunchy walnuts fill this cinnamon-scented cake from edge to center. Mix the thick batter by hand and bake it in a pan for golden edges and a moist, old-fashioned crumb.

Recipe link
Prep time15 min
Cook time55 min
Total time1 hr 40 min
- Course
- Dessert
- Cuisine
- Granny's Recipes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Est. calories / serving
- 300
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 4 cups apples — peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup walnuts — chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon — ground
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon fine salt — fine
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch metal baking pan thoroughly.
- Prepare the Apples: Place the peeled, cored, diced apples in a large mixing bowl. Break the eggs over the apples and stir with a sturdy mixing spoon until the fruit is evenly coated.4 cups apples, 2 large eggs
- Add the Flavor Ingredients: Stir in sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, and vanilla extract until evenly distributed.2 cups granulated sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 cup walnuts, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Add the Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the apple mixture, then sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the flour. Fold just until no dry pockets remain. The batter will be very thick; do not overmix.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ¾ tsp fine salt
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan with the back of the spoon. Bake 45–55 minutes, beginning to check at 45 minutes, until the top is deep golden, the center springs back lightly, the edges pull slightly from the pan, and a toothpick inserted through a cake portion rather than an apple piece comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Cool and Serve: Place the pan on a wire cooling rack and cool at least 30 minutes before slicing. For the cleanest slices, let the cake cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Apples: Use firm baking apples that keep their shape. A mix of tart and sweet apples gives the cake the best balance of flavor and texture.
- Batter: The batter will seem unusually thick, but the apples release moisture as the cake bakes. Do not add extra liquid.
- Walnuts: Toasting the walnuts is optional, but it gives the cake deeper flavor and a little more crunch.
- Make Ahead and Storage: The cake tastes even richer the next morning. Keep it tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, then refrigerate. Freeze airtight slices for up to 6 weeks; thaw before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- . Classic Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting, vanilla ice cream, or lightly sweetened whipped cream
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
Yield
1 cake (9x13-inch pan) — Serving size: 1 generous slice
- Calories
- 300
- Carbohydrates
- 56 g
- Protein
- 5 g
- Fat
- 7.5 g
- Saturated Fat
- 0.9 g
- Cholesterol
- 30 mg
- Sodium
- 270 mg
- Fiber
- 2.5 g
- Total Sugars
- 38 g
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Vegetable peeler
- Chef’s knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Sturdy mixing spoon
- 9x13-inch metal baking pan (Greased and floured.)
- Wire cooling rack
- Oven