Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients:
- 4 medium Honeycrisp apples, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1-1/2 pounds)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts, toasted
Frosting:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts, toasted
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar and canola oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt.
4. Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the sugar mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
5. Fold in the chopped apples and toasted walnuts.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
8. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
9. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and brown sugar, beating until fluffy.
10. Mix in vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice.
11. Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake and sprinkle with toasted walnuts.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: Approximately 380 kcal per serving | Servings: 12 servings
Tips:
Use Honeycrisp apples for a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that enhances the spice flavors.
Toast walnuts gently in a dry skillet to bring out their natural oils and deepen their flavor before adding to the batter and frosting.