Holiday Apple Cake
Capture the essence of the holiday season with this irresistible Holiday Apple Cake—a delightful blend of warm spices, tender chunks of fresh apples, and a buttery, moist crumb. Perfect for cozy gatherings, this easy-to-make dessert is infused with cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a rich, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. Optional chopped walnuts or pecans add a delightful crunch, while a light dusting of powdered sugar offers an elegant, festive touch. Ready in just over an hour, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for holiday feasts, casual coffee breaks, or as a showstopping centerpiece for your dessert table. Whether served warm or at room temperature, this apple cake will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of the holidays.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 0.75 cup whole milk
- 2 cups apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 0.5 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using) using a spatula.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3650 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 155.0 g | 199% | |
| Saturated Fat | 70.8 g | 354% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 652 mg | 217% | |
| Sodium | 2344 mg | 102% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 529.6 g | 193% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.2 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 314.0 g | ||
| Protein | 55.9 g | 112% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.1 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 540 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 16.2 mg | 90% | |
| Potassium | 1536 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
