Apple Walnut Delight Cake
Apple Walnut Delight Cake – why is this cake a delight? One taste of my mother’s recipe for this moist cake studded with sweet apples will tell you why.
Ever since I was a little girl, my mother would make this Apple Walnut Cake come apple season, and now I do the same. Why is this cake a “delight?” One taste of my mother’s recipe for this moist cake studded with sweet apples will tell you why.
Note: This post first appeared on October 6, 2012, and the recipe was first shared on January 26, 2011. The recipe for the Apple Walnut Cake has been updated from the archives with improved kitchen notes, recipe annotation, and updated photographs. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
Seven Years
I kissed my son goodnight with a tinge of sadness. He turned a year older today, and in another blink of an eye, I said goodbye to one more piece of his childhood. Seven years, and it flew by so fast. Too fast. Seven years of getting to know this little man, understanding his little heart of gold.
I have found a sensitive soul, a thoughtful boy who surprises me with notes that read, “Hop you fell bettr” minutes after I tell him I woke up not feeling too well.
A philosophical boy who compares Santa to angels.
A compassionate child who thinks of my mom and says, If I could meet your mom, I would love her the same amount as you. Because I imagine she’s the same kind of niceness.
Well, my dear boy, I know she would love you, too.
Apple Walnut Cake – Her Recipe
The kids have been asking lots of questions lately about her. They yearn to know her better, to understand how she battled cancer, and who took care of us children.
I told them how she loved to dance and joke around, how she was silly and pretty cool to hang out with. I see a lot of my children in her. He has her heart of gold, she has her spirit and spunk.
It seemed like a good time to make Apple Walnut Delight Cake again.
I’ve made Apple Walnut Cake for you before, but I thought I would dig it from the archives. It’s always good, and even better when shared with friends. We packaged some up and walked some down the street, to our neighbors. I know she would have done the same.
Note: This post first appeared on October 6, 2012, and the recipe was first shared on January 26, 2011. The recipe for the Apple Walnut Cake has been updated from the archives with improved kitchen notes, recipe annotation, and updated photographs. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen.
EMBRACE FALL WITH MORE APPLE RECIPES
Apple Oatmeal Blender Waffles
Apple Stuffed Belgian Waffles
Double Dipped Chocolate Caramel Apples
Persimmon Apple Crumb Pie
Applesauce Chia Muffins
Apple Walnut Delight Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups sugar I like to use 1 cup white granulated and 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cups peeled and 1/2-inch chopped apples (see note on apples below)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts omit if desired, and increase apple quantity to 4 cups, plus more for garnishing
For the glaze:
- 1-2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Apple Walnut Cake
- Preheat oven to 325° Butter and flour a 10-inch fluted cake pan or tube pan.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well.
- Sift flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; add gradually to sugar, butter and egg mixture until incorporated. Do not over mix.
- Stir in apples and walnuts.
- Spoon into prepared cake pan. Bake at 325° for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Release the cake onto a plate and let it cool while you make the glaze.
Glaze:
- Combine confectioners sugar with lemon juice and milk and whisk well until smooth. Use 1 cup of sugar for a thin glaze or 2 cups for a thick glaze, depending on your preference.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cake and garnish with chopped walnuts, if you wish!
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
OMG, this looks delicious. On my bucket list for fall cakes to make!
I hope you get to make it soon!
So pretty, Liren! A gorgeous cake for fall!
Thank you so much, Laura! xo
What a great time of year for this recipe. Fall and apples go great together. I think I would like to drink some hot apple cider with this too. Thanks for sharing your story.
Oh, a mug of hot cider would be perfect with a slice of this cake, Molly!
Awww your son sounds gorgeous Liren. Happy birthday to him. And this cake looks divine. My husband would adore it as apple cake is his absolute favourite.
Liren, your posts are never just about food and I hope one day, your children realise what a treasury of love and beauty your blog really is.
What a beautiful story to go with a beautiful cake. I adore everything about apples….. and cake.
What a sweet lovely boy. Happy birthday! Hope he had tons of fun with this delicious recipe.
Loved the story. Made me think of my mother and some of the great desserts she made for us. QUESTION: Do you need to peel the apples?
Hi Verna, thank you so much, I’m glad you loved the story and it reminded me of your mother. To answer your question, yes, I do peel the apples! Enjoy the cake!
What a delightful little cake! Yes, it is indeed perfect as gifts for friends!
Your son is soooooo adorable. Don’t kids just melt your heart with the things they say and do? Happy birthday to your boy!
Happy birthday to your son. He sounds like the biggest sweetheart (just like his mom).
What a sweet post, Liren – definitely brought a smile to my face :). As for the cake, this is perfect for a simple Sunday treat. Wish I had a wedge to go with my afternoon coffee!
This post just warms my heart! What a sweet son you have and I know that you cherish each and everyday with him, especially on his special day. I am sure your Mom is smiling from above and sending her love to you and your family. I remember this cake from your 1st post and it looks still as super delicious!!! Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!!
Oh, what a sweet boy and what a sweet relationship you have. I hope he looks back on these posts when he gets older.
Your rendition about love, memory and family ties tugged my heart. Love you and your sweet boy.
Oh, this gave me a tear in my eye about your mom. I know little Ryder said to me one day, how happy I’ll be when I go to heaven because I’ll see my brother. Children are amazing and innocent and yes enjoy every minute of every day. It goes so fast. This cake will give them one more memory.
That cake looks great, but it is your story that touched my heart. Perhaps it is this time of year, but I have found myself very sentimental too. I try to cherish all my time with my mom and I miss her mom all the time. Your son sounds like a sweet young man!