Apple Walnut Delight Cake frosted with glaze and displayed on a wooden serving board.

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.

Apple Walnut Delight Cake frosted with glaze and displayed on a wooden serving board.
Apple Walnut Delight Cake

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.

Apple Walnut Delight Cake frosted with glaze and displayed on a wooden serving board.

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.

Bundt on wooden round.
A view from the top of frosted Bundt.

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.

Apple Walnut Cake with apples in the background.

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.

A slice of Apple Walnut Delight Cake with the remaining cake in the background.

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

Ever since I was a little girl, my mother would make Apple Walnut Delight Cake come apple season, and now I do the same. I always wonder why “delight” is in the recipe title, but after the first bite, I understand why. If you have any allergies or aversions to nuts, by all means, omit the walnut, as I have here. The cake is just as wonderful without them.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 775kcal

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

What kinds of apples work well in this apple cake? Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, SweeTango all work well. I love a combination of Gala/Honeycrisp/SweeTango!
Prefer to skip the walnuts? Omit if desired, and increase apple quantity to 4 cups.
This recipe for Apple Walnut Delight Cake first appeared here on January 26, 2011.

Nutrition

Calories: 775kcal | Carbohydrates: 110g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 580mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 70g | Vitamin A: 824IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Molly

    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.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer @ Delicieux

    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.

    Reply
  3. Verna

    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?

    Reply
    • liren

      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!

      Reply
  4. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

    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!

    Reply
  5. Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet}

    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!!

    Reply
  6. angela@spinachtiger

    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.

    Reply
  7. Laura Dembowski

    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!

    Reply
Kitchen Confidante®
1.3k