Aug 2009

Apple Spice Cake

My boy’s been in Canada for the past week attending a solar physics conference. Although I missed him quite a lot, being home alone definitely had its merits. It was a pleasure listening to Fergie at full volume without any jeers and even better baking peanut buttery desserts without having to consider a certain someone’s negative sentiments. But now that I’ve had my solo fun, it’s time to welcome The Astronomer back home. And what better way to say “Hello, darling!” than with a warm cake fresh out of the oven.

When I stumbled upon this recipe for the “best apple cake of the whole wide world” at The Cookie Shop earlier in the week, I knew it would be perfect. The Astronomer has a weakness for all things cinnamon and a deep affinity for Bundt molds. Down in South Carolina where this recipe originates, the cake is served with a drizzling of caramel sauce. We were very happy Yankees eating the cake in its natural glory.

  • Nonstick cooking spray with flour
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground cloves (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 to 3 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (3 cups)
  • 1 cup chopped assorted nuts, such as pecans and walnuts (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray; set aside.

Working over a large sheet of parchment paper, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; gather sifted ingredients into center of sheet; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine vegetable oil, sugar, and eggs; mix on high speed until lemon yellow.

Fold reserved parchment in half lengthwise; with mixer on medium speed, gradually shake in dry ingredients until just incorporated.

Add apples and, if desired, nuts, to batter; mix to combine. Add vanilla, mixing until incorporated.

Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 75 to 90 minutes.

Remove from oven, and cool slightly on a wire rack. Invert cake onto rack; turn cake right-side up to cool completely on rack, and serve drizzled with caramel sauce.

Recipe by Dorothy Mae Brown courtesy of Martha Stewart.

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14 thoughts on “Apple Spice Cake

  1. Fergie needs to be blasted at high volume every once in a while in conjunction with her as part of the Black Eyed Peas, no? Awesome cake; I like the Astronomer have an addiction to cinnamon and appley goodness!

  2. Lol – When I’m alone, I listen/sing out loud to Madonna and eat Doritos, but every girl has her own favorites 😉
    I hope the Astronomer likes the cake!

  3. I’ve made this kind of cake many times, partly because Charles loves cinnamon and apples and partly because it’s *so easy*.

    But it tastes better if you blast the Fergie. Everyone knows that.

  4. Whenever I see or hear or write the word “bundt,” I think of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

    “There izzzz a hole in this cake!”

  5. I put on a few pounds after looking at this! Really nice work you got talent, the texture looks great it is a little less naughty than other cakes as you have a few healthy things in there.

  6. yes indeed, my mister used to travel a lot, now not so much, but I’ve never baked him anything to welcome him home… what an unsentimental wench I am! love bundt cakes. the fresh apples, cinnamon and nuts combination sounds delicious, although I’d probably go for the caramel sauce too.

  7. I’ve been browsing for a good apple cake recipe! This looks delicious and easy. Adding it to my list of things I need to bake.

  8. best apple spice cake I have ever made….YUMMY…have passed the recipe on to several people…they just love it.

  9. Just whipped this up. LOVE this recipe. I tweeked it some: (1) adding some powdered cardamon and nutmeg on top of the cinnamon; (2)grated a zucchini into the apple mix (it badly needed to be used and I recall zucc’s go well in spice cakes…). Batter tasted delic! Can’t wait for it to come out of the oven. <3

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