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.
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!
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!
Mmmm… I love that this is made with tart Granny Smiths. What a refreshing change.
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.
I saw this cake earlier and I got try it. Easy is a bonus!
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!”
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.
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.
yum, did you save me some?
what a nice thing to do. you’re sugar and spice and everything nice.
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.
yum! I love aromatic cakes like this, all that cinnamon and apple goodness wafting through the kitchen. Looks like a beautiful cake!
best apple spice cake I have ever made….YUMMY…have passed the recipe on to several people…they just love it.
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