This homestyle Apple Walnut Cake with Cinnamon Cream-Cheese Frosting is subtly sweet and loaded with apples and walnuts. It comes together quickly and reminds us just how marvelous autumn baking is!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Crunch Time Apple Growers. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Ciao Chow Bambina possible.
So this is the third week in a row that I’ve shared a recipe using SnapDragon® apples, and what I’ve come to realize, the more time I spend with this apple, is just how versatile it is.
Not only does it make for an appetizer that has me wishing pre-dinner was dinner-dinner, it complements an herb roasted turkey breast like nobody’s business, and gives texture and sweetness to cake as if that is what it was born to do.
Not only is SnapDragon® perfect for snacking, it holds up gorgeously in baking too.
This cake has the textural qualities of dense moist carrot cake but possesses the sweetness of fresh juicy apples. Carrot cake and I go way back, and I thought to myself, how about we put apples to the test and see how they fare.
As you might guess, they passed with flying colors.
What is it about this cake that has me so excited, you ask? (You did ask, right?)
- SnapDragons®, with their spicy-sweet flavor, put ‘autumn’ in apple cake
- Walnuts, inside and out, add to the cake’s rustic nutty charm
- Luscious, smooth and silky cinnamon cream cheese frosting (for the win)
So if you’ve been assigned dessert for your neighborhood potluck, office party, or holiday gathering – hopefully SnapDragon® and I have made your decision a little easier….
Buon Appetito!
You should start seeing SnapDragon® apples at markets and in stores now! Stay tuned for additional updates on the new SnapDragon® website.
PrintApple Walnut Cake with Cinnamon Cream-Cheese Frosting
- Yield: 10 - 12 portions 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
This homestyle Apple Walnut Cake with Cinnamon Cream-Cheese Frosting is subtly sweet and loaded with apples and walnuts. It comes together quickly and reminds us just how marvelous autumn baking is!
Ingredients
- Apple Walnut Cake
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable or canola oil
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 – 2 1/2 cups shelled walnuts, divided (1 1/2 cup coarsely chopped; the remaining left whole for decorating the top of the cake)
- 3 heaping cups of peeled, coarsely chopped SnapDragon® apples
- Cinnamon Cream-Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 6 Tbsp butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil until fully combined. It will be thick.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add to the egg mixture and mix until well blended.
- Add coarsely chopped walnuts and apples and stir into batter until pieces are evenly distributed.
- Pour batter into the cake pans. Bake for 1 – 1 1/4 hours, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes rest for at least 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool on a rack for at least 2 hours, until completely cooled.
- In the meantime, prepare frosting.
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter.
- Add vanilla then slowly sift in confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon and continue beating until fully incorporated. Mixture should be smooth.
- When cake is cooled, frost center, top, and sides with frosting.
- Decorate the top with whole walnuts.
- Serve.
Forgot to pin? Here you go!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
THis cake is superb!! I think apples and walnuts are so perfect together!! I just want to swipe my finger across the side and get me a taste of that cream cheese cinnamon frosting!! Pinned! Take care ?
Annie says
It is a lovely cake for the holidays…and that frosting can go on everything!! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This cake looks so lovely! I love that you’ve used apples and walnuts.! I love munching on both and they would make a lovely combination in this cake!
Annie says
Apples and walnuts are great combination! Thanks so much, Kathy!
Rachelle @ B says
What a beautiful cake, Annie! It’s perfect for fall and cream cheese frosting is always a win in my book!
Annie says
Thanks so much, my friend!! 🙂
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I love cakes like these, Annie! You’ve done a lovely job of decorating it – it looks great. Love that it’s full of apples and walnuts! Big slice for me please!
Annie says
Comin’ right up! Thanks, Geraldine!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a gorgeous cake, Annie! I love those pretty layers and that cinnamon cream cheese frosting is calling my name. I bet this would go perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea!
Annie says
Thank you, Gayle! Everything’s better with coffee! 🙂
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
Gorgeous and delicious! Love the apple and walnut combo, it does speak of Autumn and cozy, and warm and fuzzy. Those apples sure are amazingly versatile! Another great recipe!!
Annie says
Thank you, Nicoletta! This apple does everything! Now if I could only get it to do my laundry! 😉 🙂
Milena |Craft Beering says
I love the apple walnut duo! This cake screams Fall and actually makes the thought of it appealing (lol, you know I am not the greatest fan of this particular season). Beautiful pictures as always Annie!
Annie says
Oh yeahhh, a match made in heaven! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! xo
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Forget potlucks and office parties. I’m making this and keeping it all for myself! I have a newfound love for apple cake and I can practically taste this already!
Annie says
This recipe is a keeper if I do say so myself! Autumn with every bite! Thanks, dear!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I’m totally into apples this fall Annie and this cake looks spectacular!! You’ve outdone yourself with this one! Perfect for the Thansgiving dessert table!
Annie says
Thank you so much Mary Ann! This is a great time of year, isn’t it?!! Have a great weekend, my friend! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
This cake is just gorgeous, Annie!!!! I absolutely adore all things apple, especially a delicious apple packed dessert! The combination of apples with walnuts is one of my favorites, but you totally took this over the top with that cinnamon cream cheese! Send lots of napkins, because I’m drooling!! Totally wish I could have a slice of this for breakfast right now! Pinned! Cheers, sweets! XO
Annie says
You can’t beat apples and walnuts! I’ll send you cake and napkins, oh, and a big glass of milk to wash it down! Thanks, dear! XO
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
So beautiful! I love apple cakes this time of year and am always looking for new ones to bake up. Loving that cinnamon cream cheese frosting 🙂
Annie says
Thanks, Jennifer! My family loves it! 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Well, I’m still searching for the apples. We’re South right now and will be heading North in 10 days — hopefully, I’ll find them in Indiana. If I wanted to make the cake, and couldn’t find the Snapdragon apples, is there another type that I can substitute? I’ll pin the recipe so I’ll have it. Have a wonderful day. Big Hugs!!
Annie says
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you find them, but should you need to grab another, Honeycrisp would be a fine substitute! Good luck, my friend! Hugs!!