Holiday Apple Cake

Capture the essence of the holiday season with this irresistible Holiday Apple Cake—a delightful blend of warm spices, tender chunks of fresh apples, and a buttery, moist crumb. Perfect for cozy gatherings, this easy-to-make dessert is infused with cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a rich, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. Optional chopped walnuts or pecans add a delightful crunch, while a light dusting of powdered sugar offers an elegant, festive touch. Ready in just over an hour, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for holiday feasts, casual coffee breaks, or as a showstopping centerpiece for your dessert table. Whether served warm or at room temperature, this apple cake will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of the holidays.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:55 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup whole milk
• 2 cups apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
• 0.5 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Step 6

Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped nuts (if using) using a spatula.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1393.6 grams (1393.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3650

Total Fat 155.00g	199%
Saturated Fat 70.80g	354%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.20g
Cholesterol 652mg	217%
Sodium 2344mg	102%
Total Carbohydrate 529.60g	193%
Dietary Fiber 23.20g	83%
Total Sugars 314.00g
Protein 55.90g	112%

Vitamin D 163IU	813%
Calcium 540mg	42%
Iron 16mg	90%
Potassium 1536mg	33%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.3%

Protein: 6.0%

Carbs: 56.7%