When I have guests over, I like to make pretty cakes with frosting, a meringue topping, or glaze. For myself, I like things less sweet, and actually prefer simple cakes or quickbreads without any adornments. I think it’s the texture of cake that I’m truly addicted to. Add a good cup of coffee, and I’m like a puppy with a new toy.
I flipped around my cookbooks for an easy recipe that I had the ingredients for. This one was close enough, although I still needed to do a little substituting. The nutmeg is a bit strong for me, but it still satisfied my craving.
Fresh Apple Cake
~adapted from Fresh Apple Cake in Perfect Cakes by Nick Malgieri
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups peeled, cored, chopped gala apples
- 1/2 cup chopped sweetened dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
1. Set rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 12-cup tube pan.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, just until broken. Whisk in sugar in a steady stream. Continue whisking for another minute, or until lightened. Whisk in oil in a slow stream, then vanilla.
4. Use a rubber spatula to fold in flour mixture. Fold in apples, cranberries, and pecans.
5. Scrape into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove to a cooling rack and cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and place on cooling rack, right-side-up to cool completely.
This looks so good! I have a huge granny smith apple tree in my yard, so I’m always looking for more apple recipes.
oh my gosh – apple cake? wow 🙂 i may just have to come over!
A warm and homey snack for sure.
Yum! I like simple cakes without all the frosting, too.
It is so simple yet so flavorfully yummie :)!! Thanks!!
Apples are still in season here in NYC, so good use of apples. This cake looks like a wonderful crumb and texture.
stunning cake, jessica. i think apple cake is the most delightful of all cakes–it doesn’t even need any frosting!
Another big YUM! Check out my blog, I just made an Apple Spice Cake, too (LOL). Maybe we should get together and compare? Or just share?
Jamie, if only we lived in the country.
That apple cake looks really good!
This is a delicious looking cake!
Hi-does anyone know how to do this recipe (which looks great!)without the deadly vegetable oil? There seems to be vegetable oil in every recipe on this site it seems and as it is so bad for you, it would be great to have a variation without the oil if possible? Thanks!
Hi Vanessa, I think it’s stretching it to say that there is vegetable oil in every recipe on this site. If you’re looking for a fat-free cooking site, this isn’t it, but are you looking for no fat or just a different form of fat. I will try to direct you to the sites that may be more helpful for you.
Looking at this cake has put me in a baking mood. A Lemon cake for my girlfriend and a Jewish Apple cake for me.
Tom, if you bake it, send me some pics!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe!! Wish I could post a picture! Mine turned out so moist and beautiful. Only change I made was I only baked it 45 min and didn’t use nutmeg.