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Easy Apple Cake Recipe with Fresh Apples and Walnuts

Easy Apple Cake Recipe

A moist oil-based apple cake packed with chopped apples, cinnamon, and optional walnuts or pecans. It is an easy 9 x 13-inch dessert that serves 12–16 people.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Batter
  • 1 cup Vegetable oil
  • 2 cups Granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs Large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
Add-Ins
  • 4 cups Peeled, cored, and chopped apples
  • 1 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, fine salt, and ground cinnamon.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir only until no dry streaks remain. The batter will be thick.
  5. Fold in the chopped apples and walnuts or pecans, if using, distributing them evenly without overmixing.
  6. Spread the thick batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.
  7. Bake for 45–55 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool the cake in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes before slicing. Serve plain, with whipped cream, or with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Firm, slightly tart apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn work especially well. Chop the apples into small, similar-size pieces and lightly pat very juicy apples dry before folding them into the batter. Store covered once cool.