Tender Apple Walnut Cake

Tender Apple Walnut Cake

Gently spiced and studded with raisins, apples, and walnuts, this Tender Apple Walnut Cake satisfies sweet cravings in a delicious and healthy way. Unsweetened applesauce and maple syrup give this cozy, wholesome treat just the right amount of natural sweetness. Flaxseed and walnuts provide important Omega-3 fatty acids while keeping this cake low-fat. Swap out apples for pears or raisins for dried cranberries for variety.

I developed this recipe for a client and since then, I've taught it, eaten it, gifted it, shared it at potlucks, and dreamt about it when there was none left.

This Apple Walnut Cake demonstrates how easy it is to bake without (not only) eggs and butter, but without added oils or vegan substitutes. I haven't tested a gluten-free version...but that's next! Could you make a vegan cream cheese frosting? For sure. Could you add a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream? You bet.

What You'll Need

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

½ cup almond flour

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

¾ cup maple syrup

¼ cup orange juice

1 tablespoon molasses, optional

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large apples, any variety, peeled and finely diced, 2 cups

¾ cup chopped walnuts

¾ cup raisins or dried cranberries, optional

How to Make It

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly oil a 9-inch square pan.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, almond flour, flaxseed, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a separate bowl, stir together the applesauce, syrup, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, and vanilla.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir to combine.

5. Fold in the apple, walnuts, and raisins.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top springs back when touched and the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan.

8. Remove from the oven and let cool before cutting into squares to serve.