Apple Walnut Pound Cake: A Deliciously Moist and Flavorful Treat
Apple Walnut Pound Cake – the name itself conjures images of cozy autumn days, the warm scent of cinnamon, and the satisfying crunch of walnuts. This isn’t just any pound cake; it’s a celebration of fall flavors, a comforting dessert that’s perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself!). This recipe yields a moist, dense, and incredibly flavorful cake that’s sure to become a family favorite. We’ll explore how to achieve the perfect texture, the right balance of sweetness and spice, and tips for ensuring your cake rises beautifully. Prepare to be transported to a world of autumnal bliss with every bite!
Why This Apple Walnut Pound Cake Recipe Works
Many pound cake recipes tend to be dry or bland, but this recipe avoids those pitfalls by incorporating several key elements:
* **Applesauce:** The addition of applesauce not only infuses the cake with apple flavor but also adds moisture, preventing it from becoming dry. It acts as a natural tenderizer, resulting in a softer crumb.
* **Brown Butter (Optional but Recommended):** Browning the butter before incorporating it into the batter elevates the flavor profile to a whole new level. The nutty, caramelized notes of brown butter complement the apple and walnut flavors beautifully. If you are short on time or prefer a simpler method, you can use melted butter instead, but the brown butter definitely adds a special touch.
* **Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:** These ingredients contribute to the cake’s moistness and add a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. They also help to create a tender crumb.
* **Generous Spices:** A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice creates a warm and inviting aroma and flavor that complements the apples and walnuts perfectly. Don’t be afraid to adjust the spices to your liking.
* **Chopped Apples:** Fresh, chopped apples add texture and bursts of juicy flavor throughout the cake. Choose a variety that holds its shape well during baking, such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn.
* **Walnuts:** Toasted walnuts add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples and spices. Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and aroma.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these ingredients:
* **Butter:** 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened or browned (see instructions below)
* **Sugar:** 1 cup granulated sugar
* **Brown Sugar:** ½ cup packed light brown sugar
* **Eggs:** 3 large eggs, at room temperature
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* **Applesauce:** ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
* **Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:** ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, at room temperature
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 2 cups all-purpose flour
* **Baking Powder:** 1 teaspoon baking powder
* **Baking Soda:** ½ teaspoon baking soda
* **Salt:** ¼ teaspoon salt
* **Cinnamon:** 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* **Nutmeg:** ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* **Allspice:** ¼ teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
* **Apples:** 1 ½ cups chopped apples (about 2 medium apples)
* **Walnuts:** ¾ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
* **Optional Glaze:**
* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 2-3 tablespoons milk or apple cider
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
## Equipment
You’ll also need the following equipment:
* 9×5 inch loaf pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
* Rubber spatula
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Wire rack
## Step-by-Step Instructions for Apple Walnut Pound Cake
Follow these detailed instructions to bake the perfect Apple Walnut Pound Cake:
**Step 1: Prepare the Loaf Pan**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for even baking.
* Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly with butter or cooking spray. To prevent the cake from sticking, line the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment paper that extends up the sides, creating a sling. This will make it easy to remove the cake after baking.
**Step 2: Toast the Walnuts (Optional but Recommended)**
* Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and aroma. Spread the chopped walnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer.
* Bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly toasted. Watch them carefully to prevent burning. Alternatively, you can toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
* Let the toasted walnuts cool slightly before adding them to the batter.
**Step 3: Brown the Butter (Optional)**
* Place the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. The light color of the saucepan will help you monitor the browning process.
* Melt the butter completely, then continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally. The butter will start to foam and sizzle. As it cooks, the milk solids will separate and sink to the bottom of the pan.
* Continue cooking until the milk solids turn a nutty brown color and the butter smells fragrant and nutty. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to burn the butter.
* Remove the pan from the heat and immediately pour the brown butter into a heatproof bowl. Let it cool slightly before using.
* If you prefer not to brown the butter, you can simply melt it and let it cool slightly.
**Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugars**
* In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter (or cooled brown butter) and the granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air into the batter, which helps to create a light and tender cake.
**Step 5: Add the Eggs and Vanilla**
* Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps to prevent the batter from curdling.
* Stir in the vanilla extract.
**Step 6: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients**
* In a separate bowl, whisk together the applesauce and sour cream or Greek yogurt. This ensures that the wet ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
* Add the applesauce mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
**Step 7: Combine the Dry Ingredients**
* In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice (if using). This ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter and that the baking powder and baking soda are properly activated.
**Step 8: Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients**
* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake. Mix until the flour is just incorporated, and there are no visible streaks of flour remaining.
**Step 9: Fold in the Apples and Walnuts**
* Gently fold in the chopped apples and toasted walnuts. Make sure the apples and walnuts are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
**Step 10: Pour the Batter into the Loaf Pan**
* Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. You can use a spatula to smooth the top of the batter.
**Step 11: Bake the Cake**
* Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, you can tent it with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
**Step 12: Cool the Cake**
* Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from sticking to the pan.
**Step 13: Prepare the Glaze (Optional)**
* While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze, if desired. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or apple cider, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk or apple cider, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
**Step 14: Glaze the Cake (Optional)**
* Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
## Tips for the Best Apple Walnut Pound Cake
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature butter, eggs, and sour cream or Greek yogurt helps to create a smooth and even batter. This ensures that the ingredients emulsify properly and that the cake bakes evenly.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until the flour is just incorporated, and there are no visible streaks of flour remaining.
* **Use Fresh Apples:** Fresh apples add the best flavor and texture to the cake. Choose a variety that holds its shape well during baking, such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn.
* **Toast the Walnuts:** Toasting the walnuts enhances their flavor and aroma. Be careful not to burn them.
* **Cool the Cake Completely Before Glazing:** Glazing the cake while it’s still warm can cause the glaze to melt and run off. Let the cake cool completely before drizzling with glaze.
* **Adjust the Spices to Your Liking:** Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, add a little more cinnamon. If you don’t like allspice, you can omit it.
* **Add Other Nuts:** You can substitute other nuts for the walnuts, such as pecans or almonds.
* **Add Dried Fruit:** You can add dried fruit, such as raisins or cranberries, to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
* **Store the Cake Properly:** Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To prevent the cake from drying out, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
## Variations
* **Caramel Apple Walnut Pound Cake:** Drizzle the cake with caramel sauce after glazing.
* **Cranberry Apple Walnut Pound Cake:** Add ½ cup of dried cranberries to the batter along with the apples and walnuts.
* **Spiced Apple Walnut Pound Cake:** Increase the amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to create a more intensely spiced cake.
* **Apple Cinnamon Swirl Pound Cake:** Create a cinnamon swirl by mixing some of the batter with cinnamon and sugar and swirling it into the remaining batter before baking.
## Serving Suggestions
* Serve slices of the cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
* Pair the cake with a cup of coffee or tea.
* Serve the cake as part of a brunch spread.
* Bring the cake to a potluck or holiday gathering.
## Make Ahead Instructions
You can make the Apple Walnut Pound Cake ahead of time and store it for later. Here’s how:
* **Bake the Cake:** Bake the cake according to the recipe instructions.
* **Cool the Cake:** Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
* **Wrap the Cake:** Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
* **Store the Cake:** Store the wrapped cake at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
* **Glaze the Cake (Optional):** If you want to glaze the cake, wait until you’re ready to serve it. Prepare the glaze and drizzle it over the cake just before serving.
## Freezing Instructions
You can also freeze the Apple Walnut Pound Cake for longer storage. Here’s how:
* **Bake the Cake:** Bake the cake according to the recipe instructions.
* **Cool the Cake:** Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.
* **Wrap the Cake:** Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap it again in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer bag.
* **Freeze the Cake:** Freeze the cake for up to 2-3 months.
* **Thaw the Cake:** When you’re ready to eat the cake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for several hours. Make sure to remove the wrapping while thawing to prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
* **Glaze the Cake (Optional):** If you want to glaze the cake, wait until it’s completely thawed. Prepare the glaze and drizzle it over the cake just before serving.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per slice)
* Calories: 350-450
* Fat: 20-25g
* Saturated Fat: 12-15g
* Cholesterol: 75-100mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g
* Sugar: 25-30g
* Protein: 4-5g
## Conclusion
This Apple Walnut Pound Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The moist texture, the warm spices, the crunchy walnuts, and the sweet apples create a symphony of flavors and textures that will delight your taste buds. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or simply to enjoy on a cozy afternoon, this recipe is sure to become a cherished tradition. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a cake that’s as comforting as it is delicious! This Apple Walnut Pound Cake Recipe will be a showstopper for you and your family.
Enjoy your Apple Walnut Pound Cake baking!