Apple and Walnut Cake

Apple and Walnut Cake – a quick and simple dessert, perfect for any occasion

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Discover the pleasure of an apple and walnut cake, a dessert that combines the flavors of fresh fruit with the crunch of nuts, creating a delicious and comforting experience. This simple recipe is ideal to be enjoyed alongside a cup of tea or coffee, but it can also be an excellent choice for a healthy snack.

Ingredients:
- 3 large apples (preferably tart apples, such as Granny Smith)
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 100 g raisins
- 100 g walnuts (chopped or roughly chopped)
- 200 g butter at room temperature
- 250 g sugar
- 4 eggs
- 300 g flour
- 1 packet of baking powder (about 10 g)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
- A pinch of salt

Preparation instructions:

1. Preparing the apples: Start by peeling the apples and cutting them into cubes or thin slices. Place the apple slices in a bowl and drizzle them with lemon juice to prevent oxidation and add a hint of freshness. Add the raisins and chopped walnuts, gently mixing to combine all the ingredients. This step will add a delicious texture and flavor to your cake.

2. Beating the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, use a mixer to combine the soft butter and sugar. Beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes fluffy and light in color, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is well incorporated before adding the next. Finally, add the vanilla essence and mix to combine.

3. Mixing the dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder and salt. This step will ensure that the ingredients combine evenly and that there are no lumps in the batter.

4. Combining the ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter and egg mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix, as the cake may become dense. Finally, fold in the apple, walnut, and raisin mixture, gently mixing with a spatula.

5. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a loaf pan with butter or use parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan and level the surface. Bake the cake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the cake starts to brown too quickly, cover it with a piece of aluminum foil.

6. Cooling and serving: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is essential to avoid a wet texture. Serve it plain or dusted with powdered sugar for an elegant touch.

Practical tips:
- You can experiment with different types of nuts, such as almonds or hazelnuts, to change the flavor of the cake.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the flour mixture for a hint of warmth and autumn flavors.
- This cake keeps well in the fridge for a few days, and the flavor intensifies as it sits.

Enjoy this apple and walnut cake, a simple recipe that will delight your taste buds and bring warmth to every bite!

 Ingredients: 500g sliced apples, peeled and a little lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of brandy (I use almond essence), 50g raisins, 100g chopped walnuts, 200g butter, 150g granulated sugar, 3 eggs, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 300g flour. For the glaze: apricot jam, walnuts, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar + lemon juice.