This vintage-style apple cake is a moist, spice-kissed dessert loaded with diced apples, crunchy nuts, and crowned with melted butterscotch morsels that act as a built-in frosting. With a texture somewhere between a dense spice cake and a chunky cobbler, this old-school treat celebrates autumn flavors and pantry staples. Its charm lies in the simplicity of hand-mixing and the irresistible scent of cinnamon and vanilla wafting from the oven. Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or afternoon coffee breaks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup nuts (chopped, e.g., walnuts or pecans)
- 4 cups apples (diced, peeled and cored)
- 11 oz butterscotch morsels
Instructions
Step 1: Combine Base Ingredients
- In a large bowl, stir together sugar, eggs, oil, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and chopped nuts.
- Mix thoroughly by hand, do not use a mixer.
Step 2: Add Apples
- Fold in diced apples until evenly distributed.
Step 3: Assemble
- Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Sprinkle butterscotch morsels evenly over the top.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Tips
- Substitute brown sugar for half the white sugar for deeper caramel notes.
- Add ¼ tsp nutmeg or allspice for extra warm spice.
- Use peeled or unpeeled apples, either works.
- Replace butterscotch morsels with caramel bits for a gooier topping.
- Mix in ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries for added texture.
- Swap nuts for pecans or walnuts, depending on preference.
- Use applesauce for part of the oil to lighten the cake.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Bake in a Bundt pan (increase bake time by ~10 minutes).
- For a crunchier top, add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking.
Nutrition
Calories: 408kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 4gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 285mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 2gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 1.5mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1.4mg
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