The Perfect Apple and Walnut Cake Recipe for Cozy Baking Days

Baking a delightful apple and walnut cake sparks joy in every kitchen.

Crisp autumn apples mingle with crunchy walnuts, creating a symphony of textures.

Sweet aromas drift through the house, promising comfort in each slice.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, telling a story of warmth and nostalgia.

Modest yet impressive, this cake feels like a warm embrace from grandma’s kitchen.

Unexpected flavor combinations make this dessert stand out from typical treats.

Whip up this simple recipe and watch smiles bloom around the table.

Why Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake Is A Fall Favorite

• Craft a Nutty Masterpiece: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a stunning cake that showcases the rich, earthy flavor of walnuts paired with sweet, tender apples.
• Bake with Minimal Fuss: Straightforward mixing and layering techniques make this cake accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks.
• Seasonal Celebration Delight: Perfect for autumn gatherings, weekend brunches, or a comforting afternoon treat that captures the warmth of home baking with minimal preparation.
• Texture Symphony: The combination of blitzed ground walnuts in the batter and crunchy toasted walnut topping creates an incredible contrast of soft cake and crisp nutty elements.

What Goes Into Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake

• Eggs: The binding agent that provides structure and richness to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
• Flour: The main dry ingredient that forms the base of the cake.
• Butter: Provides moisture and contributes to the cake's rich flavor.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and moist cake batter.

• Apples: Fresh fruit that adds natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Lemon Juice: Prevents apple slices from browning and adds a subtle tangy flavor.

• Walnuts: Ground walnuts add depth to the cake's texture, while toasted chopped walnuts provide a crunchy topping.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Sugar: Can be sprinkled on top for extra sweetness and a slight crunch.

How To Make Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake Easily

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 375°F (350°F convection) or gas mark 6. Grab a 8-inch round cake pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure the sides are completely covered.

Step 2: Prepare Walnut Magic

• Grab your food processor
• Pulse 75g of walnuts until finely ground
• Set aside the ground walnuts
• Take remaining walnuts and toast them in a dry skillet until fragrant, then roughly chop

Step 3: Prepare Apples

Wash and core your apples, then slice them thinly. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the slices to prevent browning and add a zesty touch.

Step 4: Create Fluffy Base

In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs with sugar and a pinch of salt until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale yellow.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

Gently warm butter with milk until melted. Slowly pour this warm mixture into the egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent scrambling.

Step 6: Mix Dry Ingredients

Fold in flour, baking powder, and the ground walnuts. Stir until just combined – don’t overmix.

Step 7: Fill The Pan

Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan. Artfully arrange apple slices on top in a circular pattern.

Step 8: Add Crunch

Sprinkle the toasted chopped walnuts over the top. If desired, dust with a light layer of sugar for extra sweetness.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cake turns golden brown. Check doneness by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean.

Step 10: Cool And Serve

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your delicious creation!

Helpful Tips For Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake

• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss apple slices immediately in lemon juice to stop oxidation and maintain fresh, crisp appearance.
• Enhance Nutty Flavor: Toasting walnuts before adding to cake intensifies their rich, warm flavor and creates a delightful crunch.
• Perfect Texture Trick: Blitz some walnuts into ground texture for even distribution and deeper nutty undertones throughout the cake.
• Moisture Mastery: Melting butter in milk helps create a smoother batter and ensures a tender, moist cake crumb.
• Smart Baking Check: Use a skewer to test cake doneness – when it comes out clean, your cake is perfectly baked.

Try These Variations Of Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake

• Gluten-Free Walnut Apple Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same texture and taste.
• Vegan Apple Walnut Delight: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use plant-based milk and vegan butter alternative.
• Low-Sugar Apple Walnut Treat: Replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce overall sweetness while maintaining cake's moisture.
• Spiced Autumn Version: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to batter for warm seasonal flavor profile, enhancing traditional apple walnut combination.

Perfect Pairings With Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake

• Pair with Cinnamon Tea: Brew a warm, spicy cinnamon tea that complements the cake's nutty and fruity flavors, enhancing the apple and walnut notes.
• Match with Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the cake, creating a delightful contrast between warm cake and cold, smooth dessert.
• Drizzle Caramel Sauce: Add a rich, golden caramel sauce over the cake slice to intensify the sweetness and bring out the depth of apple and walnut flavors.
• Serve with Maple Latte: Enjoy a maple-infused latte that echoes the cake's warmth and nutty undertones, providing a cozy and indulgent dessert experience.

Store Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake With Care

• Store cake covered in plastic wrap or airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep in the coolest part of refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Keep cake at room temperature in sealed container for 1-2 days. Ensure space is cool and dry to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds. Alternatively, reheat in oven at 150°C for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and bring out walnut flavors.

Common Questions On Mary Berry Apple And Walnut Cake

• Why use lemon juice for apple slices?

Lemon juice prevents apples from browning and adds a subtle tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the cake.

• Can I use different types of apples?

Yes, firm and slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn work best for maintaining texture and balanced flavor during baking.

• What's the purpose of blitzing some walnuts into ground texture?

Blitzing walnuts creates a fine powder that helps incorporate nutty flavor throughout the cake batter and provides a more even distribution of walnut taste.

• Is toasting walnuts necessary?

Toasting walnuts enhances their natural oils, deepens their flavor, and adds a richer, more complex nutty taste to the cake’s overall profile.

Apple And Walnut Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 mins
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet memories of childhood bloom with this classic Apple and Walnut Cake, blending nostalgic flavors into a comforting dessert. Warm spices and tender fruit invite you to savor each delightful slice of homemade happiness.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2 large apples
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) walnuts
• 2 eggs
• 225 grams (7.9 ounces) golden caster sugar
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) butter

Dry Ingredients:

• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) plain flour, sieved
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 pinch sea salt

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 150 milliliters (5.1 fluid ounces) full cream milk
• 1 small squeeze of lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 180°C (fan) and grease a 20cm round cake tin with parchment paper.
2. Pulverize 75g walnuts into a fine powder using a food processor.
3. Lightly toast remaining walnuts in a dry pan until fragrant, then roughly chop.
4. Core and thinly slice apples, immediately tossing with fresh lemon juice to prevent browning.
5. Vigorously whip eggs, sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, creating a light texture.
6. Gently warm butter with milk, then slowly incorporate into the egg mixture, creating a smooth liquid base.
7. Delicately fold ground walnuts, flour, and baking powder into the wet ingredients, ensuring no lumps remain.
8. Transfer batter to the prepared cake tin, spreading evenly with a spatula.
9. Artfully arrange apple slices on top of the batter in a decorative circular pattern.
10. Scatter chopped toasted walnuts over the apple layer and sprinkle with optional granulated sugar.
11. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a inserted skewer emerges clean.
12. Allow cake to rest in the tin for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Grinding walnuts creates a rich, nutty flour that adds depth and texture to the cake’s crumb, enhancing overall flavor complexity.
• Toasting walnuts before adding them intensifies their natural oils and brings out a deeper, more robust nuttiness that elevates the cake’s taste profile.
• Tossing apple slices in lemon juice prevents browning and adds a subtle tangy brightness that balances the cake’s sweetness.
• Adjusting oven temperature slightly lower for fan-assisted ovens ensures even baking and prevents excessive browning, keeping the cake moist and perfectly golden.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25-30 mins
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 326 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg