Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups peeled and chopped fresh apples (about 3-4 medium apples)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or use non-stick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until they’re light and fluffy. Gradually add the oil, apple juice, and vanilla extract while continuing to beat the mixture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until blended. Do not overmix.
- Add Apples and Nuts:
- Fold in the chopped apples and nuts (if using) until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Make the Topping (During Last 10 mins of Baking):
- While the cake is baking, combine the butter, milk, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and allow the mixture to bubble for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Finish the Cake:
- Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and pour the topping over the hot cake. If you’d like, you can put the cake under the broiler for a minute or two to caramelize the topping a little, but watch it closely to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the cake to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. This cake is delightful when it’s still a bit warm and can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Enjoy your fresh apple cake with a cup of coffee or tea! It’s the perfect treat for a fall day, but honestly, it’s so good you’ll want to make it year-round.