Maple Apple Walnut Cake Recipe

Maple syrup adds deeper flavors to this dessert.

Ingredients

• ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature, plus more for the pan
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 1¼ cups pure maple syrup
• ½ cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• ½ cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

Directions

Active time: 30 minutes

Total time: 1 3/4 hours 

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 9-inch round, 2-inch deep cake pan with butter, line the bottom with a round of parchment paper, and lightly grease again. Dust with flour, tapping out any excess. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, syrup, milk, eggs, and vanilla, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in apples and walnuts until well incorporated, then transfer to prepared pan and spread out evenly. If you'd like, arrange some of the apples in the batter into a decorative spiral pattern on top. 

Bake until cake is deep golden brown and springs back in the middle when touched, 60 to 70 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle. Loosen edges with a knife and transfer to a large plate, discarding parchment paper. Serve warm or at room temperature.