apple walnut cake with lemon butter frosting baked goods
Junior Thormahlen
Ingredients
- Apple Walnut Cake:
- All-purpose flour (1 cup)
- Granulated sugar (2 cups)
- Baking powder (1 tablespoon, 1.5 teaspoons)
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Walnuts (1 cup, chopped and lightly toasted)
- Apples (2 medium, peeled, cored, and grated)
- Lemon zest (1 large lemon, finely grated)
- Eggs (3)
- Buttermilk (1 cup, or regular milk with vinegar or lemon juice added if you don't have buttermilk)
- Vegetable oil (1/2 cup)
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
- Lemon Butter Frosting:
- Unsalted butter (8 tablespoons, softened to room temperature)
- Granulated sugar (1.5 cups)
- Fresh lemon juice (3 tablespoons)
- Lemon zest (1 large lemon, finely grated)
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon)
Keywords and SEO-friendly terms highlighted in bold:
- **apple** walnut cake
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- **baking powder**
- salt
- walnuts (**toasted** for best flavor)
- **apples** (grated, peeled, cored)
- lemon zest (from the **lemon**)
- eggs
- buttermilk (or a substitute if you don't have it; use milk with vinegar or lemon juice added to mimic the texture)
- vegetable oil
- vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- unsalted butter (room temperature, softened for best results)
- granulated sugar
- fresh **lemon** juice
- lemon zest
- vanilla extract
Steps
### Apple Walnut Cake with Lemon Butter Frosting Recipe
#### Introduction:
Indulge in this delicious apple walnut cake paired with a tangy lemon butter frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special treat, this recipe combines the sweet and savory flavors of apples with the crunchy walnuts and a touch of zest from lemons.
#### Ingredients:
- **For the Cake:**
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup thinly sliced and cored apple slices (about 2 apples)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- **For the Frosting:**
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon (optional)
#### Steps:
1. **Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:**
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugar:**
- Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
4. **Add Eggs and Flavors:**
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined (avoid overmixing).
- Fold in the apple slices and chopped walnuts gently.
6. **Bake the Cake:**
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
7. **Prepare Lemon Butter Frosting:**
- In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar, alternating with the lemon juice (add 1 tablespoon at a time).
- Stir in the lemon zest if desired.
8. **Frost the Cake:**
- Once the cake is fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cake.
- You can also garnish with additional chopped walnuts or apple slices for an extra touch of elegance.
9. **Serve and Enjoy:**
- Slice into portions and serve immediately or store in an airtight container if you want to enjoy later.
#### Tips:
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients when mixing.
- You can adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less sugar according to your taste preferences.
- This cake is perfect for those who love the combination of sweet and tangy flavors. It's a versatile recipe that can be served at various events.
By following these detailed steps, you'll be able to create a delightful apple walnut cake with lemon butter frosting that will impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy the process of baking and savor every bite!