Imagine a dessert that combines the warm, comforting flavors of freshly baked apples, the rich crunch of cashews, and a decadent caramel drizzle - all wrapped up in a moist, irresistible cake that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Cashew Caramel Apple Cake is not just a recipe, it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular dessert that will have everyone begging for seconds. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises to deliver a show-stopping treat that's both impressive and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup apples, peeled and diced
- 1 cup cashews, chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure complete incorporation.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to create a uniform dry mixture.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Gently fold in the diced apples and chopped cashews, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving and garnish with additional chopped cashews.
Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Don't overmix the batter: Mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender and light.
- Choose the right apples: Firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best for maintaining texture and providing a nice flavor contrast.
- Toast the cashews: For an extra layer of flavor, lightly toast the cashews before adding them to the batter.
- Check for doneness: Use the toothpick test - if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, your cake is ready.
- Let it cool completely before drizzling caramel to prevent the sauce from becoming too runny.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 85mg
