Description
Ina Garten’s apple spice cake delivers warmth from classic autumn flavors with rich cinnamon and tender apples. Home bakers can savor this comforting dessert that promises delightful memories of seasonal gatherings around a delicious homemade treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Produce:
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced (3 to 4 apples)
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) grated orange zest (from 2 oranges)
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 grams) dark brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 cup (150 grams) golden raisins
- 1 cup (113 grams) chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons (4 grams) baking powder
- 2 teaspoons (4 grams) ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon (0.25 gram) ground cloves
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) dark rum
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking pan with grease, then lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking.
- Toast pecans on a baking sheet in the oven for 5-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. In a separate small bowl, combine dark rum and golden raisins, microwaving for 60 seconds to infuse flavors. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Beat vigorously for approximately 3 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and well incorporated.
- Sift all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves into a separate bowl. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully to prevent lumps from forming.
- Drain the rum-soaked raisins thoroughly. Gently fold the raisins, toasted pecans, and chopped apples into the batter, ensuring even distribution of ingredients throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is fully baked.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve each portion accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a delicate drizzle of warm caramel sauce for an indulgent finishing touch.
Notes
- Swap dark rum with apple cider or juice for a family-friendly twist that keeps the cake’s delicious spirit.
- Toast pecans beforehand to unlock their rich, nutty essence and introduce a satisfying crunch to each bite.
- Golden raisins soaked in rum transform into little pockets of boozy delight scattered throughout the cake.
- Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to ensure a perfect balance of tartness and texture.
- Bring eggs to room temperature to help them blend seamlessly and create a smoother, more consistent batter.
- Grate fresh orange zest to infuse a bright, citrusy note that dances beautifully with the warm spice blend.
- Make this cake ahead of time, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for an even more delectable dessert.
- Finish with a sprinkle of toasted pecans on top for an irresistible crunch and eye-catching presentation.
- Serve slightly warm to awaken the cake’s aromatic spices and create a truly comforting dessert experience.
- Keep leftover cake covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate to extend its delicious life.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Sugar: 60 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg