Chunky Apple Spice Cake with Vanilla Butter Sauce
I love surprises, the unexpected discoveries, the whim that becomes a favorite. Chunky Apple Spice Cake definitely falls into the pleasant surprise category for me.
I had recently received a big box of Jonagold apples, the scent of the apples along with many recent trips to my childhood home had me feeling somewhat nostalgic. Baking was definitely in order, but I was undecided about what to mix up. I wanted to make something cozy, something a little familiar, but different.
While scouring through all my old apple recipes I stumbled upon this Chunky Apple Spice Cake recipe. I had copied it but never actually tried it. It sat among my other recipes for quite a while, never garnering the attention of the more exotic, or the intrigue of the more elaborate recipes. This apple spice cake seemed like a perfect use for some of the apples, and the recipe promised to be mixed up quickly. There is nothing pretentious, or fussy about Chunky Apple Spice Cake, and after making this cake on 4 different occasions now I can say this may be comfort food at it’s finest.
Looking at the recipe on paper, there is really nothing striking about it. The only notable aspect of this recipe is what seems like a ridiculous amount of Apple Pie Spice. I questioned the amount of Apple Pie Spice the first time I made it too, in fact I had to resist the urge to scale it back. That little leap of faith paid off, this cake is the perfect blend of warm spices and sweet chunks of apples.
I love this cake with just a dusting of confectioners sugar served a strong cup of black coffee. The rest of my family happens to have more of a sweet tooth, and like a sweet glaze, the warm vanilla butter sauce keep them happy.
Chunky Apple Spice Cake with Vanilla Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 11/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
For the Vanilla Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Chunky Apple Spice Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F degrees, and spray a 9-inch round baking pan with non-stick baking spray.
- Beat butter and brown sugar for 5 minutes in a mixer bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time and vanilla just until blended. Set aside.
- Sift together flour, apple pie spice, allspice, salt and baking powder. Gradually add to sugar mixture; beating until well blended.
- Stir in apples, nuts, and raisins, if desired.
- Pour into prepared baking pan; bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
- Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.
Vanilla Butter Sauce:.
- Combine butter and whipping cream with brown sugar and bring to boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Do-ahead Suggestion: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before.
Your instructions indicate pumpkin pie spice & baking powder 2x. ??
I have no idea how those instructions got so twisted up. I did recently switch recipe plugins that automatically converted all my existing recipes to a new format. I wonder if that is what caused the problem? Either way it is fixed now, thank you for pointing that out!
This is the best cake I’ve ever tasted! I didn’t make the sauce…no need to! And I substituted chopped dates for raisins. Parchment paper made it easy to remove from the pan too. Thank you for sharing this deliciousness!!!
Thank you, I am so happy you liked it Ann!
Looks delicious! This is on my “to do” list now.
Thank you!