Description
This Rosh Hashanah apple cake recipe, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, is a moist, family-friendly dessert perfect for the holidays. It is a simple yet impressive treat that consistently receives rave reviews.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 cups apples, peeled, cored, diced (about 4–5 medium Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) for about 15-20 minutes. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan thoroughly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1.5 tsp baking soda, 0.5 tsp salt, and 2 tsp ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine 1.5 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup vegetable oil, 3 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Beat for about 2 minutes until creamy and pale.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently with a spatula until just combined and no streaks of flour remain (avoid overmixing).
- Fold In Apples (Optional Nuts): Fold in 4 to 5 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 0.5-inch dice). If desired, add 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Pour and Bake: Pour batter evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes.
- Cool Cake: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Ensure any glaze added is dairy-free for a pareve option. Add 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch. Choose firm, blemish-free, fresh apples for best flavor and texture. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. For nut-free, omit nuts or substitute with pumpkin seeds. To avoid dry cake, ensure apples are finely diced and do not overbake. To prevent a sunken center, avoid opening the oven door during the first 30 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (100 g)
- Calories: 380 calories
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: apple cake, Rosh Hashanah, cinnamon, spiced, moist, easy dessert, family-friendly, pareve, baking, holiday