Pecan Apple Cake Recipe (Cinnamon Apple Cake)
This pecan apple cake recipe is a cozy, classic oven-baked dessert with plenty of chopped apples, warm cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg. The ingredients are straightforward and the method is simple: mix the dry ingredients, blend the wet ingredients, fold everything together, then stir in apples and pecans before baking. Follow the steps below to see how it’s made and keep the crumb tender and evenly baked.
Ingredients
Dry mix
Step-by-Step Method
Preheat and prep the pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your cake pan with butter; lining the bottom with parchment helps with an easy release.
Mix the dry ingredients
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined and free of lumps.
Cream butter and sugar
Beat butter and sugar until lighter in color. Taking a minute here helps the cake bake up with a more even crumb.
Add eggs, milk, and flavorings
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing briefly after each. Pour in milk, rum, and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth.
Combine wet and dry
Add the dry mix to the wet mix in 2–3 additions. Fold gently just until the flour disappears; don’t overmix or the cake can turn dense.
Fold in apples and pecans
Stir in most of the diced apples and chopped pecans. Save a small handful to sprinkle on top if you like.
Bake
Spread the batter into the pan, level the top, and scatter the reserved pecans. Bake for about 70 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and serve
Let the cake rest in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then move it to a wire rack. Slice once warm; serve plain or with yogurt or ice cream.