Sometimes you just need a simple, satisfying dessert to make an evening more enjoyable. Sometimes you crave something sweet, but somewhat healthy. Sometimes you want something to offer your kids for a snack besides a plate of pretzels or chips. Or sometimes you want your kitchen to have that iconic scent of apples and cinnamon baking away in your oven. That’s when I like to make this apple spice cake. It is still making something from scratch, which is a satisfying and healthy thing to do, but it doesn’t take much thinking, and the margin for error is pretty small (unlike making a pie with a homemade pie crust, which I also really like to do, but mostly only when I have the time and energy). The most time-consuming part of this recipe is peeling and chopping the apples, but even that isn’t too bad, since the recipe calls for just about 4-5 apples (3 cups chopped). This apple cake recipe is something you can pull out in a pinch when you need a comforting dessert or snack, and don’t want to go to too much trouble. It is made up of mostly basic things I usually have on hand. The wheat germ is the only ingredient that may not be a staple for everyone, though I like to keep it on hand to add to smoothies and muffins. Wheat germ gives this apple cake a little extra heartiness and lots of health benefits, since it is full of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. Of course, if you have a wheat allergy, this cake is probably not for you, but otherwise, I highly recommend it as a delicious, cozy, simple dessert.
Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients:
- 3 cups apples, peeled and chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with butter. In a medium mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla, and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the flour mixture to the butter/egg mixture. Stir in the apples and wheat germ. Stir until just combined. Pour and spoon the batter into the baking dish. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the cake is lightly brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with vanilla ice cream or on its own. Enjoy!
Looks so comforting!
Thank you! It is–there is something so comforting to me about apples and cinnamon.
Perfect for this time of year xx
Thanks, Melissa. It is a good way to warm up!
This cake looks so delicious, I love apples and cinnamon (I mean who doesn’t?!) and this cake looks like it definitely delivers that flavour well. I’m always a big fan of something sweet that I can put together easily and not have to worry too much about how many calories I’m eating!
I’d love a nice big slice of this with a cup of tea or hot chocolate, preferably by a wood burning fire!
Thanks for sharing it with us at Fiesta Friday, have a lovely weekend x
Thank you so much, Michelle. Yes, a hot cup of tea goes nicely with this cake. Hope you have a good weekend too. 🙂
Yummo- – just the recipe I needed my son & his girl are dropping in today & it’s a COLD RAINY DAY here (summer – what summer)
Oh good–this will work for a rainy summer day too! Good to hear from you!
Thanks – its been a rough road of late. But thats life somtimes….good to touch base with you again too(:
I hope the road smooths out for you for awhile!
Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog-if brought me here and made me hungry 😉
What a great cake, I haven’t seen wheat germ used in a long time!
Ginger x
Thanks for visiting my blog as well, Ginger!
Thank you so much!